Panax ginseng Extract Improves Follicular Development after Mouse Preantral Follicle 3D Culture

Majdi Seghinsara, Abbas; Shoorei, Hamed; Hassanzadeh Taheri, Mohammad Mehdi; Khaki, Arash; Shokoohi, Majid; Tahmasebi, Moloud; Khaki, Amir Afshin; Eyni, Hossein; Ghorbani, Sadegh; Riahi Rad, Khadijeh; Kalarestaghi, Hossein; Roshangar, Leila

doi:10.22074/cellj.2019.5733

Panax ginseng Extract Improves Follicular Development after Mouse Preantral Follicle 3D Culture

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

² Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran;Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

³ Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

⁴ Department of Pathology, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran

⁵ 4Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

⁶ 5Department of Horticulture Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

⁷ 6Research laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences and Pathology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran

⁸ 7Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

10.22074/cellj.2019.5733

Abstract

Objective
Panax ginseng is a popular traditional herb that has been used in complementary and alternative medicine in eastern Asia, and it possesses pharmacologically active compounds like ginsenosides (GSs). This study aimed to investigate the impact of Panax ginseng extract (PGE) at different concentrations on in vitro follicular function and development in a three-dimensional (3D) culture system fabricated using sodium alginate after 12 days of culture.
Materials and Methods
In this experimental study, preantral follicles (n=661) were mechanically isolated from the ovaries of 14-day-old female NMRI mice using 29-gauge insulin syringes. Follicles were individually capsulated within sodium alginate, and divided into four groups including control and experimental groups 1, 2, and 3. Then, they were cultured for 12 days in the medium supplemented with different concentrations of PGE (0, 50, 100, and 500 µg/ mL, for control groups and groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively). At the end of the culture period, the mean diameter and maturation of follicles, follicular steroid production, mRNA expression level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in collected metaphase-II (MII) oocytes were determined.
Results
The mean diameter of follicles in group 2 was significantly increased as compared to other groups (P < 0.001). The percentages of the survival and maturation rate and levels of secreted hormones were higher in group 2 than the other groups (P < 0.05). Follicles cultured in the presence of PGE 100 µg/mL had higher levels of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) mRNA expression in comparison to other groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, oocytes collected from groups 2 and 3 had lower levels of ROS as compared to other groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that PGE at the concentration of 100 µg/mL induces higher follicular function and development in the 3D culture system.

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