Effect of ginsenosides against anoxic damage of hippocampal neurons in culture.
OBJECTIVE
To study the protective effect of ginsenosides (Gin) against anoxic injury in brain cells.


METHODS
On d 12 after plating of the hippocampal cells from newborn rat, the cultures were exposed to anoxic atmosphere (95% N2 + 5% CO2) for 4-24 h. The cellular morphology, survival rate, and effluxes of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and K+ from cells were observed.


RESULTS
After 24-h anoxia, the survival rate of cells was decreased from 92% +/- 4% before anoxia to 1.0% +/- 2.0%; the effluxes of LDH and K+ were increased from 2.3 +/- 0.6 U L-1 and 5.56 +/- 0.16 mmol L-1 before anoxia to 36 +/- 5 U L-1 and 8.5 +/- 0.7 mmol L-1, respectively. In the Gin group exposed anoxia for 24 h, the survival rate of cells was 4% +/- 4%; the effluxes of LDH and K+ were 30 +/- 3 U L-1 and 7.9 +/- 0.8 mmol L-1, respectively. All these changes were lower in Gin group than those of control.


CONCLUSIONS
Under anoxia the cultured hippocampal neurons were seriously damaged, which may be protected by Gin.
Wang
F Z
FZ
Department of Neurobiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Ding
A S
AS
Liu
Z W
ZW
D000818:Animals; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D036145:Ginsenosides; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D036145:Ginsenosides; D012503:Saponins; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D011188:Potassium