Supplementation of Korean Red Ginseng improves behavior deviations in animal models of autism

  • Edson Luck T. Gonzales Konkuk University
  • Jong-Hwa Jang Hanseo University
  • Darine Froy N. Mabunga Konkuk University
  • Ji-Woon Kim Konkuk University
  • Mee Jung Ko Konkuk Universtity
  • Kyu Suk Cho Konkuk University
  • Geon Ho Bahn Kyung Hee University
  • Minha Hong Dankook University Hospital
  • Jong Hoon Ryu Kyung Hee University
  • Hee Jin Kim Sahmyook University
  • Jae Hoon Cheong Sahmyook University
  • Chan Young Shin Konkuk University
Keywords: neurobehavioral and cognitive function

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders that primarily display social and communication impairments and restricted/repetitive behaviors. ASD prevalence has increased in recent years, yet very limited therapeutic targets and treatments are available to counteract the incapacitating disorder. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a popular herbal plant in South Korea known for its wide range of therapeutic effects and nutritional benefits and has recently been gaining great scientific attention, particularly for its positive effects in the central nervous system.

Objectives: Thus, in this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of KRG in alleviating the neurobehavioral deficits found in the valproic acid (VPA)-exposed mice models of ASD.

Design: Starting at 21 days old (P21), VPA-exposed mice were given daily oral administrations of KRG solution (100 or 200 mg/kg) until the termination of all experiments. From P28, mice behaviors were assessed in terms of social interaction capacity (P28–29), locomotor activity (P30), repetitive behaviors (P32), short-term spatial working memory (P34), motor coordination (P36), and seizure susceptibility (P38).

Results: VPA-exposed mice showed sociability and social novelty preference deficits, hyperactivity, increased repetitive behavior, impaired spatial working memory, slightly affected motor coordination, and high seizure susceptibility. Remarkably, long-term KRG treatment in both dosages normalized all the ASD-related behaviors in VPA-exposed mice, except motor coordination ability.

Conclusion: As a food and herbal supplement with various known benefits, KRG demonstrated its therapeutic potential in rescuing abnormal behaviors related to autism caused by prenatal environmental exposure to VPA.

Keywords: Panax ginseng; nutraceutical; autistic behaviors; Korean Red Ginseng; prenatal VPA exposure

(Published: 1 February 2016)

Citation: Food & Nutrition Research 2016, 60: 29245 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v60.29245

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Author Biographies

Edson Luck T. Gonzales, Konkuk University
Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center
Jong-Hwa Jang, Hanseo University
Department of Dental Hygiene
Darine Froy N. Mabunga, Konkuk University
Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center
Ji-Woon Kim, Konkuk University
Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center
Mee Jung Ko, Konkuk Universtity
Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation CenterDepartment of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center
Kyu Suk Cho, Konkuk University
Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center
Geon Ho Bahn, Kyung Hee University
Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine
Minha Hong, Dankook University Hospital
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine
Jong Hoon Ryu, Kyung Hee University
Department of Oriental Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy
Hee Jin Kim, Sahmyook University
Department of Pharmacy
Jae Hoon Cheong, Sahmyook University
Department of Pharmacy
Chan Young Shin, Konkuk University

Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine;

Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center

Published
2016-02-01
How to Cite
Gonzales E. L. T., Jang J.-H., Mabunga D. F. N., Kim J.-W., Ko M. J., Cho K. S., Bahn G. H., Hong M., Ryu J. H., Kim H. J., Cheong J. H., & Shin C. Y. (2016). Supplementation of Korean Red Ginseng improves behavior deviations in animal models of autism. Food & Nutrition Research, 60. https://doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v60.29245
Section
Original Articles

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