人参皂苷Rg1对脑缺血再灌注大鼠Caspase-3蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨人参皂苷Rg1对脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑组织半胱氨酸天冬氨酸酶3(Caspase-3)表达的影响。方法将大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、人参皂苷Rg110、20、40mg/kg组、尼莫地平组,每组10只。采用线栓法栓塞大脑中动脉2h制作大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型;观察再灌注22h后神经功能缺损评分;应用免疫组化、免疫印迹法检测大脑皮层缺血半暗带Caspase-3的表达。结果(1)假手术组、模型组、人参皂苷Rg110、20、40mg/kg组和尼莫地平组神经功能缺损评分分别为0、2.8±0.9、2.1±0.9、1.5±0.7、1.3±1.1、1.5±0.7,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。人参皂苷Rg120、40mg/kg组与模型组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);人参皂苷Rg110mg/kg组与尼莫地平组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);人参皂苷Rg120、40mg/kg组与尼莫地平组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)免疫组化和免疫印迹结果显示各组大鼠皮层缺血半暗带均有Caspase-3的表达,其中假手术组仅有少量表达,模型组表达最多。与模型组比较,人参皂苷Rg1各剂量组及尼莫地平组Caspase-3表达量减少,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);与尼莫地平组比较,人参皂苷Rg110mg/kg组的Caspase-3表达量显著增高,40mg/kg组显著降低(P0.05),而20mg/kg组则差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论人参皂苷Rg1防治脑缺血再灌注的机制与抑制脑组织Caspase-3表达有关,且以高剂量效果较好。     

人参皂苷Rg1对阿尔茨海默症大鼠BDNF⁃TrkB信号通路的影响

为了探究人参皂苷Rg1对阿尔茨海默症（Alzheimer's disease, AD）大鼠模型脑源性神经营养因子/酪氨酸激酶受体B（BDNF-TrkB）信号通路的影响,选取75只SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、低剂量Rg1组、中剂量Rg1组及高剂量Rg1组,每组15只。取各组大鼠脑组织制备脑片,除空白对照组外,其他组加入Aβ1-42试剂制备AD模型,低剂量Rg1组、中剂量Rg1组和高剂量Rg1组分别使用60、120、240 μmol·L^-1 Rg1处理。采用HE染色观察脑组织病理损伤,TUNEL染色检测脑组织细胞凋亡,比色法测定脑片中乙酰胆碱（acetylcholine,Ach）、5-羟色胺（5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT）水平和乙酰胆碱酯酶（acetylcholinesterase,TChE）活力,蛋白质印迹法检测各组脑片中切割后半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3（Cleaved Caspase-3）、B淋巴细胞瘤-2（B cell lymphoma-2,Bcl-2）、Bcl-2相关蛋白X（Bcl-2 associated X protein,Bax）及BDNF-TrkB信号通路相关蛋白表达情况。与空白对照组相比,模型组脑组织细胞凋亡数、Cleaved Caspase-3、Bax/Bcl-2及TChE水平显著增加,5-HT、Ach、BDNF及TrkB蛋白表达量显著降低（P<0.05）;与模型组相比,低剂量Rg1组、中剂量Rg1组和高剂量Rg1组脑组织细胞凋亡数、Cleaved Caspase-3、Bax/Bcl-2及TChE水平显著降低,5-HT、Ach、BDNF及TrkB蛋白表达量显著增加（P<0.05）,且具有剂量依赖性。人参皂苷Rg1可有效保护阿尔茨海默症模型大鼠脑组织,抑制神经细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与激活BDNF-TrkB信号通路相关。通过分析人参皂苷Rg1对AD大鼠模型的保护机制,以期为人参皂苷Rg1用于治疗AD奠定理论基础。     

