American ginseng extract reduces scopolamine-induced amnesia in a spatial learning task.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if HT-1001, an extract of American ginseng, affects scopolamine-induced memory and performance deficits in a spatial learning task, alters brain concentrations of aminergic neurotransmitters, and alters choline uptake in synaptosome preparations.


METHODS
Animal study.


METHODS
48 Sprague Dawley rats.


METHODS
Long-term oral administration of a test material or control solution. Intraperitoneal administration of scopolamine (2 mg/kg) 30 minutes before testing.


METHODS
Performance on Morris water maze task, choline uptake, aminergic neurotransmitter analysis, in vitro monoamine oxidase analysis (of compounds).


RESULTS
HT-1001 protected against scopolamine-induced amnesia and increased choline uptake in synaptosomal preparations. HT-1001 did not alter brain concentrations of norepinephrine, dopamine, 5-HT (serotonin), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid or 5-hydroxyindoleactic acid. HT-1001 had a very weak ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase activity in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
HT-1001 demonstrates a capacity to protect against scopolamine-induced memory deficits.
Sloley
B D
BD
CV Technologies, Edmonton, Alta. Duff@cvtechnologies.com
Pang
P K
PK
Huang
B H
BH
Ba
F
F
Li
F L
FL
Benishin
C G
CG
Greenshaw
A J
AJ
Shan
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D036145:Ginsenosides; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects*; D009949:Orientation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005894:Panax; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000633:toxicity*
D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D036145:Ginsenosides; D012503:Saponins; D012601:Scopolamine