Objective  To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on HIF-1α and VEGF expressions in acute leukemia bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and the possible underlying mechanism.   Methods  BMSCs from normal health individuals and acute leukemia patients were cultivated. The appropriate time and concentration of ginsenoside Rg3 on BMSCs’ proliferation were assessed by MTT. The BMSCs were treated with ginsenoside Rg3

and mRNA levels of HIF-1α and VEGF were detected by RT-PCR. In addition

the expression of HIF-1α

VEGF

p-Akt and p-ERK proteins were measured by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays.   Results  After the addition of ginsenoside Rg3

MTT showed that the appropriate concentration and time was 40 μg/ml and 24 h respectively. HIF-1α and VEGF expressions at mRNA and protein levels were reduced significantly (P0.05）. The protein expressions of p-Akt and p-ERK were decreased significantly (P0.05).   Conclusion  Ginsenoside Rg3 not only significantly inhibits HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA expression but also protein expression in acute leukemia BMSCs. It also down-regulates the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK in PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways respectively

which are involved in angiogenesis. These results demonstrate an anti-angiogenesis function of ginsenoside Rg3 through PI3K/Akt and MAPK signal pathways in acute leukemia bone marrow.