Effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 on inflammatory reaction and odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cell

Ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1) has been reported to diminish inflammation associated with diseases. We investigated the effect of G-Rb1 on the inflammatory reactions and the odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). G-Rb1 affected the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, as these showed reduced levels with exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Additionally, less mRNA and protein expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were shown. G-Rb1 suppressed the LPS-induced increase of cell adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines, while also inhibiting PI3K/Akt, phosphorylation of NF-κB transcription factors, ERK and JNK of MAPK signaling in hDPCs. Human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) treated with 10 μg/mL of G-Rb1 for 5 days, hDPCs cultivated in alpha minimum essential medium (α-MEM) for 5 days, and untreated hDPCs were analyzed using RNA-seq.