Ginsenoside Rg2 Attenuates Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt Pathway

Abstract Doxorubicin, sold under the brand name Adriamycin among others, is an important drug for cancer therapy; however, its use limited by cardiotoxicity. Ginsenoside Rg2 extracted from Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., Araliaceae, which believed to have cardioprotective properties. However, date, there been no reports on whether ginsenoside could protect cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin. In this study, we investigated action and underlying mechanisms of cardioprotection upon doxorubicin treatment. Cell counting kit-8 was used determine cell viability; in addition, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining detect apoptotic cells. Western blotting investigate relevant pathways. LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, also study. significantly ( p < 0.01) neutralized cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced dose-dependent manner, but effect blocked LY294002. Furthermore, upregulated protein kinase B phosphorylation through 3-kinase/protein pathway inhibited p53 expression. These results suggest that attenuate doxorubicin-induced via pathway. Graphical abstract