Ginsenoside Rg1 reduces toxicity of fine particulate matter on human alveolar epithelial cells: A preliminary observation.

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is a significant environmental pollutant responsible for a number of human diseases. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) is likely to have the potential to relieve PM_2.5-induced cell injury. The present study is designed to preliminarily observe the harmful effect of PM_2.5 and the protective effect of Rg1 against PM_2.5 on human A549 lung epithelial cells in vitro. The cytotoxic effects of the PM_2.5 or Rg1 on A549 cells were measured by means of cell viability, and then exposure concentration of PM_2.5 and pretreatment concentration of Rg1 used in the following assays were established. The A549 cells were pretreated with Rg1 for 1 h and then exposed to PM_2.5 for 24 h. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell culture supernatant and malondialdehyde (MDA) within the cells were assayed. The present results revealed that 200-1,200 μg/ml of PM_2.5 decreased the viability of A549 cells significantly in a concentration-dependent manner; however, 50-400 μg/ml of Rg1 had no significant effect. Pretreatment with 100, 200 or 400 μg/ml Rg1 significantly diminished the 200 μg/ml PM_2.5-induced A549 cell viability and decreased LDH leakage and MDA generation in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicated that PM_2.5 induced cell injury and Rg1, antagonized PM_2.5-induced cell injury to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]