ABSTRACT
Objective To observe effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein 2 (pMAP-2) in hippocampus and amygdala of depressive model rats. Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group. The depression rat model was produced by giving chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS). Treatment group was given daily intragastric administration of ginsenoside RB 1 (1 g/mL crude drug, 1 mL/100 g body weight) for 22 days during modeling. Western blot assay was used to detect expressions of MAP-2 and pMAP-2 protein, and real-time PCR was used to detect expressions of pMAP-2 mRNA respectively. Results The expressions of pMAP-2 protein and mRNA in hippocampus and amygdala were significantly lower in model group than those of control group (P < 0.05). The expressions of pMAP-2 protein and mRNA were significantly higher in treatment group than those of model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Ginsenoside Rb1 can play anti-depression role by inhibiting the phosphorylation of MAP-2 in rats.