Effects of standardized extracts GK501, from Ginkgo biloba L., G115 from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, and their combination, gincosan® (PHL‐00701), on the brain levels of biogenic monoamines and on the serum content of prolactin, growth hormone and ACTH

Abstract

AbstractIn experiments on old (26 months old) rats, we found that the extracts of Panax ginseng (G115), Ginkgo biloba (GK501) and their combination Gincosan® (PHL‐00701) administered orally at two doses for 7 days induced changes in the levels of biogenic monoamines in some brain regions (frontal cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus and pons). The most characteristic change was the increase produced by the two extracts and their combination in the serotonin level in all brain structures except for pons compared with controls. In the hippocampus G115, GK501 and their combination decreased the noradrenaline level. The same doses of G115, GK501 and their combination applied for 7 days to young (3 months old) and old (26 months old) rats caused significant changes in the blood level of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and ACTH compared with age‐matched controls: both G115 and GK501 decreased the serum level of PRL compared with age‐matched controls; the hormone level being high in old controls, in extract‐treated rats it became equal to that in young controls; G115 and PHL‐00701 greatly increased the serum level of ACTH in both age groups compared with age‐matched controls. Under conditions of induced immobilization and cold stress in young rats, the 7‐day pretreatment with G115, GK501 and their combination led to significant changes in the blood levels of PRL, GH and ACTH compared with control untreated stressed and unstressed rats.