Protective effects of ginseng components in a rodent model of neurodegeneration

Abstract

To test the proposed neuroprotective activity of whole ginseng extract and its components, we used 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), an inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, to produce neurodegeneration. Treatment with 3-nitropropionic acid (90 mg/kg) over a 5-day period resulted in severe impairment of movement and loss of neurons in the striatum. Pretreatment with a preparation from the whole root of American ginseng had no protective effects. Pretreatment with a preparation of ground leaves and stems, which contains greater levels of ginsenosides than ground root, improved the behavioral score and reduced the volume of the striatal lesion. A partial purification of American ginseng was performed to concentrate the putative protective components: Rb1, Rb3, and Rd (termed Rb extract). Pretreatment with the Rb extract significantly reduced the 3-nitropropionic acid-induced motor impairment and cell loss in the striatum, and it completely prevented any mortality. Significant effects on motor function, mortality, and the striatal lesion volume also were measured in animals pretreated with the individual ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb3, or Rd. The results demonstrate that some of the ginsenosides have neuroprotective activity, and that a partial purification of whole ginseng to concentrate the neuroprotective components may have utility as a neuroprotective agent.

Modulation of LPS-Stimulated Astroglial Activation by Ginseng Total Saponins

“…Accumulating evidence supports the pharmacological effects of ginseng on the CNS and in the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems as well [5][6][7][8]. For example, ginseng components have shown protective effects in experimental models of neurodegeneration [16]. Ginseng appears to act mainly on the hypothalamus and has a sparing action on the adrenal cortex.…”

Neuroprotective effect of a ginseng (Panax ginseng) root extract on astrocytes primary culture

“…Ginseng components have shown protective effects in experimental models of neurodegeneration (Lian et al, 2005). Ginseng root has been studied for its antioxidant potential, and is known to scavenge ROS, to chelate metal ions and to prevent LDL peroxidation via distinct concentration-dependent mechanism.…”

“…Much interest has been focused on the effects of ginseng as an adaptogen, a substance which helps the body to resist the adverse influences of harmful factors and improves the restoration of homeostasis irrespective of the direction of the altered physiological function. Some ginseng's active compounds exert beneficial effects on aging, central nervous system disorders (CNS) and neurodegeneration (Lian et al, 2005;Radad et al, 2006). The pharmacological effects of ginseng have been demonstrated in the CNS and in the cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems (Tang and Eisenbrand, 1992;Attele et al, 1999;Shah et al., 2005;Wang et al, 2006).…”

Herbal Drugs in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Overview

“…Ginsenoside Rg1 has shown weak CNS stimulant activity, anti-fatigue action, and an increase in motor activity [74]. Other active compounds in the root include acetylenic compounds, peptide glycans, polysaccharides, pyran derivatives, and flavones.…”