The protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on dopaminergic neurons of substantia in the ovariectomized rat model of Parkinson's disease / 中国应用生理学杂志

ABSTRACT

<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>