Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on nNOS and iNOS Expressions in Rat Brain Tissue after Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion

QU Huiying; YUAN Jing; BAO Cuifen; QIN Shujian

doi:10.3969/j.issn.0253-9896.2014.09.010

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in brain tissue after cerebral arterial thrombosis in adult rats. Methods Thirty rats were randomly divided into the sham-operative group, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group, Ginsenoside Rg1-L group, Ginsenoside Rg1-M group, Ginsen-oside Rg1-H group and nimodipine group (n=5 for each group). The ischemia-reperfusion rat model was established by mid-dle cerebral artery occlusion. The neurological score after reperfusion was observed. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), neuronal NOS (nNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) were detected by nitrate reduction method and colorimetric method. The expressions of nNOS and iNOS after reperfusion were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay. Results (1) The neu-rological scores after cerebral ischemia were significantly lower in Rg1-L group, Rg1-M group and Rg1-H group than those of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group(2.40±0.55,1.80±0.84, 1.60±0.89 vs 3.20±0.84,P<0.05). (2) Compared with those of model group, serum levels of NO and iNOS were reduced, and nNOS levels increased, in three groups of Rg1. (3) Compared with those of model group, the expression of nNOS was significantly increased,and iNOS expression was significantly re-duced, in three groups of Rg1. Conclusion The preventive effects of Ginsenosides Rg1 on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury may be associated with the activation of nNOS and the inhibition of iNOS.