Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on lidocaine-induced apoptosis

Lidocaine, as an anesthetic substance, is often used for surface and spinal anesthesia. However, studies have shown that lidocaine may induce transient neurological symptoms and cauda equina syndrome. In the present study the effects of the ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) on lidocaine‑induced apoptosis were assessed in Jurkat cells using flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The data showed that incubation with Rg1 provides protection against lidocaine‑induced apoptosis in cultured Jurkat cells. In order to investigate the effect of Rg1 on the apoptosis pathway, caspase 3 gene expression was determined. The results suggested that the protective effect of Rg1 on lidocaine‑induced apoptosis is mediated by altering the level of B‑cell lymphoma‑2 (BCL‑2) family proteins and downregulating caspase‑3 expression. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that incubation with Rg1 provides protection against lidocaine‑induced apoptosis in cultured Jurkat cells. In addition, the study demonstrated that Rg1 is a notable antiapoptotic molecule that is capable of blocking the caspase‑dependent signaling cascade in Jurkat cells, and that the protective effect of Rg1 on lidocaine‑induced apoptosis is mediated by altering levels of BCL‑2 family proteins and downregulating caspase‑3 expression. The present study provides the basis for understanding and evaluating the effect of Rg1 in the in vivo treatment of lidocaine-induced transient neurological symptoms and cauda equina syndrome by lidocaine.