Ginseng extract G115 improves locomotor function in rotenone-induced parkinsonism rats via an antioxidant effect

Abstract

Exposure to certain pesticides including rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitors, may cause the oxidative damage to the dopaminergic neurons and contribute to Parkinson’s disease. Herein we demonstrate that ginseng extract G115 could attenuate locomotor activity impairment in rotenone-induced parkinsonism rats. Rotenone was shown to significantly impair the movement of rat related to its ability to reduce free radical scavenging capability and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the rat brain. Ginseng extract G115 (400 mg/kg) given 14 days before and concurrently with rotenone significantly protected against rotenone-induced locomotor impairment at day 17, but not day 20. In addition, the treatment with ginseng extract G115 (400 and 800 mg/kg) significantly prevented the loss of free radical scavenging and SOD activities in rotenone-treated rats while inhibiting the lipid peroxidation. Together, the present study provides mechanistic insight into rotenone-mediated PD as well as the information of ginseng extract that is promising for the prevention.

Keywords

• ginseng extract G115
• rotenone
• parkinsonism
• antioxidant effect