• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.138-142
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• 2000

Effects of ginsenosides (Rb$_1$, Rb$_2$, Rc, Re, Rg$_1$, Rf) on L-glutamate (glutamate)-induced swelling of cultured astrocytes from rat brain cerebral cortex were studied. Following the exposure to 0.5mM glutamate for 1 hr, the intracellular water space (as measured by [$^3$H]O-methyl-D-glucose uptake) of astrocytes increased by about two-fold. Simultaneous addition of ginsenosides Rb$_2$ and Rc with glutamate reduced the astrocytic swelling in a dose-dependent manner. These ginsenosides at 0.5 mg/ml did not affect the viability of astrocytes for up to 24 hr which was determined by a colorimetric assay (MTT assay) for cellular growth and survival. These ginsenosides at 0.3 mg/ml inhibited the increase of intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ concentration ([Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/) induced by glutamate. These data suggest ginsenosides Rb$_2$ and Rc prevent the cell swelling of astrocytes induced by glutamate, maybe via inhibition of Ca$\^$2+/ influx.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.307-310
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• 2005

Cerebral ischemia results in neuronal changes in remote areas that have fiber connections with the ischemic area. The aim of this study was to investigate the nigral changes by examining the correlation between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the tissue structure. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. Four days after the occlusion, when T2-weighted images revealed the presence of an area of high signal intensity in the ipsilateral substantia nigra, and the ADCs were calculated and imaged. Histopathologic examination by both light and electron microscopy was performed on day 4 after surgery. This finding was consistent with the high signal intensity seen on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images, as well as with the ADC reduction, but we did not expect to observe uniform ADC reduction attributable mainly to astrocytic swelling in the perivascular end-feet.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 1997

The effects of ginseng total saponins (GTS) on hypoxic damage of primary cultures of astrocytes were studied. Hypoxia was created by placing cultures in an air tight chamber that was flushed with 95% $N_2/5%CO_2$ for 15 min before being sealed. Cultures showed evidence of significant cell injury after 24 h of hypoxia (increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the culture medium, cell swelling and decreased glutamate uptake and protein content). Addition of GTS (0.1, 0.3 mg/ml) to the cultures during the exposure to hypoxic conditions produced dose-dependent inhibition of the LDH efflux. GTS (0.1, 0.3 mg/ml) also produced significant inhibition of the increased cell volume of astrocytes measured by $[^3H]$ O-methyl-D-glucose uptake under the hypoxic conditions. Decreased glutamate uptake and protein content was inhibited by GTS. These data suggest that GTS prevents astrocytic cell injury induced by severe hypoxia in vitro.