Ginsenoside-Rg1 Rescues Stress-Induced Depression-Like Behaviors via Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Neural Inflammation in Rats

Abstract

Depression is an inflammatory-related condition, with the progression in neuronal damage resulting in major depression disorder. Ginsenoside-Rg1, a sterol extract from the herb Panax ginseng, has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects upon neurodegeneration disorders. However, whether ginsenoside-Rg1 confers antidepressant-like effects on neuroinflammation as associated with depression, as well as the possible mechanism involved in these neuroprotective effects, is currently unclear. In the present report, we show that treatment with ginsenoside-Rg1 (40 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly ameliorated depressive-like behaviors as induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in a rat model of depression. Moreover, these CUMS rats treated with ginsenoside-Rg1 showed reductions in the levels of the oxidative stress products and the activity in the antioxidant stress kinase. Furthermore, CUMS rats treated with ginsenoside-Rg1 showed ameliorated neuroinflammation and associated neuronal apoptosis along with a reduction in dendritic spine atrophy and display of depressive behaviors. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that ginsenoside-Rg1 produces antidepressant-like effects in CUMS-exposed rats; and one of the mechanisms for these antidepressant-like effects of ginsenoside-Rg1 appears to involve protection against oxidative stress and thus the neuronal deterioration resulting from inflammatory responses. These findings provide evidence for the therapeutic potential of ginsenoside-Rg1 in the treatment of stress-related depression.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Depression: Effects on the Neuroendocrine-Immune Network

“…For instance, ginsenosides Rg1, Rg3, Rh1, Rh3, Rb1, Rk1, and Rf from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer have been demonstrated to exhibit dual actions against neuroinflammation and hyperactivation of the HPA axis [ 106 , 108 , 206 , 207 , 208 , 209 , 210 , 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 , 215 ], while 3,6’-disinapoyl sucrose and the oligosaccharide esters-enriched fraction, YZ50, from Polygala tenuifolia Willd have been shown to possess bioactivity that de-hyperactivates the HPA axis [ 216 , 217 , 218 ]. Additionally, poricoic acid A, isolated from Poria cocos (Schw.)…”

Purified Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis Promotes Tissue Regeneration by Reducing Oxidative Stress and the Secretion of Collagen In Vitro and In Vivo

“…Figure 1 shows that HPE reduces the damage that is caused by UVB, and HPA is more effective. Many studies show that ROS attacks cells via different mechanisms, including peroxidation of the cell membrane, denaturing of the protein structure, and degradation of DNA [ 25 – 27 ]. Reducing the generation of ROS increases physical well-being.…”

Isokotomolide A from Cinnamomum kotoense Induce Melanoma Autophagy and Apoptosis In Vivo and In Vitro

“…Metal ion is one of the causes for the lipid peroxidation, especially ferrous ion which is prooxidant. This assay is based on the complexes of ferrous ions and ferrozine have a color reaction at 562 nm, and the lower absorbance means the better metal chelating activity [ 12 ]. 1.0 μ L various dosages (10, 50, 100, and 200 μ M) of Iso A or Sec A were added into 10 μ L FeCl 2 ·4H 2 O (2.0 mM) to mix with 20 μ L ferrozine (5.0 mM), and EDTA acted as a positive control.…”

“…The membrane was incubated with the corresponding primary antibody, shaking at 4°C overnight, washed three times with TBST and blocked again, and then incubated with secondary antibody against the corresponding primary antibody for 90 min. The signal was visualized by enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) detection with West Femto Maximum Sensitivity Substrate kit (SuperSignal, Rockford, IL, USA) [ 12 ].…”