title: Neuroprotective effect of a ginseng (Panax ginseng) root extract on astrocytes primary culture.
abstract: A standardized aqueous extract of Panax ginseng radix was tested for its antioxidant effect on primary astrocytes culture on an oxidant stress model generated by H(2)O(2). The results indicated that this extract had a significant effect on the reduction of astrocytic death induced by H(2)O(2). Dose-response experiments revealed that this ginseng extract increased cell viability at a wide range of concentrations. Therefore, we investigated the effects of this extract on antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidases (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), on glutathione content (reduced and oxidized forms and red/ox index) and on the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Exposure of astrocytes to H(2)O(2) decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and increased ROS formation. Ginseng root extract reversed the effect of almost all of these parameters in H(2)O(2)-injured primary cultures of rat astrocytes.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Naval
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gómez-Serranillos
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Carretero
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Villar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016877:Oxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019344:Lactic Acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D005978:Glutathione; D005947:Glucose; D001205:Ascorbic Acid