Treatment with ginsenoside rb1, a component of panax ginseng, provides neuroprotection in rats subjected to subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
recent trials have shown Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), an active component of a well known Chinese medicine Panax Ginseng, plays a significant role in improving the complications seen after an ischemic brain event. In the present study, we investigated the use of GRb1 as a treatment modality to reduce brain edema, reduce arterial vasospasm, and improve neurobehavioral function after subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced brain injury (SAH) in rats.


METHODS
male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 250 and 300 g were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) Sham group (n = 10), (2) Vehicle group (SAH + no treatment; n = 12); (3) Treatment group (SAH + GRb1 treatment at 20 mg/kg; n = 11). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was induced using the modified double hemorrhage model followed by treatment administration intravenously. Post-operative assessment included neurobehavioral testing using the spontaneous activity scoring system, brain water content, and histological examination of the basilar artery.


RESULTS
post-operative findings indicated treatment with GRb1 had significantly reduced brain edema and improved neurobehavioral functioning. In addition, histological examination revealed a significant reduction in basilar artery vasospasm and lumen thickness with treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
the results of the study suggest that GRb1 treatment reduces brain edema, improves neurobehavioral function, and blocks vasculature thickening and spasm after SAH in rats. Given the novelty of the study, further research will be needed to confirm the benefits of treatment and mechanisms behind neuroprotection.
Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
Yingbo
Y
Li
Jiping
J
Tang
Nikan H
NH
Khatibi
Mei
M
Zhu
Di
D
Chen
Liu
L
Tu
Li
L
Chen
Shali
S
Wang
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors
D036145:Ginsenosides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C442759:ginsenoside Rb1