Preparation of ginsenoside Rg3 and protection against H2O 2-induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells

The aim of this study is to evaluate the protection of ginsenoside rg3 against oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma sk-n-sh cells. 20(r)-ginsenoside rg3 (20(r)-rg3) and 20(s)-ginsenoside rg3 (20(s)-rg3) were prepared by the method of chemical degradation and column chromatography,and the structure of the two compounds was characterized by 1h-nmr and 13c-nmr spectroscopy. mtt assay and ldh leakage assay were used to determine the cell viability and the oxidative stress cellular model was established by means of h2o2 (600 m for 4 h). we also investigated the changes of intracellular mda content,sod activity,and ros formation after the treatment of ginsenoside rg3 for 20 h. the results indicated that both 20 (r)-rg3 and 20 (s)-rg3 had obvious protection against h2o2-induced oxidative stress in sk-n-sh cells. moreover,20(r)-rg3 exhibited better antioxidant activity than 20(s)-rg3 in vitro. these findings are expected to provide some implication for further research and application of ginsenoside rg3 in neuroprotection. © 2014 gang li et al.