American ginseng extract reduces scopolamine-induced amnesia in a spatial learning task.
Keywords
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine if HT-1001, an extract of American ginseng, affects scopolamine-induced memory and performance deficits in a spatial learning task, alters brain concentrations of aminergic neurotransmitters, and alters choline uptake in synaptosome preparations.
METHODS
Animal study.
METHODS
48 Sprague Dawley rats.
METHODS
Long-term oral administration of a test material or control solution. Intraperitoneal administration of scopolamine (2 mg/kg) 30 minutes before testing.
METHODS
Performance on Morris water maze task, choline uptake, aminergic neurotransmitter analysis, in vitro monoamine oxidase analysis (of compounds).
RESULTS
HT-1001 protected against scopolamine-induced amnesia and increased choline uptake in synaptosomal preparations. HT-1001 did not alter brain concentrations of norepinephrine, dopamine, 5-HT (serotonin), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid or 5-hydroxyindoleactic acid. HT-1001 had a very weak ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase activity in vitro.
CONCLUSIONS
HT-1001 demonstrates a capacity to protect against scopolamine-induced memory deficits.
