Integrated LC-MS/MS Method and Network Pharmacology for Exploring the Mechanism of Neuroprotective Effect of Ginsenoside Rc in Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reperfusion Injury

• Published in: Revista brasileira de farmacognosia 2021-04, Vol.31 (2), p.207-216
• Main Authors: Huang, Mingmin, Chen, Shaoru, Zheng, Kening, Liu, Qu, Li, Kening, Xian, Minghua, Wang, Shumei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicine; Original Article; Pharmacy
• ISSN: 1981-528X; 1981-528X
• DOI: 10.1007/s43450-021-00145-6

Ginsenoside Rc is one of the active components of “nao-mai-tong,” which is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription widely used in the treatment of cerebral ischemia. Ginsenoside Rc has remarkable effects on the protection of the nervous system, but the molecular mechanism underlying its neuroprotective activity remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to integrate serum and network pharmacology to investigate the neuroprotective effect and potential mechanism of this ginsenoside for ischemic stroke. In this study, ginsenoside Rc was identified by liquid chromatography–Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry system in the “nao-mai-tong” decoction. Network pharmacology and molecular docking simulation were employed to predict the potential targets and pharmacological mechanisms of ginsenoside Rc. Finally, oxygen-glucose deprivation reperfusion model of neuronal damage was induced in PC12 cells for verification of the decoction activity. Ginsenoside Rc was identified in “nao-mai-tong”-containing plasma and the analysis of bioinformatics indicated its key targets to be TNF-α and DRP-1. Besides, ginsenoside Rc reversed the alterations of TNF-α and DRP-1 level after oxygen-glucose deprivation reperfusion injury in a dose-dependent manner as indicated by experiments with antagonists. Graphical Abstract