人参皂甙Rg1对脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑组织Bax和Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨人参皂甙Rg1对脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑组织Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响及其意义。方法分别给大鼠腹腔注射人参皂甙Rg1 10、20、40 mg/kg,采用大脑中动脉闭塞方法建立脑缺血再灌注模型,观察大鼠脑缺血再灌注后不同时间段（2 h、24 h）神经功能缺损评分;应用免疫组化法检测脑组织缺血再灌注24h后Bcl-2、Bax的表达。结果人参皂甙Rg1组大鼠脑缺血后各时间点神经功能缺损评分显著低于单纯缺血再灌注组（P〈0.05）;与单纯缺血再灌注组相比,人参皂甙Rg1各组Bcl-2表达显著增高,Bax表达显著降低,Bcl-2/Bax比值显著上调（P〈0.05）。结论人参皂甙Rg1防治大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的机制可能与促进脑组织Bcl-2表达、抑制Bax表达有关,且以高剂量效果较好。     

人参皂苷Rg1通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响糖尿病大鼠肾损伤的机制研究

摘要 目的：研究人参皂苷Rg1通过Wnt3aβ-catenin信号通路影响糖尿病大鼠肾损伤的机制。方法：将60只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、厄贝沙坦组、人参皂苷Rg1组。模型组、厄贝沙坦组、人参皂苷Rg1组经腹腔注射链脲佐菌素建立糖尿病模型,给予对照组、模型组生理盐水灌胃,厄贝沙坦组接受厄贝沙坦干预,人参皂苷Rg1组接受人参皂苷Rg1干预,各组均连续干预8周。比较各组大鼠血糖血脂水平、Wnt3a/β-catenin表达、肾损伤及肾脏炎症指标。结果：与对照组相比,人参皂苷Rg1组、厄贝沙坦组、模型组空腹血糖、总胆固醇、甘油三酯水平依次升高（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,人参皂苷Rg1组、厄贝沙坦组、模型组Wnt3a、β-catenin表达水平依次升高（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,人参皂苷Rg1组、厄贝沙坦组、模型组血肌酐、尿素氮、24 h尿蛋白水平依次升高（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,人参皂苷Rg1组、厄贝沙坦组、模型组C反应蛋白、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1、肿瘤坏死因子-α水平依次升高（P<0.05）。结论：人参皂苷Rg1可有效调节糖尿病大鼠血糖血脂水平,抑制肾脏炎症反应,缓解肾损伤,调控Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路可能是其发挥作用的重要机制。     

人参皂苷Rg1对MDA诱导小鼠间充质干细胞凋亡的保护作用

目的：观察人参皂苷Rg1 （Ginsenoside Rg1,GS-Rg1）对丙二醛（Malondialdehyde,MDA）诱导的小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（Mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs）凋亡的保护作用,并探讨其作用的可能机制.方法：以不同剂量（10、50、100 mg/L）人参皂苷Rg1预处理24 h,在小鼠骨髓MSC体外培养体系中加入MDA,TUNEL法,流式细胞术检测MSC凋亡率,Q-RT-PCR和Westen印迹分析检测Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3表达.结果：GS-Rg1可以减少TUNEL阳性细胞百分率及亚G1峰凋亡细胞百分率,增加Bcl-2mRNA及蛋白的表达水平,降低Bax和Caspase-3mRNA及蛋白表达水平.结论：GS-Rg1对MDA诱导小鼠间充质干细胞凋亡具有保护作用,其作用机制可能与增加Bc1-2表达,降低Bax和Caspase-3表达有关.     

人参皂苷Rg1促进大鼠急性心肌梗死后血管新生

目的:明确人参皂苷Rg1在大鼠发生急性心肌梗死后是否能够促进心脏血管新生。方法:通过结扎SD大鼠左冠状动脉前降支建立大鼠急性心肌梗死模型,并将60只雄性SD大鼠随机分单纯手术组与人参皂苷Rg1治疗组。治疗组的大鼠造模1 h后将预先配成药液的人参皂甙Rgl按5 rag/(kg·d)剂量腹腔注射,1次/日至处死当日。对照组则腹腔注射等量生理盐水1次/日至处死当日。分别于手术后3、7天时对比两组大鼠的基本生命指标,后通过免疫荧光染色CD31对比观察两组大鼠心脏细胞中CD31的表达来评判血管新生水平。结果:①手术后3天、7天,两组大鼠的体重、心脏重量、心重/体重、鼠尾收缩压、心率比较差异均没有统计学意义(P0.05);②手术后3天、7天,人参皂苷Rg1治疗组心脏CD31表达水平明显高于对照组。结论:人参皂苷Rg1能够促进大鼠急性心肌梗后心脏的血管新生。     

