Original article

Ginsenoside RG3 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gallbladder cancer cells through PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

  • ZHOU Xin ,
  • WANG Lubing ,
  • ZHANG Bo
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  • 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200135, China
    2 Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chongming Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 202150, China

Received date: 2025-04-29

  Online published: 2026-04-21

Abstract

Objective To explore the specific mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg3 inhibiting gallbladder cancer (GBC)cells. Methods Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was used to examine the effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on the viability of GBC cells. The effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on the migration and invasion of gallbladder cancer cells was verified by cell scratch assay and Transwell assay. Western blot was used to verify the effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase / protein kinase B (AKT) / mammalian target of rapamycin [PI3K/PKB(AKT)/mTOR] signaling pathway-related proteins. Results Ginsenoside Rg3 significantly inhibited the viability of GBC cells. Ginsenoside Rg3 significantly inhibited the rate of cell migration and the number of cells passing through the Transwell assay. Western blot showed that Ginsenoside Rg3 could significantly reduce the level of phosphorylated PI3K/AKT/mTOR protein, increase the expression level of E-cadherin, and inhibit the expression levels of N-cadherin and vimentin in gallbladder cancer cells, and finally inhibit the EMT process. Conclusions Ginsenoside RG3 inhibits the activity of gallbladder cancer cells, also suppresses the EMT process by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and inhibits the migration and invasion of gallbladder cancer cells.

Cite this article

ZHOU Xin , WANG Lubing , ZHANG Bo . Ginsenoside RG3 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gallbladder cancer cells through PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway[J]. Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice, 2026 , 31(01) : 70 -76 . DOI: 10.16139/j.1007-9610.2026.01.12

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