Ginsenoside Rb1 is a natural active ingredient extracted from ginseng that can modulate the activity of multiple signaling pathways. Ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity (IC₅₀=6.3±1.0μM). Ginsenoside Rb1 can be used in research on diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and asthma[1-4].
In vitro, WI-38 cells were treated with Ginsenoside Rb1 (20–30μM) and LPS (2.5–10mg/ml) for 24h. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly reversed the LPS-induced decrease in cell viability, apoptosis, and production of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α); Ginsenoside Rb1 downregulated miR-222 expression and inhibited NF-κB pathway activation[5]. HUVECs were pretreated with Ginsenoside Rb1 (10–20μM) for 30min, followed by stimulation with H₂O₂ (60μM) for 1h and then cultured for another 24h. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly reduced the number of SA-β-gal-positive cells and PAI-1 expression, while increasing eNOS expression and NO production, and restored SIRT1 expression and AMPK phosphorylation[6].
In vivo, aged C57BL/6J mice received intraperitoneal injections of Ginsenoside Rb1 (20mg/kg; 6 days per week) for 6 weeks. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly alleviated age-related aortic structural remodeling and DNA damage[7]. In ovariectomized C57BL/6J mice, Ginsenoside Rb1 (12.5 or 50mg/kg; single or 7 days) was administered intraperitoneally 1 hour before ISO (200mg/kg) treatment. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly attenuated ISO-induced myocardial injury and cardiomyocyte necrosis[8].
References:
[1] Cao J, Zheng YQ, Liu TP, et al. Inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 on rat brain microsomal Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1990 Jan;11(1):10-4.
[2] Zhang J, Cao L, Wang H, et al. Ginsenosides Regulate PXR/NF-κB Signaling and Attenuate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis. Drug Metab Dispos. 2015 Aug;43(8):1181-9.
[3] Joh EH, Lee IA, Jung IH, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 and its metabolite compound K inhibit IRAK-1 activation--the key step of inflammation. Biochem Pharmacol. 2011 Aug 1;82(3):278-86.
[4] He S, Ye H, Wang Q, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 targets to HO-1 to improve sepsis by inhibiting ferroptosis. Free Radic Biol Med. 2025 Jan;226:13-28.
[5] Wei E, Fang X, Jia P, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Injury by Downregulating miR-222 in WI-38 Cells. Cell Transplant. 2021 Jan-Dec;30:9636897211002787.
[6] Zheng Z, Wang M, Cheng C, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 reduces H2O2‑induced HUVEC dysfunction by stimulating the sirtuin‑1/AMP‑activated protein kinase pathway. Mol Med Rep. 2020 Jul;22(1):247-256.
[7] Si Q, Wu L, Zhang X, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates arterial aging by reducing DNA damage in aged mice. Exp Gerontol. 2026 Feb;214:113011.
[8] Wang Y, Tang X, Cui J, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 mitigates acute catecholamine surge-induced myocardial injuries in part by suppressing STING-mediated macrophage activation. Biomed Pharmacother. 2024 Jun;175:116794.