INVESTIGATING THE NEUROGENESIS POTENTIAL OF PANAX GINSENG IN THE NEURAL STEM CELLS

Panax ginseng, a traditional herbal medicine, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Neuronal cells are the fundamental building blocks of the CNS, playing crucial roles in receiving, integrating, and responding to various stimuli. However, culturing these cells poses challenges due to the inability of mature neurons to undergo cell division. To address this limitation, researchers often use secondary cell lines derived from neuronal tumors, which offer the advantage of easy proliferation and consistent results in culture. Ginseng and its active compounds, particularly ginsenosides, have shown promise in mitigating CNS injuries. In the early phases of CNS injury, ginseng exhibits neuroprotective effects primarily through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Additionally, it aids in the recovery of neural circuits by promoting processes such as neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Notably, oral administration of Panax ginseng at 100 mg/kg in mice has been shown to enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis, improving learning and memory abilities. This suggests that ginseng could be beneficial in enhancing neurogenesis following neuroinflammatory conditions, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, we explored the effects of Panax ginseng on neurogenesis in NSCs derived from the hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice, with a particular focus on neurosphere formation, neurite outgrowth, and the expression of key neuronal markers and signaling molecules.