Ginsenoside Rb1 prevents steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head through the bone morphogenetic protein-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor pathway

Abstract

At present, the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect of Ginsenoside Rbl remains unclear. The present study was designed to investigate whether Ginsenoside Rbl weakened the steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) and to explore the possible mechanisms of the above effects. As a result, it was revealed that Ginsenoside Rbl was protective against steroid-induced avascular necrosis and inhibited serum osteocalcin in a rat model of SANFH. Ginsenoside Rbl reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and bone cell apoptosis in a rat model of SANFH. Furthermore, Ginsenoside Rbl attenuated trabecula parameters, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein in SANFH rat. Additionally, Ginsenoside Rbl significantly reversed alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin activities, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, VEGF, Runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 protein expression in SANFH rat. Collectively, the present study demonstrated that Ginsenoside Rbl attenuated SANFH through the VEGF/RUNX2/BMP-2 signaling pathway.