The effects and mechanisms of a biosynthetic ginsenoside 3β,12β-Di-O-Glc-PPD on non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: A biosynthetic ginsenoside, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-12-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-dammar-24-ene-3β, 12β, 20S-triol (C(3)C(12)PPD), showed antitumor activity against many tumor cells in vitro, especially had better anti-lung cancer activity than Rg3 in vitro and in vivo. However, the effects and molecular mechanisms of C(3)C(12)PPD on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. According to previous studies, we hypothesized ginsenoside C(3)C(12)PPD could inhibit the tumor growth of NSCLC by targeting proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. METHODS: A thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) was performed to evaluate cell viability. Additionally, Transwell and tube formation assays were conducted to analyze cell migration and angiogenesis. The Lewis and A549 tumor xenograft experiments were also performed to investigate the effects of C(3)C(12)PPD on tumor growth in vivo, Western blotting and IHC assay were performed to analyze protein expression. RESULTS: C(3)C(12)PPD could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells, and tube formation of EA.hy926 cell. Ginsenoside C(3)C(12)PPD suppressed Lewis and A549 tumor growth in vivo without obvious side effects on body weight and the hematology index. In addition, the Western blot analysis revealed that the effects of C(3)C(12)PPD on lung cancer were mediated by inhibiting Raf/MEK/ERK, AKT/mTOR and AKT/GSK-3β/β-Catenin signaling pathways. Finally, C(3)C(12)PPD could significantly inhibit the proliferation index and vessel number in Lewis xenograft tumors analyzed by IHC. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that ginsenoside C(3)C(12)PPD may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate compound against NSCLC.