胰岛素抑制Ⅰ型糖尿病模型大鼠脑斜角带核细胞凋亡及学习记忆障碍

目的探索在胰岛素替代治疗下,Ⅰ型糖尿病模型大鼠基底前脑的斜角带核垂直支(VDB)、斜角带核水平支(HDB)凋亡基因Bax与抗凋亡基因Bcl-2表达、细胞凋亡、学习记忆的变化及其相互联系。方法雄性Wistar大鼠随机分成正常组、糖尿病组、胰岛素组、溶剂组。腹腔注射链脲佐菌素来建立Ⅰ型糖尿病模型;以Morris水迷宫检测大鼠的空间记忆能力;免疫组织化学技术检测Bax与Bcl-2的表达;TUNEL染色检测细胞凋亡。结果糖尿病模型大鼠空间记忆能力显著低于正常大鼠;VDB和HDB的Bax蛋白表达显著增加,而Bcl-2蛋白表达显著减少,细胞凋亡数明显增多;而胰岛素处理能显著改善糖尿病模型大鼠的空间记忆能力,翻转VDB和HDB的Bax蛋白及Bcl-2蛋白的异常表达,减少细胞凋亡。结论胰岛素抑制Ⅰ型糖尿病模型大鼠模型大鼠脑斜角带核细胞凋亡并改善学习记忆障碍。     

人参皂苷Rg1抑制大鼠急性心肌梗死后心肌纤维化

目的:观察人参皂苷Rg1对大鼠心肌梗死后心脏纤维化发生的影响。方法:通过结扎SD大鼠左冠状动脉前降支建立大鼠急性心肌梗死模型,并将40只雄性SD大鼠随机分单纯手术组与人参皂苷Rg1治疗组。治疗组的大鼠造模1 h后将预先配成药液的人参皂甙Rgl按5 rag/(kg·d)剂量腹腔注射,1/日至处死当日。对照组则腹腔注射等量生理盐水1/日至处死当日。分别于手术后1、2周时对比两组大鼠的基本生命指标,后通过马松染色对比观察各组大鼠心脏细胞形态特征以及瘢痕形成情况。结果:(1)无论是手术后1周还是2周,两组大鼠的体重、心脏重量、心重/体重、鼠尾收缩压、心率比较均没有统计学意义(P0.05);(2)无论是手术后1周后还是2周后,人参皂苷Rg1治疗组心脏瘢痕形成要明显少于对照组。结论:人参皂苷Rg1能够有效抑制大鼠急性心肌梗后心脏纤维化的发生。     

人参皂苷Rg1对糖尿病肾病大鼠血清氧化应激指标、炎性因子及肾组织TGF-β1、MCP-1 mRNA的影响

目的:研究人参皂苷Rg1对糖尿病肾病(DN)大鼠血清氧化应激指标、炎性因子及肾组织生长转化因子-β1(TGF-β1)、单核细胞趋化因子蛋白-1(MCP-1)mRNA的影响。方法:选取60只SD大鼠,将其以随机抽签法分为Rg1组、模型组以及对照组,各20只。其中Rg1组与模型组大鼠均选择腹腔内一次性注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)55 mg/kg建立DN大鼠模型,Rg1组予以人参皂苷Rg1治疗,模型组与对照组则予以等量的生理盐水干预。比较干预12周后各组肾功能相关指标、血清氧化应激指标、炎性因子及肾组织TGF-β1、MCP-1 mRNA表达情况。结果:Rg1组、模型组大鼠干预12周后血肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN)、胱抑素C(CysC)水平均高于对照组,而Rg1组大鼠干预12周后Scr、BUN、CysC水平均低于模型组(均P0.05)。Rg1组、模型组大鼠干预12周后血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平均低于对照组,丙二醛(MDA)水平高于对照组(均P0.05);Rg1组大鼠干预12周后血清SOD、GSH水平均高于模型组,MDA水平低于模型组(均P0.05)。Rg1组、模型组大鼠干预12周后血清白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平均高于对照组,而Rg1组血清炎性因子水平低于模型组(均P0.05)。Rg1组、模型组大鼠干预12周后肾组织TGF-β1、MCP-1 mRNA表达水平均高于对照组,且Rg1组低于模型组(均P0.05)。结论:人参皂苷Rg1可显著改善DN大鼠血清氧化应激指标,下调血清炎性因子水平以及肾组织TGF-β1、MCP-1 mRNA表达。     

