J Korean Med Sci.  2005 Apr;20(2):291-296. 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.2.291.

Neuroprotective Effect of Ginseng Total Saponins in Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

• Ji YC
• Kim YB
• Park SW
• Hwang SN
• Min BK
• Hong HJ
• Kwon JT
• Suk JS

• KMID: 1095206
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2005.20.2.291

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.

Keyword

Brain Injuries; Panax; Saponins; Neuroprotective Agents; Hippocampus

MeSH Terms

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

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Photographs showing the morphological features of CCI-induced brain injury. The extent of contusion is greatest in the saline-treated group (A). The contusion volume in the saline-treated group, 100 mg-GTSs-treated group (B), 200 mg-GTSs-treated group (C) were 32.5±3.5 µL, 26.5±2.9 µL, and 19.5±2.7 µL respectively. The effect of GTSs on brain contusion was increased in a dose-dependent fashion. CCI, controlled cortical impact; GTSs, ginseng total saponins.

• 

  Fig. 2 Bar graph showing that GTSs significantly decreased the volume of CCI-induced cortical contusion compared with the saline treated group. Saline; saline-treated group, 100-GTSs; 100 mg-GTSs-treated group, 200-GTSs; 200 mg-GTSs-treated group. CCI, controlled cortical impact; GTSs, ginseng total saponins. *p<0.05, compared with saline-treated group. **p<0.05, compared with 100 mg-GTSs-treated group.

• 

  Fig. 3 Photomicrographs showing the ipsilateral (A, C, E, G) and contralateral (B, D, F, H) hippocampus of rats subjected to CCI injury; saline-treated group (A to D), and 200 mg-GTSs-treated group (E to H). In the saline-treated group, there was a significant neuronal loss in the CA2 and CA3 regions compared with the intact hippocampus. The treatment with GTSs significantly prevented CCI-induced neuronal loss in the ipsilateral CA2 and CA3 regions compared with saline-treated group. Original magnification ×40 (upper panels) and ×100 (lower panels). H&E. CA, cornu ammonis; CCI, controlled cortical impact.

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