Preparation of ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes and evaluating its protective effect on models of Parkinson’s disease
- 1Center for Mitochondria and Healthy Aging, College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
- 2School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
Abstract
Ginsenoside Rg3 (Gs-Rg3), a bioactive component of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., shows neuroprotective potential in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the therapeutic efficacy of Gs-Rg3 is constrained by its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability. This study aimed to develop ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes (Rg3-Lips) and investigate their neuroprotective effects and mechanisms on PD models. Rg3-Lips were prepared by the thin-film dispersion method. In vitro, SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and treated with Rg3-Lips. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, molecules in Nrf2/GCLM and Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 pathways were assessed. In vivo, PD mice were treated with Rg3-Lips or Gs-Rg3. Motor functions were evaluated and dopaminergic nerve, apoptosis, GSH, and relevant proteins in substantia nigra and striatum were analyzed. Optimized Rg3-Lips exhibited a mean particle size of 170.78 nm, an encapsulation efficiency of 93.33%, and a zeta potential of −1.92 mV. In vitro, Rg3-Lips significantly increased cell viability, reduced LDH release and ROS levels, upregulated levels of nuclear Nrf2, GCLM and downregulated Cleaved Caspase-3 expression. In vivo, Rg3-Lips improved motor functions of PD mice, increased TH-positive neurons and fibers in the substantia nigra and striatum, reduced apoptosis, elevated GSH levels, and modulated Nrf2/GCLM and Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 protein expression, showing better efficacy than Gs-Rg3. In summary, Rg3-Lips exerted neuroprotective effects in experimental PD models, suggesting its potential neuroprotective and therapeutic effects in experimental PD models. Furthermore, Rg3-Lips led to improved pharmacological effects over the conventional active pharmaceutical ingredient.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026preparation,
title = {{Preparation of ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes and evaluating its protective effect on models of Parkinson’s disease}},
author = {Xiaohan Zhang and Zhuohui Zhang and Yuan Du and Xue Jia and Rongcai Liang and Bing Han and Fenghua Fu and Tian Wang},
journal = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fcell.2026.1963330},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2026.1963330},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Preparation of ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes and evaluating its protective effect on models of Parkinson’s disease
AU - Xiaohan Zhang
AU - Zhuohui Zhang
AU - Yuan Du
AU - Xue Jia
AU - Rongcai Liang
AU - Bing Han
AU - Fenghua Fu
AU - Tian Wang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
DO - 10.3389/fcell.2026.1963330
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2026.1963330
AB - Ginsenoside Rg3 (Gs-Rg3), a bioactive component of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., shows neuroprotective potential in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the therapeutic efficacy of Gs-Rg3 is constrained by its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability. This study aimed to develop ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes (Rg3-Lips) and investigate their neuroprotective effects and mechanisms on PD models. Rg3-Lips were prepared by the thin-film dispersion method. In vitro, SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and treated with Rg3-Lips. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, molecules in Nrf2/GCLM and Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 pathways were assessed. In vivo, PD mice were treated with Rg3-Lips or Gs-Rg3. Motor functions were evaluated and dopaminergic nerve, apoptosis, GSH, and relevant proteins in substantia nigra and striatum were analyzed. Optimized Rg3-Lips exhibited a mean particle size of 170.78 nm, an encapsulation efficiency of 93.33%, and a zeta potential of −1.92 mV. In vitro, Rg3-Lips significantly increased cell viability, reduced LDH release and ROS levels, upregulated levels of nuclear Nrf2, GCLM and downregulated Cleaved Caspase-3 expression. In vivo, Rg3-Lips improved motor functions of PD mice, increased TH-positive neurons and fibers in the substantia nigra and striatum, reduced apoptosis, elevated GSH levels, and modulated Nrf2/GCLM and Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 protein expression, showing better efficacy than Gs-Rg3. In summary, Rg3-Lips exerted neuroprotective effects in experimental PD models, suggesting its potential neuroprotective and therapeutic effects in experimental PD models. Furthermore, Rg3-Lips led to improved pharmacological effects over the conventional active pharmaceutical ingredient.
SN - 2296-634X
ER -