OBJECTIVETo observe whether ginsenoside Rg1 could reduce the infarcted area and improve the heart function by path of promoting bone marrow stem cells differentiated to vascular endothelial cells (VECs).

METHODSBone marrow was drawn from rabbit's ilium and labelled with red fluorochrome DiI, then it was transferred again into the rabbit's body. The rabbits was then made into myocardiac infarction model. The model rabbits were divided into the control group and the ginsenoside Rgl treated group (treated group). The infracted area at two weeks, and the left ventricular function at one and two weeks after infarction were determined respectively. The DiI positive cell rate of myelogenetic cells in ischmia area and CD31 positive cell rate of VECs were determined by confocal microscopy. Myocardial interstitial granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(GCSF) levels during ischemia and reperfusion period were determined also.

RESULTSDiI positive rate of CD31 staining positive cells in the treated group was obviously increased, and the concentration of G-CSF in myocardium interstitial obviously increased, accompanied with obviously improving of heart function and obviously reducing of infarcted area.

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rgl could stimulate the G-CSF secretion in local myocardiac tissues, thus to induce bone marrow mononuclear cells migrate to myocadial tissue and further differentiate to VECs. The regeneration of endothelium cells show certain direct action in promoting capillary regeneration of infarcted myocardium tissue and maintaining the blood supply.