Modulation of LPS-Stimulated Astroglial Activation by Ginseng Total Saponins

Ginseng, a traditional medicine in Asian countries, is known to prevent various neuropathologic diseases such as Alzheimer's. Ginseng total saponins (GTS) in particular are one of the most effective ginseng extract compounds for neuroprotection. However, their protective effects on astrocytes are rarely reported. In pathological circumstances, astroglial activation plays a pivotal role in neuroinflammation. Subsequently, neuroinflammation induced by activated astrocytes causes brain damage. The purpose of the present study was to determine the suppressive effects of GTS on astroglial activation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)stimulated rat primary astrocytes. Astrocytes treated for 24 h with LPS demonstrated suppressed glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of GTS. GTS reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-1 beta and inhibited the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-stimulated astrocytes. Furthermore, GTS suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species production. These modulations due to GTS may indicate neuroprotective antiinflanimatory properties which may in turn be related to improvements in neurological performance.