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Ginsenoside Rh2 alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis via augmenting TGFβ signaling

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Abstract

Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) has been reported to have therapeutic effects on various diseases. However, whether it may also affect the recovery from ulcerative colitis remains unknown. Here we induced colitis in mice by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration, and then treated the mice with GRh2. We found that GRh2-treated mice showed significant alleviation of the DSS-induced colitis. Moreover, significant increase in the activity of TGFβ signaling was detected in the GRh2-treated colon that had received DSS. To investigate whether there is a causative link among GRh2 treatment, TGFβ signaling augment and the cure of colitis, we gave the DSS-treated mice a combination of GRh2 and a specific TGFβ receptor I inhibitor, SB431542. SB431542 significantly decreased the activation of TGFβ signaling in the colon from the GRh2-administrated mice, and consequently attenuated the therapeutic effect of GRh2. Our data thus demonstrate that GRh2 may alleviate DSS-induced colitis via augmenting TGFβ signaling.

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Abbreviations

Ginsenoside Rh2:

GRh2

DSS:

Dextran sulfate sodium

TGF:

Transforming growth factor

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81173240), Science and Technology Fund of Guangdong (2011B031700065), Fund of Guangdong Medical College (Z2013001 and B2013019).

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The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, Guangdong Medical College, 2 Wenming East Road, Zhanjiang, 524023, Guangdong, China

    Hua Ye, Qiong Wu, Yuzhen Zhu, Cancan Guo & Xuebao Zheng

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  1. Hua Ye
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  2. Qiong Wu
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  3. Yuzhen Zhu
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  4. Cancan Guo
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  5. Xuebao Zheng
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Correspondence to Hua Ye.

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Ye, H., Wu, Q., Zhu, Y. et al. Ginsenoside Rh2 alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis via augmenting TGFβ signaling. Mol Biol Rep 41, 5485–5490 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3422-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3422-0

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