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Inhibitory effects of ginseng total saponin on nicotine-induced hyperactivity, reverse tolerance and dopamine

H S Kim1, K S Kim

  • 1College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea. hskim@trut.chungbuk.ac.kr

Behavioural Brain Research
|September 4, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Ginseng total saponin (GTS) mitigates nicotine-induced hyperactivity and reverse tolerance in mice. GTS also inhibits the development of dopamine receptor supersensitivity, suggesting a protective role against nicotine

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Nicotine administration can induce hyperactivity and reverse tolerance, characterized by an increased ambulatory response.
  • Repeated nicotine exposure leads to postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity, evidenced by enhanced responses to dopamine agonists like apomorphine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of ginseng total saponin (GTS) on nicotine-induced hyperactivity, reverse tolerance, and dopamine receptor supersensitivity in mice.
  • To explore the potential role of dopaminergic pathways and receptor sensitivity in nicotine's behavioral effects and GTS's modulatory actions.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were administered nicotine to induce hyperactivity and reverse tolerance.
  • Ginseng total saponin (GTS) was administered before and during nicotine treatment.
  • Ambulatory activity was measured to assess responses to nicotine and apomorphine (a dopamine receptor agonist).

Main Results:

  • Ginseng total saponin (GTS) inhibited nicotine-induced hyperactivity.
  • GTS prevented the development of reverse tolerance to nicotine's ambulation-accelerating effects.
  • GTS also inhibited the development of postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity in nicotine-treated mice.

Conclusions:

  • Ginseng total saponin (GTS) effectively inhibits nicotine-induced hyperactivity and reverse tolerance.
  • The inhibitory effects of GTS may be linked to the modulation of dopaminergic activation and dopamine receptor sensitivity.
  • GTS demonstrates potential in mitigating adverse behavioral and neurochemical changes associated with nicotine exposure.

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