Ginseng Water Extract Eases Parkinson's Symptoms in a Disease Model

Jenn Hoskins
21st September, 2024

Ginseng Water Extract Eases Parkinson's Symptoms in a Disease Model

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Changchun University of Chinese Medicine found that a water extract of ginseng (WEG) has neuroprotective effects in a Parkinson's disease (PD) mouse model
  • WEG inhibited the aggregation of α-synuclein, a toxic protein in PD, and increased the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, crucial for dopamine synthesis
  • WEG also improved intestinal health by increasing beneficial bacteria and normalizing gut microbiota, supporting the gut-brain connection in PD
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Increasing evidence suggests that gastrointestinal (GI) disorders often precede these motor symptoms, indicating a potential link between the gut and brain in PD pathogenesis[2][3]. A recent study conducted by Changchun University of Chinese Medicine explored the neuroprotective effects of a water extract of ginseng (WEG) on both the brain and intestinal systems in a PD mouse model[1]. The researchers used a well-established PD model by injecting MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) into male C57BL/6 mice. MPTP is known to induce PD-like symptoms by damaging dopaminergic neurons in the brain. The mice were then treated with WEG via oral gavage. The study aimed to investigate whether WEG could protect neuronal cells in the brain and ameliorate intestinal damage, thus offering a comprehensive treatment approach for PD. The findings revealed that WEG had a significant neuroprotective effect on the brain. It inhibited the aggregation of α-synuclein (α-Syn), a protein that forms toxic clumps in the brains of PD patients. Additionally, WEG increased the positive expression rate of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), an enzyme crucial for dopamine synthesis. These results suggest that WEG can protect dopaminergic neurons, thereby potentially alleviating motor symptoms in PD mice. Interestingly, the study also found that WEG improved intestinal damage and regulated intestinal disorders in PD mice. This aligns with earlier studies that have shown a strong association between GI dysfunction and PD[2][3]. Specifically, WEG increased the levels of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, and normalized the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota. This is particularly noteworthy because gut microbiota dysbiosis has been implicated in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including PD[4]. The concept of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, which involves bidirectional communication between the gut and brain, has gained traction in recent years. This axis includes neuroimmune, neuroendocrine, and direct neural pathways such as the vagus nerve. The study by Changchun University of Chinese Medicine provides compelling evidence that modulating the gut microbiota can have beneficial effects on the brain, thereby supporting the notion that PD may originate in the gut and spread to the brain[5]. The study's methodology involved rigorous testing to ensure the reliability of the results. MPTP was used to create a consistent PD model, and WEG was administered in a controlled manner. The researchers measured various parameters, including the aggregation of α-Syn, TH expression, and gut microbiota composition, to assess the efficacy of WEG. The results were statistically significant (P<0.05), indicating that the observed effects were not due to chance. This study ties together previous findings by demonstrating that targeting both the brain and gut can offer a more holistic approach to treating PD. Earlier research has highlighted the importance of the gut-brain axis in PD pathogenesis and suggested that GI symptoms often precede motor symptoms[2][3][5]. The current study expands on these findings by showing that WEG can protect neuronal cells and regulate gut microbiota, thereby addressing both aspects of the disease. In conclusion, the study by Changchun University of Chinese Medicine provides valuable insights into the neuroprotective and gut-regulating effects of WEG in a PD mouse model. By inhibiting α-Syn aggregation and increasing TH expression in the brain, as well as normalizing gut microbiota, WEG offers a promising therapeutic approach for PD. These findings underscore the importance of further research to explore the potential of gut-brain axis modulation in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Water extract of ginseng alleviates parkinsonism in MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mice.

Published 20th September, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296424

Related Studies

2) Gut-Brain Axis: Potential Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.00849

3) The frequency and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with early Parkinson's disease.

https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.14002

4) Dysfunction of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Neurodegenerative Disease: The Promise of Therapeutic Modulation With Prebiotics, Medicinal Herbs, Probiotics, and Synbiotics.

https://doi.org/10.1177/2515690X20957225

5) Pathogenesis of Parkinson disease--the gut-brain axis and environmental factors.

https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2015.197


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