EFFECT OF GINSENOSIDES ON DIFFERENTIATION OF MOUSE ASCITES RETICULOCYTE SARCOMA ARS CELLS / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Our study demonstrated that ARS cells can be induced to differentiate into macrophage-like cells with changes in phenotype, nonspecific esterase activity and phagocytic function by adding ginsenosides in short-term cultures. Synthesis of DNA, mitosis and the growth of the culture cells transplanted in mouse are also inhibited in this condition. The size of cells, nuclei and nucleoli, as well as nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio of ginsenosides treated cells are diminished significantly. Microvilli of these cells are reduced in number with formation of. ruffles on the cell surface. Mitochondria are increased, their size and distribution become regular. The fact that numerous small cells, induced by ginsenosides exhibit the most conspicuous alteration mentioned above along with marked phagocytic activity indicates that they are highly differentiated macrophage-like cells. Whether the inhibition of cell growth and induction of differentiation by ginsenosides is caused through its action on the molecules regulating the gene expression of cell growth and differentiation needs further study.