title: American ginseng improves neurocognitive function in senescence-accelerated mice: possible role of the upregulated insulin and choline acetyltransferase gene expression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of American ginseng on neurocognitive function and glucose regulation in senescence-accelerated mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male senescence-resistant inbred strains (SAMR1) and senescence-prone inbred strains (SAMP10) mice were divided into five groups and fed either a control diet or an American ginseng-supplemented diet (1% or 2% g/g) from 6 weeks to 10 months of age. Bodyweight, levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and grading scores were monitored every month and neurocognitive functions were evaluated at 9 months of age with a KUROBOX apparatus using a stress-free positive cue task. Gene expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-δ), insulin, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  American ginseng decreased FPG in SAMR1 mice, but increased FPG in SAMP10 mice. Correct visit ratios were higher in both SAMR1 and SAMP10 strains consuming an American ginseng-supplemented diet. Gene upregulation of insulin and ChAT in the brain, but not of PPAR-δ or APP, was evident in American ginseng-fed groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily consumption of American ginseng induced an enhancement in neurocognitive function in senescence-accelerated mice, which could be related to the upregulation of insulin and ChAT gene expression in the brain. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 123-130.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aging Medicine and Geriatrics, Institute on Aging and Adaptation, Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan. shijunworks@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Shun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Reika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashizume
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D005894:Panax; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D028321:Plant Preparations; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase