Ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion- induced liver injury by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is an important event in the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The aim of this study is to determine the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on liver injury induced by intestinal I/R in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) a control, sham-operated group (sham group); (2) an intestinal I/R group subjected to 1 h intestinal ischemia and 2 h reperfusion (I/R group); (3) a group treated with 20 mg/kg ginsenoside Rb1 before reperfusion (Rb1-20 group); and (4) a group treated with 40 mg/kg ginsenoside Rb1 before reperfusion (Rb1-40 group). Liver and intestinal histology was observed. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in serum and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in intestinal tissues were measured. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), TNF-alpha, MDA level and immunohistochemical expression of NF-kgr;B and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in liver tissues was assayed. In addition, a western blot analysis of liver NF-kappaB expression was performed. Results indicated intestinal I/R induced intestinal and liver injury, which was characterized by increase of AST and ALT in serum, MDA level in intestine, MPO, TNF-alpha and MDA level and ICAM-1 and NF-kappaB expression in the liver tissues. Ginsenoside Rb1 (20, 40 mg/kg) ameliorated liver injury, decreased MPO, TNF-alpha and MDA level, NF-kappaB and ICAM-1 expression in liver tissues. In conclusion, ginsenoside Rb1 ablated liver injury induced by intestinal I/R by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.