• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.615-619
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• 2017

Background: Black ginseng has a more potent biological activity than non-steamed ginseng. We investigated the effects of long-term intake of dietary black ginseng extract (BG) on antioxidant activity in aged mice. We also compared the effects of BG on cognitive deficits with those of white ginseng extract (WG) and red ginseng extract (RG). Methods: Ten-month-old mice were fed an AIN-93G-based diet containing 10 g/kg (low dose, L) or 30 g/kg (high dose, H) WG powder, RG powder, or BG powder for 24 wk. We measured serum lipids, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, the protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter, which are presynaptic cholinergic markers in the cortex and hippocampus of the brain, were measured by western blotting. Results: Triglyceride levels were reduced in all the extract-treated mice, except those in the LBG group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the HBG group were higher than those in the control group. Total cholesterol levels were reduced in the LBG group. Additionally, glucose levels in the HBG group were significantly reduced by 41.2%. There were lower levels of malondialdehyde in the LBG group than in the control group. Furthermore, glutathione reductase activity increased in the HWG group and the HRG group. The protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter significantly increased in all the ginseng-treated groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that supplementation with the tested ginseng extracts may suppress the cognitive decline associated with aging, via regulation of the cholinergic and antioxidant defense systems.

• 생약학회지
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.319-326
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• 2016

We investigated the effect of Selaginella tamariscina extract on the learning and memory impairments in scopolamine-induced (5 mg/kg, i.p.) dementia rats. Rats treated with oral tacrin (20 mg/kg, p.o.) as positive control group and S. tamariscina extract 100, 200mg/kg, p. o. (SME 100, SME 200) as experimental group had significantly reduced scopolamine-induced memory deficits in the passive avoidance test. The acetylcholine content were paralleled the results of the behavior experiment. The acetylcholine contents of the experimental groups (SME 200 group) was higher than that of control group. We also evaluated expression of VAchT, vesicular acetylcholine transporter. SME was significantly increased VAchT expression on hippocampus of scopolamine-induced dementia rats. We suggest that S. tamariscina might exert a significantly neuro-protective effect on cognitive impairment.