Journal of Ginseng Research

The Korean Society of Ginseng (고려인삼학회)
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Korean Red Ginseng extract attenuates alcohol-induced addictive responses and cognitive impairments by alleviating neuroinflammation

  • Hee Jin Kim (Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Min Yeong Lee (Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Gyu Ri Kim (Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Hyun Jun Lee (Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Leandro Val Sayson (Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Darlene Mae D. Ortiz (Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Jae Hoon Cheong (School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University) ;
  • Mikyung Kim (Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University)
  • Received : 2022.06.27
  • Accepted : 2023.02.12
  • Published : 2023.07.01
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Abstract

Background: Alcohol is one of the most commonly used psychoactive drugs. Due to its addictive characteristics, many people struggle with the side effects of alcohol. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herbal medicine that is widely used to treat various health problems. However, the effects and mechanisms of KRG in alcohol-induced responses remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced responses. Methods: We investigated two aspects: alcohol-induced addictive responses and spatial working memory impairments. To determine the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced addictive responses, we performed conditioned place preference tests and withdrawal symptom observations. To assess the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced spatial working memory impairment, Y-maze, Barnes maze, and novel object recognition tests were performed using mice after repeated alcohol and KRG exposure. To investigate the potential mechanism of KRG activity, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and western blot analysis were performed. Results: KRG-treated mice showed dose-dependent restoration of impaired spatial working memory following repeated alcohol exposure. Furthermore, withdrawal symptoms to alcohol were reduced in mice treated with KRG and alcohol. The PKA-CREB signaling pathway was activated after alcohol administration, which was reduced by KRG. However, the levels of inflammatory cytokines were increased by alcohol and decreased by KRG. Conclusion: Taken together, KRG may alleviate alcohol-induced spatial working memory impairments and addictive responses through anti-neuroinflammatory activity rather than through the PKA-CREB signaling pathway.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by grants from the Korean Society of Ginseng (2021).

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