Neuroprotective Effects of Red Ginseng Saponins in Scopolamine-Treated Rats and Activity Screening Based on Pharmacokinetics.

Jianbo Chen,Meijia Li,Yinshi Sun,Di Qu

doi:10.3390/molecules24112136

Jianbo Chen, Meijia Li + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24112136

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Abstract

Ginseng has been used to alleviate age-related dementia and memory deterioration for thousands of years. This study investigated the protective effect of red ginseng saponins against scopolamine-induced cerebral injury. Meanwhile, pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides in normal and scopolamine-treated rats were compared. After scopolamine injection, glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly decreased when compared with control group. Compared with SA group, pretreatment of rats with red ginseng saponins could increase glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase level. Treatment with red ginseng saponins significantly decreased malondialdehyde level. In the pharmacokinetic analysis, a pattern recognition analysis method was used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of the absorbed compounds in blood. The pharmacokinetic parameters of Rg1, Rg2, Rh3, Rg5 and Rk1 in model group had higher area under the curve (AUC), mean residence time (MRT) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) values; area under the curve (AUC) values and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of model group was significantly different from that of normal group (p < 0.05). The Cmax value of Rk3, Rh1, Rh2 and Rh4 in model group was higher than normal group, but their AUC values were not significantly different. There was no significantly difference in time at Cmax (Tmax), AUC and Cmax values of Rb1, Rb2 Re, Rc, Rd and Rf between the model and normal group. 16 ginsenosides were grouped into three separate clusters according to principal component analysis (PCA) score plot based on pharmacokinetic data. The results suggested red ginseng saponins have significant protective effect against scopolamine-induced memory deficit and scopolamine-induced rats could lead to the changes of pharmacokinetic behaviors of ginsenosides.

Highlights

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a brain degenerative neurological disease, which is featured by memory decline and behavioral confusion [1,2]
We investigated the pharmacokinetics of the main ginsenosides in scopolamine-treated rats after oral administration of red ginseng saponins and we conducted a preliminary activity screening based on pharmacokinetics by pattern recognition approach, which is expected to provide reference for therapeutic effect evaluation
The decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CAT activity was reversed by the pretreatment of rats with red ginseng saponins (RGS)

Summary

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a brain degenerative neurological disease, which is featured by memory decline and behavioral confusion [1,2]. According to relevant research, sustained oligemia or ischemic injury in the brain will lead to damage of cognitive function, memory and behavior [3,4]. Scopolamine (SA) was used extensively to screen for potential anti-dementia drugs because it can impair learning and memory [5,6]. According to some in vivo studies, AD and scopolamine treated subjects show an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) damage (the two can be considered biomarkers of oxidative damage and nitrosative damage, respectively). It has been reported that glutathione (GSH) depletion could affect mitochondrial function.

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