Journal of Pharmacological Sciences (Jan 2003)

Red Ginseng Inhibits Exercise-Induced Increase in 5-Hydroxytryptamine Synthesis and Tryptophan Hydroxylase Expression in Dorsal Raphe of Rats

  • Yeong-Ki Min,
  • Seok-Hee Chung,
  • Jong-Soo Lee,
  • Sung-Soo Kim,
  • Hyun-Dae Shin,
  • Baek-Vin Lim,
  • Min-Chul Shin,
  • Mi-Hyeon Jang,
  • Ee-Hwa Kim,
  • Chang-Ju Kim

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 93, no. 2
pp. 218 – 221

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: Red ginseng has been used as an ergogenic aid for endurance exercise. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of Red ginseng on the endurance in treadmill exercise and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of rats were studied. Rats receiving Red ginseng showed increased time to exhaustion for treadmill running, and Red ginseng treatment inhibited exercise-induced increases in 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe. These results suggest that the suppressive effect of Red ginseng on serotonin level during exercise is a possible ergogenic mechanism of Red ginseng.