人参皂甙Rb1对阿尔茨海默病大鼠海马结构β-淀粉样蛋白表达的影响

目的观察人参皂甙Rb1对阿尔茨海默病（AD）模型大鼠学习记忆能力及海马结构β-淀粉样蛋白表达的影响。方法动物分3组：对照组、模型组及治疗组,用D半乳糖联合三氯化铝建立AD大鼠模型,治疗组在造模后给予人参皂甙Rb1腹腔注射4周;采用Morris水迷宫测试大鼠的空间学习记忆能力,用免疫组织化学方法观察海马结构β-淀粉样蛋白的表达。结果与对照组相比,模型组大鼠各时间段的逃避潜伏期均显著延长（P〈0．01）,海马CA1、CA3区及齿状回β-淀粉样蛋白表达的阳性细胞数明显增多（P〈0．01）;治疗组大鼠的逃避潜伏期较模型组明显缩短（P〈0．01）,海马CA1、CA3区及齿状回的β-淀粉样蛋白阳性细胞数显著减少（P〈0．01）。结论人参皂甙Rb1对AD模型大鼠学习记忆损害具有明显改善作用,其机制可能与人参皂甙Rb1减少海马结构β-淀粉样蛋白的表达有关。     

Ginsenoside Rg1 Decreases Aβ1–42 Level by Upregulating PPARγ and IDE Expression in the Hippocampus of a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Background and Purpose

The present study was designed to examine the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) in the hippocampus of rat model of Alzheimer''s disease (AD) to determine how ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) decreases Aβ levels in AD.

Experimental Approach

Experimental AD was induced in rats by a bilateral injection of 10 µg soluble beta-amyloid peptide 1–42 (Aβ_1–42) into the CA1 region of the hippocampus, and the rats were treated with Rg1 (10 mg·kg⁻¹, intraperitoneally) for 28 days. The Morris water maze was used to test spatial learning and memory performance. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to analyze the hippocampal histopathological damage. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and real-time PCR were used to detect Aβ_1–42, PPARγ, and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) expression in the hippocampus.

Key Results

Injection of soluble Aβ_1–42 into the hippocampus led to significant dysfunction of learning and memory, hippocampal histopathological abnormalities and increased Aβ_1–42 levels in the hippocampus. Rg1 treatment significantly improved learning and memory function, attenuated hippocampal histopathological abnormalities, reduced Aβ_1–42 levels and increased PPARγ and IDE expression in the hippocampus; these effects of Rg1 could be effectively inhibited by GW9662, a PPARγ antagonist.

Conclusions and Implications

Given that PPARγ can upregulate IDE expression and IDE can degrade Aβ_1–42, these results indicate that Rg1 can increase IDE expression in the hippocampus by upregulating PPARγ, leading to decreased Aβ levels, attenuated hippocampal histopathological abnormalities and improved learning and memory in a rat model of AD.     

Ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi prevents oxidative damage and neuroinflammation and memorial impairments in artificial senescense mice

Aging is a progressive process related to the accumulation of oxidative damage and neuroinflammation. We tried to find the anti-amnesic effect of the Scutellaria baicalens Georgia (SBG) ethanol extract and its major ingredients. The antioxidative effect of SBG on the mice model with memory impairment induced by chronic injection of D-galactose and sodium nitrate was studied. The Y-maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory function of mice. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and the content of malondialdehyde in brain tissue were used for the antioxidation activities. Neuropathological alteration and expression of bcl-2 protein were investigated in the hippocampus by immunohistochemical staining. ROS, neuroinflammation and apoptosis related molecules expression such as Cox-2, iNOS, procaspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, 8 and 9, bcl-2 and bax protein and the products of iNOS and Cox-2, NO, PGE2, were studied using LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells and microglia BV2 cells. The cognition of mice was significantly improved by the treatment of baicalein and 50 and 100 mg/kg of SBG in Y-maze test. Both SBG groups showed strong antioxidation, antiinflammation effects with significantly decreased iNOS and Cox-2 expression, NO and PGE2 production, increased bcl-2 and decreased bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression in LPS induced Raw 264.7 and BV2 cells. We also found that apoptotic pathway was caused by the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway with the decreased cleaved caspase-9 and unchanged cleaved caspase-8 expression. These findings suggest that SBG, especially high dose, 100 mg/kg, improved the memory impairments significantly and showed antioxidation, antiinflammation and intrinsic caspase-mediated apoptosis effects.     

In vivo rat metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies of ginsenoside Rg3

Metabolism of an anti-tumor active component of Panax ginseng, ginsenoside (20R)-Rg(3), was studied for better understanding its pharmacokinetics in rat. LC-MS was used to determine Rg(3) and its metabolites in rat plasma, urine and feces samples. An average half-life of 18.5 min was obtained after the ginsenoside was intravenously dosed at 5 mg/kg. However, Rg(3) was not detected in rat plasma collected after oral administration at 100 mg/kg. Only 0.97-1.15% Rg(3) of the dosed amount was determined in feces. Hydrolysis and oxygenated metabolites were detected and identified in feces collected after oral administration by using LC-MS and MS-MS.     

人参皂甙Rg3对糖尿病肾病大鼠生化指标及病理的影响

目的:探讨人参皂苷Rg3对糖尿病肾病大鼠生化指标及病理改变的影响。方法:30只SD雄性大鼠按随机数字表法分为正常对照组、模型对照组和人参皂甙Rg3组。采用链脲佐菌素建立糖尿病肾病大鼠模型。造模成功后,Rg3治疗组每天以Rg3(0.5mg/kg)灌胃,余予以等量蒸馏水灌胃。30天后分别测3组大鼠血糖、24小时尿蛋白、血肌酐,并予以HE染色行肾组织活检。结果:与正常组比较,模型对照组大鼠血糖、24小时尿蛋白、血肌酐明显升高,肾小球体积增大,基底膜增厚、细膜基质增多,肾小球内炎细胞浸润(P0.01)。与模型对照组比较,人参皂甙Rg3组血糖、24小时尿蛋白、血肌酐明显降低,肾小球基底膜增厚程度减轻,细胞外基质堆积减少,差异具有显著性(P0.05)。结论:人参皂甙Rg3能显著降低糖尿病大鼠血糖、血肌酐、24 h尿蛋白,能改善其肾脏的病理损害。     

Changes of [3H]MK-801, [3H]muscimol and [3H]flunitrazepam Binding in Rat Brain by the Prolonged Ventricular Infusion of Transformed Ginsenosides

