Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on proliferation and differentiation of rat embryonic cortical neural stem cells

• Published in: Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 2016-05, Vol.79 (5), p.256-263
• Main Authors: Si, Yinchu, Zhu, Jun, Huang, Xiang, Zhu, Peichun, Xie, Chune
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; basic fibroblast growth factor; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - analysis; cell culture; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; embryonic rat; Embryonic Stem Cells - cytology; Embryonic Stem Cells - drug effects; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - analysis; Internal Medicine; neural stem cells; Neural Stem Cells - cytology; Neural Stem Cells - drug effects; Panax; Panax notoginseng; Panax notoginseng saponins; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen - analysis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Saponins - pharmacology; Vimentin - analysis
• ISSN: 1726-4901; 1728-7731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcma.2015.10.011

Abstract Background We aimed to study the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on the proliferation, differentiation, self-renewal, and expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rat embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs). Methods Cortical stem cells were isolated from rat embryos on Embryonic Day 17 (E17) and identified by nestin expression. Subsequently, primary culture, subculturing, and single cell cloning were performed on the cells. After the first cell passage (P1), the cells were resuspended and divided into a control group and a treatment group. Control cells were cultured in serum-free basal culture medium with B27 and dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM)/F12. The same medium supplemented with PNS (100 μg/mL) was used to culture cells in the treatment group. Both groups were incubated at 37°C in a 5% CO2 incubator. Immunocytochemistry was performed 4 days after incubation. Results Primary, P1, and P2 cells in the treatment group formed neurospheres, as did single cell clones of the P1 cells in this group. After being cultured for 4 days, the number of nestin-, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-, Tuj-1-, neurofilament (NF)-, vimentin-, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-, bFGF-, and BDNF-positive cells significantly increased in the treatment group in comparison to the control group. All positively stained cells could form clear clusters. Conclusion PNS can promote rat embryonic cortical NSC survival, self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation through neurotrophic factors by autocrine or paracrine signaling.