title: Rg3-enriched ginseng extract ameliorates scopolamine-induced learning deficits in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been used as a traditional herb in the treatment of many medical disorders. Ginsenosides, which are triterpene derivatives that contain sugar moieties, are the main pharmacological ingredients in ginseng. This study was designed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3-enriched ginseng extract (Rg3GE) on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rg3GE (50 and 100 mg/kg) were administered to C57BL/6 mice by oral gavage for 14 days (days 1-14). Memory impairment was induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) for 6 days (days 914). The Morris water maze test was used to assess hippocampus-dependent spatial memory. The effects of scopolamine with or without Rg3GE on acetylcholinesterase and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the hippocampus were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mice with scopolamine treatment alone showed impairments in the acquisition and retention of spatial memory. Mice that received Rg3GE and scopolamine showed no scopolamine-induced impairment in the acquisition of spatial memory. Oral administration of Rg3GE suppressed the scopolamine-mediated increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and stimulation of the NF-κB pathway (i.e., phosphorylation of p65) in the hippocampus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that Rg3GE may stabilize scopolamine-induced memory deficits through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and NF-κB signaling in the hippocampus.
authors.affiliation: WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea.|Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea.|Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jiyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jaesung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.affiliation: WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Siyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Woo-Hyun
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Foods R&D, CJ Cheiljedang Corp., Seoul, 152-051, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eunyoung
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, 487-010, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea. leehyjo@snu.ac.kr.|Research Institute of Bio Food Industry, Institute of Green Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang, 232-916, Republic of Korea. leehyjo@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hyong Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Republic of Korea. kiwon@snu.ac.kr.|Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea. kiwon@snu.ac.kr.|Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, 443-270, Republic of Korea. kiwon@snu.ac.kr.|Research Institute of Bio Food Industry, Institute of Green Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang, 232-916, Republic of Korea. kiwon@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Ki Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D005894:Panax; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012601:Scopolamine
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; C097367:ginsenoside Rg3; D012601:Scopolamine