Ginsenoside Modulates K⁺-Stimulated Noradrenaline Release from Rat Cerebral Cortex Slices

Abstract

The release of labelled noradrenaline from rat cerebral cortes slices preloaded with l-[7,8-³ H]noradrenaline ([³ H]NA) was measured in Krebs-Ringer-Bicarbonate media containing either 5.0 (KR) or 50 mM KCl. Experiments were also performed in media containing either 2.5 mM of or no calcium. Total ginsenoside, at concentrations ranged from 0.001 to 50 µg/ml, reduced the high K⁺-evoked release of [³ H]NA in calcium-containing but not in calcium-free media, and this inhibition was concentration-dependent. It, however, failed to affect the release of [³ H]NA significantly from undepolarized samples in KR media. These results are in agreement with suggestion that ginsenosides may affect behavior and brain function.