Ginsenoside Rb1 relieves glucose fluctuation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in Schwann cells

Cultured Schwann cells were treated with 5.6 mM and 50 mM glucose alternating every 8 hours to simulate intermittent high glucose. The present study analyzed the neuroprotective effects of 1, 10 and 100 mu M ginsenoside Rb1 on oxidative damage and apoptosis in Schwann cells induced by intermittent high glucose. Flow cytometry demonstrated that ginsenoside Rb1 reduced intermittent high glucose-mediated reactive oxygen species production. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay showed that 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine levels in Schwann cells decreased following ginsenoside Rb1 treatment. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR and western blot assay results revealed that ginsenoside Rb1 inhibited intermittent high glucose-upregulated Bax expression, but antagonized intermittent high glucose-downregulated Bcl-2 expression in Schwann cells. These effects were most pronounced with 100 mu M ginsenoside Rb1. These results indicate that ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits intermittent high glucose-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in Schwann cells.