Neuroprotective effects of pretreatment of ginsenoside Rb1 on severe cerebral ischemia-induced injuries in aged mice: Involvement of anti-oxidant signaling

AimGinsenosides, a class of ginseng compounds of herbal medicine, have been shown to have therapeutic potential for the neuroprotection of brain damage after cerebral ischemia because of their activities including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation. In the elderly population, aging-induced oxidative stress has been implicated in exacerbating brain injury, which might also be ameliorated by anti-oxidants, such as ginsenosides. However, this hypothesis has yet to be explored. MethodsHere we present invivo studies highlighting a protective function of ginsenoside Rb1, a natural steroid glycoside derivative purified from saponin of Panax ginseng, in neurological injury during aging. ResultsCompared with young mice, the recovery of brain damage after middle cerebral artery occlusion is significantly impaired in aged mice, whereas the long-term pretreatment with ginsenoside Rb1 through oral administration can greatly prevent the injury in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we further explored the involvement of oxidative stress and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in aged mice stimulated by cerebral ischemia, both of which were found to be blocked by ginsenoside Rb1. ConclusionsThese observations suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 could represent promising applications as anti-oxidants for the anti-aging treatment of neurological disorders, such as stroke, in elderly patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 338-345.