We previously found that
ginsenoside Rd (Rd), one of the main active ingredients in Panax ginseng, protects against ischemic brain damage induced by
oxygen-
glucose deprivation in vitro and
middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in vivo. Considering
stroke happens frequently in aged individuals, we herein sought to further define the protective effects of Rd in the aged mice. 16-18-month-old mice administered with Rd (0.1-200 mg/kg) or vehicle were subjected to transient MCAO. Rd at the doses of 10-50 mg/kg significantly reduced both cortical and striatal
infarct volume. This protection was associated with an improvement in neurological function and was sustained for at least 2 weeks after the insult. Importantly, Rd was effective even when administered up to 4 h after recirculation. To evaluate the underlying mechanisms, oxidative DNA damage was identified by 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine immunostaining, oxidative
protein damage was identified by the assessment of
protein carbonyl, and lipid peroxidation was estimated by determining the
malondialdehyde formation. Rd significantly suppressed the accumulations of
DNA,
protein and lipid peroxidation products at 24 h post-
ischemia. Rd also protected mitochondria at 4 and 24 h after reperfusion as indicated by preserved respiratory chain complex activities and
aconitase activity, lowered mitochondrial
hydrogen peroxide production, and hyperpolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, Rd partly enhanced
endogenous antioxidant activities following MCAO. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that Rd exerts neuroprotection against transient focal
ischemia in the aged brain, which may be associated with the attenuation of redox imbalance.