Acute and chronic effects of ginseng saponins on maternal aggression in mice

doi:10.1016/0014-2999(88)90013-1

European Journal of Pharmacology

Volume 150, Issue 3, 10 June 1988, Pages 319-324

https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(88)90013-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

The present study investigated the acute and chronic effects of crude ginseng saponin (CGS), pure ginsenoside Rb1 (GS-Rb1) and ginsenoside Rg1 (GS-Rg1) on maternal aggression in mice. Maternal aggression was determined on postpartum days 5 and 7 in female mice that had been housed alone since the end of the 4-day mating period. Acute intraperitoneal administration of CGS (50 and 100 mg/kg) and GS-Rb1 (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) significantly suppressed maternal aggression in a dose-dependent manner, whereas GS-Rg1 was ineffective. As compared with the vehicle-treated group, chronic treatment with CGS (50 mg/kg)3and GS-Rb1 (2.5 mg/kg) significantly suppressed maternal aggression without causing motor dysfunction, whereas GS-Rg1 (2.5 mg/kg) showed a tendency to facilitate maternal aggression. These findings indicate that root of Panax ginseng contains a psychoactive ingredient, GS-Rb1, which can suppress maternal aggression.

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Cited by (24)

Protective role of the ginsenoside Rg1 against methimazole-induced gestational hypothyroidism on reflexive behaviors, conditioned fear and cortical antioxidant levels in mice offspring
2024, IBRO Neuroscience Reports
Ginsenoside Rg1(Rg1), a monomer of a tetracyclic triterpenoid derivative, possesses diverse medicinal properties attributed to its unique chemical structure and may have beneficial effects on fetal development. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of prenatal exposure to Rg1 against Methimazole-induced gestational hypothyroidism on reflexive behaviors, conditioned fear, and cortical antioxidant levels in mouse offspring.40 female virgin mice and 12 male NMRI mice were assigned to four groups: group 1 served as the control, group 2 received Methimazole(MMI) at a concentration of 0.02% in their drinking water, group 3 received Rg1(150 mg/kg), and group 4 received both MMI and Rg1.Groups of 2–4 were administered the substances from days 1–9 of gestation. After delivery, pups were selected, and reflexive motor behaviors and conditioned fear were assessed. Additionally, levels of brain tissue catalase(CAT), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione peroxidase(GPx) levels were measured. Furthermore, postpartum immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and the number of squares crossed in the open field test (OFT)were determined. The results demonstrated that maternal exposure to Rg1 improved ambulation score, hind-limb suspension score, grip strength, front-limb suspension, hind-limb foot angle, negative geotaxis, surface righting, and conditioned fear in hypothyroidism-induced offspring(P<0.05). Rg1 decreased immobility time in the FST, and TST, and increased the number of squares crossed in the OFT in postpartum hypothyroidism-induced mice(P<0.05). Moreover, Rg1 reduced brain tissue MDA levels and increased brain tissue CAT, SOD, and GPx levels in mice and their offspring(P<0.05). These findings indicate that Rg1 mitigated postpartum depression in mice and improved reflexive motor behaviors in their pups.
Anxiolytic effect of saponins from Panax quinquefolium in mice
2007, Journal of Ethnopharmacology
The anxiolytic effect of the saponins from Aniliaeea Panax quinquefolium L. (PQS) was studied in male mice by using a number of experimental paradigms of anxiety and compared with that of the known anxiolytic compound diazepam. Use of the elevated plus-maze test revealed that PQS (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the percentage of time and entries spent in open arms. In the light/dark test, PQS (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) prolonged the time spent in the light area. In the hole-board test, PQS (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly increased both head-dip counts and head-dip duration. Both PQS (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the total fighting time in the isolation-induced aggressive test. Since PQS, in contrast to diazepam, had no effect on locomotion in these tests, its side-effect profile might be considered superior to the benzodiazepines. Thus, the present findings suggest that PQS might be a potential candidate for use as an anxiolytic drug.
Identification of anxiolytic ingredients in ginseng root using the elevated plus-maze test in mice
2006, European Journal of Pharmacology
Ginseng root has been widely used for the management of anxiety and emotional instability, but there is little experimental evidence supporting these clinical applications. We pharmacologically identified the anxiolytic components in ginseng root, using the elevated plus-maze test. Male ICR albino mice and the following drugs were used: diazepam (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg, p.o.); red ginseng powder (300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg, p.o.); crude saponin and non-saponin ginseng fractions (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p., for each preparation); and pure ginsenoside Rb₁, Rg₁, and Ro (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p., for each preparation). Ginseng powder and crude saponin ginseng fraction significantly increased the frequency and duration of open arm entries. Among the three types of pure ginsenoside, only ginsenoside Rb₁ significantly increased both the frequency and duration of open arm entries. Our results clearly indicate that ginsenoside Rb₁ is one of the active anxiolytic components of ginseng root.
Effects of ginseng saponins on responses induced by various receptor stimuli
1999, European Journal of Pharmacology
We investigated the effects of four ginseng saponins, ginsenoside-Rb₁, -Rg₂, -Rg₃ and -Ro, on the responses induced by receptor stimulation of various stimuli. Ginsenoside-Rg₂ (1–100 μM) reduced the secretions of catecholamines from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells stimulated by acetylcholine and γ-aminobutyric acid but not by angiotensin II, bradykinin, histamine and neurotensin. In guinea-pig, the ginsenoside also diminished the nicotine-induced secretion of catecholamines from the adrenal chromaffin cells, but it did not affect the muscarine- and the histamine-induced ileum contractions. On the other hand, ginsenoside-Rg₃ (1–100 μM) reduced not only the acetylcholine-, the γ-aminobutyric acid- and the neurotensin-induced secretions but also, at a higher concentration (100 μM), the angiotensin II-, the bradykinin- and the histamine-induced secretions from the bovine chromaffin cells. Furthermore, the saponin (3–100 μM) significantly inhibited the muscarine- and the histamine-induced ileum contractions of the guinea-pig. Ginsenoside-Rb₁ and -Ro had no marked effect on their responses. These results strongly suggest that ginsenoside-Rg₂ is a potent selective blocker of nicotinic acetylcholine and γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (ionotropic receptors) and ginsenoside-Rg₃ is not only a blocker of ionotropic receptors but also an antagonist of muscarinic or histamine receptors.
Effect of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) on male copulatory behavior in the rat
1998, Physiology and Behavior
MURPHY, L. L., R. S. CADENA, D. CHÁVEZ AND J. S. FERRARO. Effect of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) on male copulatory behavior in the rat. 64(4) 445–450, 1998.—The effects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) on male rat copulatory behavior were investigated. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were administered either 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg of Panax quinquefolium or a sesame oil vehicle per os (p.o.) for 28 days and copulatory behavior parameters were measured. Ginseng-treated male rats demonstrated a significant decrease in mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies compared to vehicle controls. Hormone analyses revealed no difference in plasma luteinizing hormone or testosterone levels between ginseng- and vehicle-treated animals; however, plasma prolactin levels were significantly reduced by all doses of ginseng tested. When male rats were treated with the 100 mg/kg dose of ginseng for 1, 14 or 28 days, mount and intromission latencies were significantly reduced at 14 and 28 days of daily ginseng treatment, whereas ejaculation latency was significantly reduced after 1 day of ginseng treatment when compared to vehicle controls. Plasma prolactin levels were also significantly decreased after 14 and 28 days of daily ginseng administration. There were no differences in body weight or in testes, seminal vesicle, anterior pituitary or spleen weights between ginseng- and vehicle-treated rats. These results demonstrate that P. quinquefolium significantly facilitates male copulatory behavior. The reduction in plasma prolactin levels suggests that ginseng-induced alterations in dopaminergic neurotransmission may play a role in the ability of P. quinquefolium to stimulate copulatory behavior in the male rat.
Properties of ginseng saponin inhibition of catecholamine secretion in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells
1998, European Journal of Pharmacology
To investigate the relationship between the inhibitory effects of ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) on acetylcholine-evoked secretion of catecholamines and the structures of ginsenosides, we examined the effects of ginsenoside-Rg₃ and -Rh₂, which are panaxadiol saponins, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg₂, which are epimers involving the hydroxyl group at C-20 of sapogenin, and other plant saponins on the acetylcholine-evoked secretion of catecholamines from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. The ginsenoside-Rg₃ (1–100 μM) and -Rh₂ (10–100 μM) greatly reduced the acetylcholine-evoked secretion in a concentration-dependent manner comparable to that of ginsenoside-Rg₂, a panaxatriol saponin, which was the most potent inhibitor in our previous study. 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg₂ (1–100 μM) similarly reduced the acetylcholine-evoked secretion. In contrast, saikosaponin-a, glycyrrhizin and the cardiac glycosides (100 nM–100 μM), digitoxin and digoxin, had no significant inhibitory effect on catecholamine secretion. Saikosaponin-c (10–100 μM), however, had an inhibitory effect, which was less than that of ginsenoside-Rg₂ and -Rg₃. These results strongly suggest that the inhibitory effects of ginsenosides on the acetylcholine-evoked secretion of catecholamines from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells are a unique property of ginseng. Further, the relationship between the inhibitory effects and the structures of ginsenosides is discussed.

