Ginsenoside Rgl promotes endothelial progenitor cell migration and proliferation

Aim： To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rgl on the migration, adhesion, proliferation, and VEGF expression of endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs）. Methods： EPCs were isolated from human peripheral blood and incubated with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rgl （0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 μmol/L） and vehicle controls. EPC migration was detected with a modified Boyden chamber assay. EPC adhesion was determined by counting adherent cells on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. EPC proliferation was analyzed with the 3.（4,5.dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay. In vitro vasculogenesis was assayed using an in vitro vasculogenesis detection kit. A VEGF-ELISA kit was used to measure the amount of VEGF protein in the cell culture medium. Results： Ginsenoside Rgl promoted EPC adhesion, proliferation, migration and in vitro vasculogenesis in a dose- and timedependent manner. Cell cycle analysis showed that 5.0 μmol/L ofginsenoside Rgl significantly increased the EPC proliferative phase （S phase） and decreased the resting phase （G0/G1 phase）. Ginsenoside Rgl increased vascular endothelial growth factor production. Conclusion： The results indicate that ginsenoside Rgl promotes proliferation, migration, adhesion and in vitro vasculogenesis.