Neuroprotective Effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 in Pentylenetetrazole-Kindled Rats

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a common disease that often causes cognitive impairment in patients. Ginsenoside Rb1 has been shown to have a protective effect on hippocampal neurons, but its role in epilepsy is unclear. Herein, we investigate the protective effects of ginsenoside Rb1 in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled rats. Methods: The 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into 4 groups (n = 10/group): control, PTZ, PTZ + ginsenoside and ginsenoside groups. Rats in the control group were subjected to saline every other day for a total of 13 injections. Similarly, rats in the PTZ group were injected every other day with PTZ (dose, 35 mg/kg). Rats in the PTZ + ginsenoside group were additionally treated with ginsenoside (dose, 100 mg/kg) in addition to receiving PTZ. Rats in the ginsenoside group received injections of ginsenoside at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Following completion of the final injection, the Morris water maze test and relevant behavioural experiments were performed 24 h later on all rats in the four groups. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) content, as well as Nissl staining, were subsequently assessed in rats. Results: This study found that ginsenoside Rb1 pre-administration decreased the mean seizure duration and improved cognitive function compared to the PTZ group (p < 0.05). The behavioural test results indicated that the latency of the PTZ group during all sessions was longer compared with the control group (p < 0.05), and ginsenoside Rb1 alleviated this poorer performance. Additionally, ginsenoside Rb1 pretreatment diminished the MDA content and enhanced the GSH content compared to the PTZ group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, pretreatment with ginsenoside Rb1 observably reduced seizure-induced neuronal loss (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rb1 can inhibit seizures and improve PTZ-induced cognitive dysfunction by alleviating oxidative stress damage and neuronal loss in kindled rats.