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European Journal of Pharmacology

Abstract

References (19)

Drug effects on agonistic behavior

Psychotropic effect of ginseng saponins on agonistic behavior between resident and intruder mice

European J. Pharmacol.

Differentiating types of attack and defense in rodents

The symptomatology of puerperal illnesses

Br. J. Psychiat.

Experimental determinants of postpartum aggression in mice

J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol.

Chemico-pharmacological studies on saponins of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer

Arzneim. Forsch.

Studies on Panax ginseng root: physical properties of ginsenoside

J. Med. Pharmacol. Soc. Wakan-Yaku

Pharmacological actions of ginseng saponin in stress mice

J. Pharm. Dyn.

Effects of drugs on behaviour of aggressive mice

Br. J. Pharmacol.

Cited by (24)

Protective role of the ginsenoside Rg1 against methimazole-induced gestational hypothyroidism on reflexive behaviors, conditioned fear and cortical antioxidant levels in mice offspring

Anxiolytic effect of saponins from Panax quinquefolium in mice

Identification of anxiolytic ingredients in ginseng root using the elevated plus-maze test in mice

Effects of ginseng saponins on responses induced by various receptor stimuli

Effect of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) on male copulatory behavior in the rat

Properties of ginseng saponin inhibition of catecholamine secretion in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells