20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 as aldose reductase inhibitor from Panax ginseng

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2014 Sep 15;24(18):4407-4409. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.08.009. Epub 2014 Aug 12.

Abstract

The root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) is a well-known herbal medicine in East Asia. The major bioactive metabolites in this root are commonly identified as ginsenosides. A series of ginsenosides were determined for in vitro human recombinant aldose reductase. This Letter aims to clarify the structural requirement for aldose reductase inhibition. We discovered that only ginsenoside 20(S)-Rh2 showed potent against aldose reductase, with an IC50 of 147.3 μM. These results implied that the stereochemistry of the hydroxyl group at C-20 may play an important role in aldose reductase inhibition. An understanding of these requirements is considered necessary in order to develop a new type of aldose reductase inhibitor. Furthermore, P. ginseng might be an important herbal medicine in preventing diabetic complications.

Keywords: Aldose reductase inhibitor; Ginsenoside; Panax ginseng; Structure–activity relationships.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde Reductase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Aldehyde Reductase / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / isolation & purification
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Ginsenosides / chemistry
  • Ginsenosides / isolation & purification
  • Ginsenosides / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Ginsenosides
  • ginsenoside Rh2
  • Aldehyde Reductase