Effects of ginsenosides on somatostatin mRNA expression in rat Alzheimer's disease model

Objective: To study the effects of ginsenosides (GS) on somatostatin (SS) mRNA expression in hippocampus of rat Alzheimer's disease (AD) model. Methods: Rat AD models were induced by D-galactose and lesion of basal Meynert nucleus with ibotenic acid (IBO). Average gray value and average density of SS mRNA-expressing neurons in hippocampus were detected with in situ hybridization and image analysis. Results: Compared with normal control rats, average gray value increased significantly and average density of SS mRNA-expressing neurons decreased significantly in AD model rats. Compared with AD model rats, gray value of SS mRNA-expressing neurons in prevented and treated rats decreased significantly, but the average density increased. There were statistical differences in gray value and average density in CA4 and DG regions between normal control rats and GS control rats. Conclusion : The study indicates that GS may prevent the decline of SS mRNA expression in hippocampus of AD model rats.