ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neuroprotective effect, effective dose and time window of ginseng total saponins (GTS) treatment in rat after traumatic brain injury (TBI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The modified Feeney's method was used to establish TBI model in rat. GTS was treated intraperitoneally. The neurological function and histological morphology of brain tissue were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Different doses of GTS were used 6 h after TBI. The neurological and histological results showed that: compared with the TBI group, significant efficacy was observed 2 - 14 days after injury with GTS treatment at 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/kg (P < 0.05); The effects of GTS at 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg were better than those of GTS at 10 and 80 mg/kg. During the research on the time window of GTS intervention, GTS (20 mg/kg) showed significant effect when used at 3 h and 6 h after TBI; however 12 h, 24 h after TBI, application of GTS did not exert any significant effect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GTS intervention after TBI could reduce brain damage and promote recovery of the neurological function. Among doses of GTS 5 - 80 mg/kg, 20 - 60 mg/kg is the best dose limit. The effective time window of GTS is 6 h after TBI.</p>