Stress, ginsenoside effects

Luo, Y.M., Cheng, X.J., and Yuan, W.X., Effects of ginseng root saponins and ginsenoside Rbl on immunity in cold water swim stress mice and rats, Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao, 14, 401, 1993. 

Radad, K., Gille, G., Moldzio, R., Saito, H., and Rausch, W.-D. (2004b). Ginsenosides Rbl and Rgl effects on mesencephalic dopaminergic cells stressed with glutamate. Brain Res. 1021, 41-53. 

These trials, done on animals as pharmacological models, show not only the activity of the G115 extract but also provide proof that there is a certain relation between dose and response. Moreover, the experiments reveal that by increasing the dose of G115 or of the ginsenosides beyond a certain quantity, the desired pharmacological effects are reversed. It has to be stressed that in most cases the results have been achieved after oral administration of G115 (and not after intraperitoneal or intravenous administration). 

Ginsenosides markedly prolong the time of survival in normobaric hypoxia stress mice, and regenerate locomotory activity in mice. They possess anti-stress activities and show effects on neurotransmitters. The observed anti-heat stress effects of ginsenosides may be mediated by brain monoamines and the hypothalamus (HPA) system. Ginsenosides selectively modulate the circadian variations of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxy-indole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), nor-epinedrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) levels, but as a function of the time of the light-dark cycle [79, 80]. 

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