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Ginsenoside Compound K Promotes Proliferation, Migration and Differentiation of Schwann Cells via the Activation of MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT Pathways

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Abstract

The proliferation and differentiation of Schwann cells are critical for the remyelination of injured peripheral nerve. Ginsenoside compound K (CK) is a metabolite produced from ginsenoside Rb1 which has strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, the potential effects of CK on Schwann cells have not been studied systematically before. Therefore, this study was aimed to explore the functions of CK in Schwann cell proliferation, migration and differentiation and its potential regulatory mechanism. Primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells were treated with or without CK at different doses. The proliferation and migration of primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays, respectively. The mRNA expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and myelin basic protein (MBP) was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The levels of all proteins were examined by Western blot. CK could promote cell proliferation, migration and induce MAG and MBP expression in primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells. Furthermore, CK activated MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT pathways, and the beneficial effects of CK on primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells were distinctly suppressed by inhibitor PD98059 or LY294002. Ginsenoside compound K induced cell proliferation, migration and differentiation via the activation of MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT pathways in cultured primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells.

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Data Availability

The analyzed data sets generated during the present study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Author notes

  1. Hao Wang and Fangfei Qu have contribute to this work equally as co-first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College, Mouping District, Yantai city, Shandong Province, China

    Hao Wang, Ting Xin, Wei Sun & Huimin He

  2. Special Examination Department of Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College, Muping District, Yantai, Shandong, China

    Fangfei Qu

  3. Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Yantai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 XingFu Road in Zhifu District, Yantai, 264000, China

    Lijun Du

Authors
  1. Hao Wang
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  2. Fangfei Qu
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  3. Ting Xin
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  4. Wei Sun
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  5. Huimin He
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Correspondence to Lijun Du.

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The present study was approved by the ethical review committee of Yantai hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine. Written informed consent was obtained from all enrolled patients.

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Wang, H., Qu, F., Xin, T. et al. Ginsenoside Compound K Promotes Proliferation, Migration and Differentiation of Schwann Cells via the Activation of MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT Pathways. Neurochem Res 46, 1400–1409 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-021-03279-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-021-03279-0

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