The protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on dopaminergic neurons of substantia in the ovariectomized rat model of Parkinson's disease.
- Author:
Li XU
1
;
Li-Xing LIU
;
Wen-Fang CHEN
;
Jun-Xia XIE
;
Wen-Xiu HUANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Dopaminergic Neurons; drug effects; Female; Ginsenosides; pharmacology; Neuroprotective Agents; pharmacology; Ovariectomy; Oxidopamine; Parkinson Disease, Secondary; chemically induced; physiopathology; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Substantia Nigra; drug effects; metabolism
- From: Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology 2008;24(1):1-5
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
AIMTo investigate the neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra in ovariectomized rat model of Parkinson's disease and the possible mechanisms.
METHODSWistar female rats were ovariectomized and treated with vehicle, ginsenoside Rg1 or 17-beta estradiol intracerebroventricularly in the 6-OHDA induced rat model of Parkinson's disease. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive neurons and the protein expression of Bcl-2. Perls' iron staining was used to determine the changes of iron in substantia nigra (SN).
RESULTS910 Rg1 or 17-beta estradiol treatment could ameliorate the rat's rotational behavior induced by apomorphine. 92) Rg1 or 17-beta estradiol treatment could increase TH immunoreactive neurons in the injured side of SN compared to the 6-OHDA group. (3) Iron staining in the injured side of SN was significantly increased comparing with the contralateral side in the 6-OHDA group. Rg1 or 17-beta estradiol treatment could reverse the increase of iron staining. (4) Both Rg1 and 17-beta estradiol treatment could increase Bcl-2 protein expression in the injured side of SN compared to the 6 OHDA group.
CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rg1 has estrogen-like activities and has neuroprotective effects on the dopaminergic neurons in the 6-OHDA induced ovariectomyzed(OVX) rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). This effect may be attributed to attenuating iron overload and anti-apoptosis.
