Neuroprotective Effect of Ginseng Total Saponins in Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury.
10.3346/jkms.2005.20.2.291
- Author:
Yong Cheol JI
1
;
Young Baeg KIM
;
Seung Won PARK
;
Sung Nam HWANG
;
Byung Kook MIN
;
Hyun Jong HONG
;
Jeong Taik KWON
;
Jong Sik SUK
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. ybkim1218@cau.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Brain Injuries;
Panax;
Saponins;
Neuroprotective Agents;
Hippocampus
- MeSH:
Animals;
Brain Injuries/*drug therapy/pathology;
In Situ Nick-End Labeling;
Male;
Neuroprotective Agents/*therapeutic use;
Panax;
Rats;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;
Saponins/*therapeutic use;
Staining and Labeling
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2005;20(2):291-296
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
In the present study, we investigated whether ginseng total saponins (GTSs) protect hippocampal neurons after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. A moderate-grade TBI was made with the aid of a controlled cortical impact (CCI) device set at a velocity of 3.0 m/sec, a deformation of 3.0 mm, and a compression time of 0.2 sec at the right parietal area for adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Shamoperated rats that underwent craniectomy without impact served as controls. GTSs (100 and 200 mg/kg) or saline was injected intraperitoneally into the rats immediately post-injury. Twenty-four hours after the injury, the rats underwent neurological evaluation. Contusion volume and the number of hippocampal neurons were calculated with apoptosis evaluated by TUNEL staining. 24 hr post-injury, salineinjected rats showed a significant loss of neuronal cells in the CA2 region of the right hippocampus (53.4%, p<0.05) and CA3 (34.6%, p<0.05) compared with contralateral hippocampal region, a significant increase in contusion volume (34 +/-8microliter), and significant increase in neurologic deficits compared with the GTSs groups. Treating rats with GTSs seemed to protect the CCI-induced neuronal loss in the hippocampus, decrease cortical contusion volume, and improve neurological deficits.
