title: Effects of ginseng stem-leaves saponins on one-way avoidance behavior in rats.
abstract: Using a multiple-trial, training-to-criterion procedure, the effects of repeated administrations of ginseng stem-leaves saponins (GSLS) on learning and memory of one-way avoidance in rats were studied in shuttle-box. In acquisition, GSLS 10, 30, and 60 mg.kg-1 ip shortened the latency of avoidance in a bell-shaped manner from 1.0 +/- 0.2 s in saline rats to 0.8 +/- 0.5, 0.5 +/- 0.1, 0.8 +/- 0.2 s (d 3 learning) and from 0.9 +/- 0.2 s to 0.8 +/- 0.2, 0.7 +/- 0.1, and 0.8 +/- 0.2 s (10 x 24 h memory), and the best dose was 30 mg.kg-1. GSLS 30 mg.kg-1 ip shortened the latency of avoidance prolonged by scopolamine 0.8 mg.kg-1 sc from 5.2 +/- 1.3 s to 3.9 +/- 0.8 s (d 1 learning acquisition) and from 2.2 +/- 0.6 s to 0.8 +/- 0.3 s (3 x 24 h memory acquisition). In retention, GSLS 30 mg.kg-1 ip shortened the latency prolonged by cycloheximide 2.5 and 5 mg.kg-1 ip from 3.4 +/- 1.0 s to 1.4 +/- 0.5 s (4 h memory) and from 1.6 +/- 0.3 s to 0.9 +/- 0.2 s (24 h memory), and increased the avoidance number decreased by cycloheximide 5 mg.kg-1 from 38.1 +/- 8.8% to 72.4 +/- 10.8% (4 h memory). The results indicate that GSLS facilitated the acquisition of learning and memory in rats, and improved the scopolamine amnesia and cycloheximide amnesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Shenyang College of Pharmacy.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Q H
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D003513:Cycloheximide; D036145:Ginsenosides; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects*; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012601:Scopolamine
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D036145:Ginsenosides; D012503:Saponins; D003513:Cycloheximide; D012601:Scopolamine