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Ginsenosides May Enhance the Functionality of Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Cardiomyocytes In Vitro

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Abstract

Various chemicals have been reported to induce the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into cardiomyocytes (CMs), however, their contributions to the functionality of hESC-derived CMs are still limited. In this study, we evaluated the effects of red ginseng extract (RGE), ginsenoside-Rb1 (gRb1, panaxadiol), and ginsenoside-Re (gRe, panaxatriol) on the differentiation of hESCs and the functionality of derived CMs. Undifferentiated hESCs were treated with 0.25 mg/mL RGE, 10 μmol/L gRb1, or 10 μmol/L gRe for 48 hours at the differentiation induction (early stage) or maturation (late stage) period. The expression of mesodermal and cardiac transcription factor genes was upregulated in the ginsenoside-treated groups from early stage. The expression of cardiac sarcomeric genes was significantly upregulated at the late stage. The gRb1- and gRe-treated groups upregulated the expression of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily E member 1 (KCNE1) and the gRe-treated group showed a longer beating duration compared to the control. Taken together, ginsenosides may enhance the functionality of hESC-derived CMs in vitro.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

    Yoon Young Kim, Seung-Yup Ku, Seok Hyun Kim & Young Min Choi

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

    Yoon Young Kim, Seung-Yup Ku, Seok Hyun Kim & Young Min Choi

  3. Choate Rosemary Hall, New Haven, CT, USA

    Jun Beom Ku

  4. Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Cornell University Weill Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Hung Ching Liu

Authors
  1. Yoon Young Kim
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  2. Jun Beom Ku
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  3. Hung Ching Liu
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  4. Seung-Yup Ku
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  5. Seok Hyun Kim
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  6. Young Min Choi
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Correspondence to Seung-Yup Ku.

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Kim, Y.Y., Ku, J.B., Liu, H.C. et al. Ginsenosides May Enhance the Functionality of Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Cardiomyocytes In Vitro. Reprod. Sci. 21, 1312–1318 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719114525269

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719114525269

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