Effects of Red Ginseng Saponin on Normal and Scopolamine-induced Memory Impairment of Mice in Passive Avoidance Task

정상 및 기억손상 유도 동물의 수동회피반응에 대한 홍삼 사포닌의 효과

This study was performed to examine the effect of red ginseng total saponin and extract on memory in mice using one trial step-down type passive avoidance method. Red ginseng total saponins (No. 1: PD/PT ratio=1.24, No. 2: PD/PT ratio=1.47) were prepared with the different mixing ratio by using the parts of red ginseng. In single administration of total saponin No. 1 (100 mg/ kg, bw) or No. 2 (50 mg/kg, bw) increased the latency time as compared with control group but was not statistically significant. Treatment of total saponin No. 1 (50 mg/kg, bw) for 10 days produced an increase of latency time but was not statistically significant. In scopolamine-induced memory deficient mice total saponin No. 1 (50 mg/kg, bw) and No. 2 (100 mg/kg, bw) significantly improved the latency time. These results show that red ginseng total saponin may improve the memory of sco-polamine-induced memory deficient mice and have nootropic activity.