AIM: To investigate the angiogenesis effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 on human retinal capillary endothelial cells(HRCECs)cultured in normal and high glucose conditions.

METHODS: We cultured HRCEC both in normal and high glucose conditions. Each condition we treated the cells with 0.1mmoL/L ginsenoside Rg3 and 0.5mmoL/L ginsenoside Rg3. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on HRCEC proliferation was tested by methylthiazoletrazolium(MTT)assay 24h, 48h and 72h after the treatment; The effect of cell migration was tested by transwell; The effect of tube formation was tested by Matrigel; Western-Blot and real-time quantitative RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)protein and mRNA. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA method.

RESULTS: Ginsenoside Rg3 could inhibit proliferation, migration and tube formation of HRCEC in both conditions, depending on the concentration and time. Ginsenoside Rg3 could decrease the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in both conditions.

CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rg3 could inhibit VEGF expression, thus suppress the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HRCEC in normal and high glucose conditions.