Effects of Panax ginseng Radix herb-acupuncture on c-fos expression in the hippocampus of ethanol-intoxicated Sprague-Dawley rats

인삼(人蔘) 약침(藥鍼)이 에탄올 중독 흰쥐의 해마에서 c-fos 생성에 미치는 영향

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Panax ginseng Radix herb-acupuncture on c-fos expression in each area of the hippocampus of acutely ethanol-intoxicated rats. Methods : Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley tats were divided into untreated(normal), ethanol-treated(control), Panax ginseng Radix-treated(sample A), ethanol-and Panax gingseng Radix-treated(sample B) groups. Each group was evaluated by the changes of c-fos-positive neurons in each area of the hippocampus by using and image analyzer and microscope. Results : 1. In the CA1 area, the number of c-fos-positive neurons in the control group was diminished compared with the normal group. The number of c-fos-positive neurons in the sample B group had no marked difference from the control group. 2. In the CA2-3 area, the number of c-fos-positive neurons in the control group was diminished compared with the normal group, The number of c-fos-positive neurons in the sample B group was increased compared with the control group. 3. In the Dentate gyrus area, the number of c-fos-positive neurons in the control group was diminished compared with the normal group. The number of c-fos-positive neurons in the sample B group was increased compared with the control group. Conclusions : These results indicate that, c-fos expression in each area of the hippocampus was reduced in ethanol-intoxicated group. Treatment of Panax ginseng Radix herb-acupuncture increased this diminution. Panax ginseng Radix could be able to effect on the prevention of the amnesia and learning disability in alcoholism.