Ginseng Gintonin Attenuates Lead-Induced Rat Cerebellar Impairments during Gestation and Lactation.

Abstract

Gintonin, a novel ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid receptor ligand, improves brain functions and protects neurons from oxidative stress. However, little is known about the effects of gintonin against Pb-induced brain maldevelopment. We investigated the protective effects of gintonin on the developing cerebellum after prenatal and postnatal Pb exposure. Pregnant female rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, Pb (0.3% Pb acetate in drinking water), and Pb plus gintonin (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Blood Pb was increased in dams and pups; gintonin treatment significantly decreased blood Pb. On postnatal day 21, the number of degenerating Purkinje cells was remarkably increased while the number of calbindin-, GAD67-, NMDAR1-, LPAR1-immunoreactive intact Purkinje cells, and GABA transporter 1-immunoreactive pinceau structures were significantly reduced in Pb-exposed offspring. Following Pb exposure, gintonin ameliorated cerebellar degenerative effects, restored increased pro-apoptotic Bax, and decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl2. Gintonin treatment attenuated Pb-induced accumulation of oxidative stress (Nrf2 and Mn-SOD) and inflammation (IL-1β and TNFα,), restoring the decreased cerebellar BDNF and Sirt1. Gintonin ameliorated Pb-induced impairment of myelin basic protein-immunoreactive myelinated fibers of Purkinje cells. Gintonin attenuated Pb-induced locomotor dysfunctions. The present study revealed the ameliorating effects of gintonin against Pb, suggesting the potential use of gintonin as a preventive agent in Pb poisoning during pregnancy and lactation.

• Authors: Sung Min Nam, Sun-Hye Choi, Hee-Jung Cho, Jin Seok Seo, Minsuk Choi, Sang-Soep Nahm, Byung-Joon Chang, Seung-Yeol Nah
• Journal: Biomolecules (Biomolecules) Vol. 10 Issue 3 (03 02 2020) ISSN: 2218-273X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 32131481 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Plant Extracts
• gintonin

Topics

• Animals
• Female
• Lactation (metabolism)
• Lead Poisoning (drug therapy, embryology, pathology)
• Maternal Exposure (adverse effects)
• Panax (chemistry)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Pregnancy
• Purkinje Cells (metabolism, pathology)
• Rats