title: Evaluation of the effects of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge saponin extract on central nervous system functions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In traditional medicine, Astragalus mongholicus (AM) has been used for the treatment of general weakness, chronic illness, and to increase overall vitality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated possible effects of the saponin fraction of AM on the central nervous system. Moreover, its effects on locomotor activity, anxiety, and hippocampal morphology were studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  AM extract was tested for its effects on locomotor activity using the Moti-Test, for situational anxiety in the elevated plus maze, and for anticonvulsant activity against acute pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and in the PTZ kindling model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was shown that AM (50, 100, 200mg/kg) did not interfere with locomotor activity and situational anxiety as measured in the elevated plus maze. In these doses, AM significantly suppressed pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures (p<0.05). Its anticonvulsant efficacy was also evident against repeated PTZ seizures (p<0.05). This suggests potential therapeutic usefulness. After subchronic application, the number of cells in hippocampal CA1 was reduced, whilst the cell number in CA3 and hilus remained unaffected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Doses of AM extract which did not interfere with locomotor activity and situational anxiety appear to be useful in the treatment of convulsive disorders. The mechanisms underlying this effect on hippocampal morphology are not yet understood.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Traditional Medicine, Mongolian Academy of Science, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
authors.forename: Aldarmaa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jalsrai
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grecksch
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D027883:Astragalus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins