Ginsenoside Rg1 Alleviates Podocyte EMT Passage by Regulating AKT/GSK3 β/β-Catenin Pathway by Restoring Autophagic Activity

Background. Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a complication of diabetes, is the result of high glucose-induced pathological changes in podocytes, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Autophagy is an important mechanism of podocyte repair. Ginsenoside Rg1, the active ingredient of ginseng extract, has antifibrotic and proautophagic effects. Therefore, we hypothesized that ginsenoside Rg1 can reverse podocyte EMT via autophagy and alleviate DN. Aim. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on DN rats and high glucose-induced podocyte EMT by regulating the AKT/GSK3 beta/beta-catenin pathway by restoring autophagy activity. Methods. Diabetic rats induced by STZ injection were treated with 50 mg/kg ginsenoside Rg1 for 8 weeks, and the renal functional, metabolic, and histopathological indices were evaluated. DN was simulated in vitro by exposing podocytes to high glucose levels and treated with ginsenoside Rg1. The expression of EMT and autophagy-related markers was analyzed in vivo and in vitro by immunofluorescence, western blotting, and real-time PCR. Results. Ginsenoside Rg1 significantly alleviated renal fibrosis and podocyte EMT in diabetic rats, and podocytes exposed to high glucose levels, which was abolished by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg1 regulated the AKT/GSK3 beta/beta-catenin pathway by restoring autophagic activity. Conclusion. Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviated podocyte EMT by enhancing AKT/GSK3 beta/beta-catenin pathway-mediated autophagy, indicating its therapeutic potential for DN and other glomerular diseases.