Anxiolytic-like effects of ginseng in the elevated plus-maze model: comparison of red ginseng and sun ginseng.
This study was performed to investigate the anxiolytic-like effects of red ginseng (RG, steamed raw ginseng at 98-100 degrees C) and sun ginseng (SG, heat-processed ginseng at higher temperature) in mice using the elevated plus-maze model. Furthermore, the anxiolytic-like effects of RG and SG were compared to a known active anxiolytic drug (diazepam). The RG butanol fraction (100 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of open arms entries and the time spent on the open arm (indicators of anxiolytic-like effects) compared with that of the saline group. However, lower doses of the SG total extract (50 mg/kg) and the SG butanol fraction (25 and 50 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of open arms entries and the time spent on the open arms. The RG total extract (100 mg/kg) and the SG total extract at a lower dose (25 mg/kg) did not increase the number of open arm entries or the time spent on the open arm. On the other hand, the RG butanol fraction (100 mg/kg), the SG total extract (50 mg/kg), and the SG butanol fraction (50 mg/kg) decreased locomotor activity in a manner similar to diazepam. These data indicate that ginseng has anxiolytic-like effects, and the anxiolytic potential of SG is stronger than that of RG in the elevated plus-maze model. Ginseng saponins have been suggested to play an important role in the anxiolytic effects of ginseng. We provide evidence that ginseng may be useful for the treatment of anxiety.
College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, S. Korea.
Jeong-Hill
JH
Park
Hwa-Young
HY
Cha
Jeong-Ju
JJ
Seo
Jin-Tae
JT
Hong
Kun
K
Han
Ki-Wan
KW
Oh
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003975:Diazepam