Effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 on the Survival Rate and Neuronal Plasticity of Primary Cultured Cortical Neurons

Objective:To study the effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 on the survival rate and neuronal plasticity of primary cultured cortical neurons.Methods:Cortical neurons obtained from fetal rats were cultured in culture media supplemented with Ginsenoside Rg1(1mg/L,10mg/L,100mg/L)and bFGF(0μg/L)respectively.Neurons cultured in non-supplemented media served as contro1.Phase-contrast microscope observations,measurement of neurite length,and MTT methods were used to evaluate the survival and activity of the cultured neurons.Western-blot was applied to detect the expression level of Growth Associated Protein-43(GAP43) and Neurofilament-200(NF200).Result:(1)Neurite length of neurons in the experimental groups(10mg/L,100mg/L)was longer than in the control.(2)Cell survival rate in all the experimental groups was superior to that in the control group in MTT values.(3)The expression level of GAP-43 and NF-200 of the experimental groups(10mg/L,100mg/L)was longer than those of the control.Conclusion:Ginsenoside Rg1 can enhance neuronal survival,promote axonal growth,and increase the expression of neuronal plasticity associated proteins in vitro.