[Effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 in brain of rats with brain contusion].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the brain of rats after the experimental brain contusion.


METHODS
A total of twenty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=2), untreated group (n=8) and ginsenoside Rg1 group (n=16). Brain injuries were induced in rats by a mechanical striking device. The brain tissues were extracted at different times after brain injury (6th hour, 12th hour, 2nd day, 6th day), then the expression of IGF-1 in brain tissue was examined by immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
In comparison with the normal control group, the expression of IGF-1 in the brain tissues was increased in the untreated group after the brain contusion (P<0.05). The expression of IGF-1 in brain tissues in ginsenoside Rg1 group was significantly increased as compared with the untreated group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Ginsenoside Rg1 enhances the recovery of the contused brain through increasing the expression of IGF-1.
Li
Wen-Kai
WK
Department of Forensic Pathology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610041, China.
Ran
Wen-Bin
WB
Su
Ying-Wen
YW
Huang
Fei-Jun
FJ
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D036145:Ginsenosides; C548904:insulin-like growth factor-1, rat; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; C035054:ginsenoside Rg1