Protective effect of ginsenoside-Re against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion damage in rats.

Abstract

To investigate the protective effect of ginsenoside Re (Re) against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, adult male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were subjected to either sham surgery or middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h of brain ischemia and 2 h reperfusion. A fluorescence polarization assay was carried out for membrane fluidity of brain mitochondria. Lipid peroxidation [malondiadehyde (MDA) formation], superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) of rat brain were estimated by fluorometric methods. It was observed that Re (5, 10, 20 mg kg-1 p.o. pretreatment for 7 d, once a day) significantly improved the fluidity of mitochondrial membranes as demonstrated by a reduction of average microviscosity, ameliorated lipid peroxidation by raising the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, and reduced the content of MDA in rat brain. This study demonstrated a direct protective effect of Re against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

• Authors: Xiao-Mian Zhou, Ying-Lin Cao, De-Qiang Dou
• Journal: Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin (Biol Pharm Bull) Vol. 29 Issue 12 Pg. 2502-5 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 0918-6158 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 17142990 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ginsenosides
• ginsenoside Re

Topics

• Animals
• Brain (blood supply)
• Ginsenosides (pharmacology)
• Male
• Membrane Fluidity (drug effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Reperfusion Injury (prevention & control)