Ginsenoside Rg1 Modulates Spontaneous Synchronous Ca2+ Oscillations of Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Abstract

Ginsenoside Rg1, the main active ingredient of Ginseng Radix which is a famous Chinese medicine, is widely used as an anti-stress, anti-aging and neurological performance improving agent. In this study, we used calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp techniques to investigate the effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 on spontaneous and synchronous Ca 2+ oscillations and the possible mechanisms in primarily cultured hippocampal neuronal networks. We found that Ginse- noside Rg1 could decrease the frequencies of spontaneous and synchronous Ca 2+ oscillations and inhibit the amplitude of high-voltage activated calcium channel currents. These results provided the experimental evidence for the clinical applica- tion of Rg1 as a neuroprotector on the cellular level, and enriched the theoretical system of Chinese medicine.