Effects of ginsenosides Re and Rg3 on intracellular redox state and cell proliferation in C6 glioma cells

BACKGROUND Cellular redox state is important to cell growth and death. The growth of tumor cells may be modulated by intracellular reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG). The present study aims to investigate the effects of ginsenosides Re and Rg3 on cellular redox state and cell proliferation in C6 glioma cells. METHODS Cultured C6 glioma cells were exposed to various concentrations of either Rg3 or Re for 24 hours. Cell growth and death were measured by the BrdU incorporation assay and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay respectively. Cellular redox state was determined by free radical production using flow cytometry and GSH/GSSG using spectrofluorometry. RESULTS At a sub-lethal concentration, Re suppressed cell proliferation with a significant decrease in BrdU incorporation. Re did not increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production but increased GSH/GSSG via increased activity of gamma glutamylcystenyl synthase (gamma-GCS). In contrast, Rg3 increased free radical production and reduced GSH/GSSG. The effects of Rg3 were probably due to increased activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx). CONCLUSION Re and Rg3 alter cellular redox state of C6 glioma cells in opposite directions. Changes in cellular redox state induced by Re and Rg3 are correlated with the proliferation rates of C6 glioma cells.