Lab Anim Res.  2018 Mar;34(1):37-43. 10.5625/lar.2018.34.1.37.

Protective effects of cultured and fermented ginseng extracts against scopolamine-induced memory loss in a mouse model

• Han SH
• Kim SJ
• Yun YW
• Nam SY
• Lee HJ
• Lee BJ

• KMID: 2430884
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5625/lar.2018.34.1.37

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the effect of a concentrate of fermented wild ginseng root culture (HLJG0701) on memory improvement in the scopolamine (SPL)-induced memory-deficient mouse model. Eight-week-old male ICR mice were used to evaluate the protective effect of HLJG0701 against the SPL-induced memory loss animal model. The Morris water maze test, which measures hippocampus-dependent learning ability, and the Y-maze test, a short-term memory assessment test, were performed and related markers were analyzed. HLJG0701-treated groups displayed significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase activity and increased acetylcholine level compared with the SPL-administered group (SPL-G) (P < 0.05). In the Y-maze test, the spontaneous alternation in al HLJG0711-treated groups was significantly increased compared with that in SPL-G (P < 0.05). In the Morris water maze test, the escape latency and time spent in the target quadrant in all HLJG0701-treated groups were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, compared with those in SPL-G (P < 0.05). In addition, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in groups treated with HLJG0701 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight was significantly increased compared with that in SPL-G (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the HLJG0701 may protect against memory loss by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity and preventing acetylcholine deficiency.

Keyword

Memory loss; ginsenosides; scopolamine; acetylcholine; mice

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholine
Acetylcholinesterase
Animals
Body Weight
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Ginsenosides
Humans
Learning
Male
Memory Disorders*
Memory*
Memory, Short-Term
Mice*
Mice, Inbred ICR
Models, Animal
Panax*
Scopolamine Hydrobromide
United Nations
Water
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholinesterase
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Ginsenosides
Scopolamine Hydrobromide
Water

Figure

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  Figure 1 Structures of ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1.

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  Figure 2 Acetylcholinesterase activity (A) and acetylcholine content (B) in the brain tissues of mice treated with saline (control, CON), scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p., SPL-G), HLJG0701 (150 mg/kg, HG-150; 300 mg/kg, HG-300; 600 mg/kg, HG-600, p.o.) and tetrahydroaminoacridine (10 mg/kg, p.o., THA-10) 6 times per week for 5 weeks. Data are expressed as the mean±SD (n=8). Means with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05).

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  Figure 3 Effect of HLJG0701 on scopolamine-induced memory deficit in the Y-maze test. Mice in different groups were administered with saline (control, CON), scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p., SPL-G), HLJG0701 (150 mg/kg, HG-150; 300 mg/kg, HG-300; 600 mg/kg, HG-600, p.o.) and tetrahydroaminoacridine (10 mg/kg, p.o., THA-10) 6 times per week for 5 weeks. The number of arm entries (A) and spontaneous alternation score (B) were recorded. Data are expressed as the mean±SD (n=8). Means with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05).

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  Figure 4 Effect of HLJG0701 on the increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) content in murine brain tissues. Mice in different groups were administered with saline (control, CON), scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p., SPL-G), HLJG0701 (150 mg/kg, HG-150; 300 mg/kg, HG-300; 600 mg/kg, HG-600, p.o.) and tetrahydroaminoacridine (10 mg/kg, p.o., THA-10) 6 times per week for 5 weeks. The number of arm entries (A) and spontaneous alternation score (B) were recorded. Data are expressed as the mean±SD (n=8). Means with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05).

• 

  Figure 5 Effect of HLJG0701 on scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment. (A) Escape latency to find the platform during the training stages. (B) The time spent in the target quadrant of the probe trial. Mice in different groups were administered with saline (control, CON), scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p., SPL-G), HLJG0701 (150 mg/kg, HG-150; 300 mg/kg, HG-300; 600 mg/kg, HG-600, p.o.) and tetrahydroaminoacridine (10 mg/kg, p.o., THA-10) 6 times per week for 5 weeks. Training trial sessions were conducted for 5 days and retention times were measured on day 6. Data are expressed as the mean±SD (n=8). Means with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05).

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