Inhibition by ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 of methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity, conditioned place preference and postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity in mice

The ginsenosides Rb-1 and Rg(1), the major components of ginseng saponin, inhibited not only methamphetamine induced hyperactivity but also conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice following a single or repeated administration. Dopamine (DA) receptor supersensitivity, which developed in methamphetamine-induced CPP mice, was also inhibited by both Rb-1 and Rg(1). Therefore, the present results suggest that Rb-1 and Rg(1) may be the active components of ginseng saponin in the modulation of methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic behaviors such as hyperactivity and CPP, supporting our previous conclusion that ginseng saponin might modulate methamphetamine-induced dysfunction at both the pre- and postsynaptic DA receptors. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.