ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effect and mechanisms on dopamine contents of striatum (Str) in the 6-OHDA induced rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) by ginsenoside Rg1.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Ovariectomized PD rats were treated with vehicle, ginsenoside Rg1, (10 mg x kg(-1)) or estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780 for 14 d. The change of apomorphine-linduced rotational behavior in PD rats were observed. The high performance lipid chromotophotography (HPLC) was used to determine the contents of DA, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA)in striatum.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Rg1 treatment could ameliorate the PD rat's rotational behavior induced by apomorphine (P < 0.01). This effect could be blocked by ER antagonist ICI 182,780. The DA, DOPAC and HVA levels in the injured side of Str for PD rats were significantly decreased compared with the intact side (P < 0.01). Rg1, treatment could increase DA contents in the injured side of Str (P < 0.01). ICI 182,780 could completely block the neuroprotective effects of Rg1. The DA contents and its metabolites in the injured side of the ICI treatment group were significantly decreased compared with the Rg1 group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginsenoside Rg1 may have protective effects on the dopaminergic neurons for the 6-OHDA induced OVX rat model of PD, ER. May be involved in the protection action.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Rats , 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid , Behavior, Animal , Central Nervous System Agents , Pharmacology , Corpus Striatum , Metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Dopamine , Metabolism , Ginsenosides , Pharmacology , Homovanillic Acid , Metabolism , In Vitro Techniques , Ovariectomy , Parkinson Disease , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To 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.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar 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).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>910 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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginsenoside 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.</p>