Ginsenoside Rg1 Ameliorates Motor Function in an Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and diminished dopamine levels in the striatum. Accumulating evidence supported that ginsenoside Rg1, the major pharmacologically active compound of ginseng, has a wide range of neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects under physiological and pathological conditions. Although Rg1 administration protects dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of PD, it is unclear if Rg1 treatment ameliorates motor function in PD.

Using the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) that causes dopaminergic neurodegeneration, we investigated the effect of Rg1 on 3 tests of motor behaviors in mice: the accelerating rotarod, wire suspension and pole tests.

The results showed that Rg1 treatment (10 mg/kg, i.p.) succeeded in restoring motor functions to physiological level in MPTP-treated mice. Importantly, these behavioral ameliorations were accompanied by an attenuation of the MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SN and striatum.

These findings indicate that Rg1 can significantly rescue the deficit of motor function in mice model of PD, and suggest that Rg1 may be a potential therapeutic agent against PD and related disorders.