[Study on molecular target promoting human neural stem cells of ginsenoside Rg1 by gene chip].

Objective: To screen out main molecular target promoting human neural stem cells (NSCs) of ginsenoside Rg1 by using the gene chip technology.

Method: First, MTT assay was adopted to screen out the optimal concentration of Rg1-promoted NSC proliferation (120 mg x L(-1)). Then, on the 7th day after the Rg1-promoted NSC proliferation, the expression of target genes was observed by the gene chip technology. The most important target gene and signal transduction pathways were screened out through the data calculations.

Result: On the 7th day after the Rg1-promoted NSC proliferation, obtained 440 differential genes, 266 significantly upregulated genes and 174 significantly down-regulated genes. HES1 gene, CAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate)-PKA (protein kinase A) and PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase)-AKT signal transduction pathways were closely related to the NSC proliferation.

Conclusion: The differentially expressed genes screened out by gene chip may provide new clues for studies on molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1-promoted NSCs proliferation.