Ginsenoside Rb1 modulates level of monoamine neurotransmitters in mice frontal cortex and cerebellum in response to immobilization stress

Abstract

Cerebral monoamines play important roles as neurotransmitters that are associated with various stressful stimuli. Some components such as ginsenosides (triterpenoidal glycosides derived from the Ginseng Radix) may interact with monoamine systems. The aim of this study was to determine whether ginsenoside Rb1 can modulate levels of the monoamines such as dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EP), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydorxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in mice frontal cortex and cerebellum in response to immobilization stress. Mice were treated with ginsenoside Rb1 (10 mg/kg, oral) before a single 30 min immobilization stress. Acute immobilization stress resulted in elevation of monoamine levels in frontal cortex and cerebellum. Pretreatment with ginsenoside Rb1 attenuated the stress-induced changes in the levels of monoamines in each region. The present findings showed the anti-stress potential of ginsenoside Rb1 in relation to regulation effects on the cerebral monoaminergic systems. Therefore, the ginsenoside Rb1 may be a useful candidate for treating several brain symptoms related with stress. © 2012 The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology.