Ginsenoside Rg1 exerts neuroprotective effects in 3-nitropronpionic acid-induced mouse model of Huntington's disease via suppressing MAPKs and NF-κB pathways in the striatum

摘要

Huntington's disease (HD) is one of main neurodegenerative diseases,characterized by striatal atrophy,involuntary movements,and motor incoordination.Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1),an active ingredient in ginseng,possesses a variety of neuroprotective effects with low toxicity and side effects.In this study,we investigated the potential therapeutic effects of Rg1 in a mouse model of HD and explored the underlying mechanisms.HD was induced in mice by injection of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP,i.p.) for 4 days.From the first day of 3-NP injection,the mice were administered Rg1 (10,20,40 mg·kg-1,p.o.) for 5 days.We showed that oral pretreatment with Rg1 alleviated 3-NP-induced body weight loss and behavioral defects.Furthermore,pretreatment with Rg1 ameliorated 3-NP-induced neuronal loss and ultrastructural morphological damage in the striatum.Moreover,pretreatment with Rg1 reduced 3-NP-induced apoptosis and inhibited the activation of microglia,inflammatory mediators in the striatum.We revealed that Rg1 exerted neuroprotective effects by suppressing 3-NP-induced activation of the MAPKs and NF-KB signaling pathways in the striatum.Thus,our results suggest that Rg1 exerts therapeutic effects on 3-NP-induced HD mouse model via suppressing MAPKs and NF-KB signaling pathways.Rg1 may be served as a novel therapeutic option for HD.