Ameliorating effects of ginseng were observed on neuronal cell death associated with ischemia or glutamate toxicity. Ginseng saponins are transformed by intestinal microflora and the transformants would be absorbed from intestine. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of transformed ginsenoside Rg3, Rh2 and compound K on the modulation of NMDA receptor and GABA_A receptor binding in rat brain. The NMDA receptor binding was analyzed by quantitative autoradiography using [³H]MK-801 binding, and GABA_A receptor bindings were analyzed by using [³H]muscimol and [³H]flunitrazepam binding in rat brain slices. Ginsenoside Rg3, Rh2 and compound K were infused (10 g/10 l/h) into rat brain lateral ventricle for 7 days, through pre-implanted cannula by osmotic minipumps (Alzet, model 2ML). The levels of [³H]MK-801 binding were highly decreased in almost all regions of frontal cortex and hippocampus by ginsenoside Rh2 and compound K. The levels of [³H]muscimol binding were elevated in part of frontal cortex and granule layer of cerebellum by the treatment of ginsenoside Rh2 and compound K. However, the [³H]flunitrazepam binding was not modulated by any tested ginsenosides. Ginsenoside Rh2 and compound K induced the downregulation of the [³H]MK-801 binding as well as upregulation of the and [³H]muscimol binding in a region-specific manner after prolonged infusion into lateral ventricle. However, ginsenoside Rg3 did not show the significant changes of ligand bindings. In addition, ginsenoside Rh2 decreased the expression of nNOS in the hippocampus although Rg3 decreased the expression in the cortex. These results suggest that biotransformed ginsenoside Rh2 and compound K could play an important role in the biological activities in the central nervous systems and neurodegenerative disease.     

人参皂甙Rg1抗衰老和促智作用及其机制研究

现代研究证明,人参皂甙Ｒｇ_１是人参“益智延年”的主要有效成分。本研究以老年动物为实验对象,首次发现Ｒｇ_１能选择性增强老年大鼠免疫功能,改善老年大鼠的行为活动和操作能力,提高青、老年大鼠海马神经细胞功能,促进海马细胞内ｃ－ｆｏｓ基因的表达,并对抗谷氨酸介导的神经毒作用以及对原代培养的大鼠海马神经细胞表现出一定的保护作用,从而为Ｒｇ_１抗衰老和促智作用及其机制的研究提供了新的实验证据。     

Protective Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 Against Colistin Sulfate-Induced Neurotoxicity in PC12 Cells

The present study aimed to examine the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 against colistin-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Ginsenoside Rg1 was shown to elevate cell viability, decrease levels of malondialdehyde and intracellular reactive oxygen species, enhance activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and decrease the release of cytochrome-c, formation of DNA fragmentation in colistin-treated PC12 cells. Ginsenoside Rg1 also reversed the increased caspase-9 and -3 mRNA levels caused by colistin in PC12 cells. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 exerts a neuroprotective effect on colistin-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, at least in part, via the inhibition of oxidative stress, prevention of apoptosis mediated via mitochondria pathway. Co-administration of ginsenoside Rg1 highlights the potential to increase the therapeutic index of colistin.     

Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress‐induced apoptosis in a streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rat model

Ginsenoside Rg1 has been demonstrated to have cardiovascular protective effects. However, whether the cardioprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 are mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‐induced apoptosis remain unclear. In this study, among 80 male Wistar rats, 15 rats were randomly selected as controls; the remaining 65 rats received a diet rich in fat and sugar content for 4 weeks, followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg) to establish a diabetes model. Seven days after STZ injection, 10 rats were randomly selected as diabetic model (DM) controls, 45 eligible diabetic rats were randomized to three treatment groups and administered ginsenoside Rg1 in a dosage of 10, 15 or 20 mg/kg/day, respectively. After 12 weeks of treatment, rats were killed and serum samples obtained to determine cardiac troponin (cTn)‐I. Myocardial tissues were harvested for morphological analysis to detect myocardial cell apoptosis, and to analyse protein expression of glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and Caspase‐12. Treatment with ginsenoside Rg1 (10–20 mg/kg) significantly reduced serum cTnI levels compared with DM control group (all P < 0.01). Ginsenoside Rg1 (15 and 20 mg/kg) significantly reduced the percentage of apoptotic myocardial cells and improved the parameters of cardiac function. Haematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining indicated that ginsenoside Rg1 could attenuate myocardial lesions and myocardial collagen volume fraction. Additionally, ginsenoside Rg1 significantly reduced GRP78, CHOP, and cleaved Caspase‐12 protein expression in a dose‐dependent manner. These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 appeared to ameliorate diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting ER stress‐induced apoptosis in diabetic rats.