title: Neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions of ginsenosides Rb(1) and Rg(1).
abstract: The ginsenosides have many pharmacological actions, including various actions on the nervous system. Our previous studies have demonstrated that two ginsenosides, Rb(1) and Rg(1) improve performance in a passive avoidance-learning paradigm and enhance cholinergic metabolism. The present study was designed to examine the cellular neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions of two pure ginsenosides in two model systems. PC12 cells were grown in the absence or presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) as a positive control, and different concentrations of Rb(1) or Rg(1). To assess neurotrophic properties, neurite outgrowth was quantified for representative fields of cells. After 8 days in culture, both ginsenosides enhanced neurite outgrowth in the presence of a sub-optimal dose of (2 ng/ml) NGF, but did not significantly stimulate neurite outgrowth in the absence of NGF. However, after 18 days in culture, both ginsenosides increased neurite outgrowth in the absence of NGF. SN-K-SH cells were grown in the absence or presence of MPTP or beta-amyloid to assess neuroprotection. Rb(1) and Rg(1) both reversed MPTP-induced cell death. beta-Amyloid-induced cell death was not reversed by either ginsenoside, but Rg(1) produced a modest enhancement of cell death in this model. These results suggest that these two ginsenosides have neurotrophic and selective neuroprotective actions that may contribute to the purported enhancement of cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudakewich
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ba
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Benishin
mesh_terms: D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D036145:Ginsenosides; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D005894:Panax; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D036145:Ginsenosides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012503:Saponins; C074636:amyloid beta-protein (25-35); D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; C035054:ginsenoside Rg1