Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 effects on survival and neurite growth of MPP+-affected mesencephalic dopaminergic cells

Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 are the main active ingredients of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae). They appear to exert protection against ischaemia and anoxic damage in animal models, suggesting an antioxidative and cytoprotective role. In our study, primary cultures from embryonic mouse mesencephalon are applied to examine the effects of these two ginsenosides on neuritic growth of dopaminergic cells and their survival affected by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-iodide (MPP+). Ginsenoside Rb1 (at 10 muM) enhanced the survival of dopaminergic neurons by 19% compared to untreated control. MPP+ (at 1 muM) significantly reduced the number of dopaminergic neurons and severely affected neuronal processes. Both ginsenosides counteracted these degenerations and significantly protected lengths and numbers of neurites of TH+ cells. Both compounds however could not prevent the cell loss caused by MPP+. Our study thus indicates partial neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 in dopaminergic cell culture.