The effect of ethanolic extract Panax ginseng roots on hypothyroidism-induced memory impairment, inflammation, and hippocampal tissue oxidative damage in rats.

OBJECTIVES

Panax ginseng is rich in ginsenosides, which possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extract P. ginseng roots (GSNG) on memory deficits, inflammation, and oxidative damage in the hippocampal tissue of male rats subjected to hypothyroidism.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, PTU, PTU-GSNG 50 (50 mg/kg), and GSNG100 (100 mg/kg). Over 42 days, PTU was provided in drinking water at a concentration of 0.05 %. GSNG was administered via gavage during the PTU treatment and throughout the behavioral testing phase. In fifth week the behavioral tests including water maze and shuttle box were conducted. After 42 days, hippocampal tissues were harvested post-euthanasia for analysis of oxidative stress markers and interleukin-6.

RESULTS

Administration of GSNG significantly ameliorated memory impairment and reduced oxidative damage and inflammation in the hippocampus of hypothyroid rats. Behavioral assessments using the water maze and shuttle box indicated marked improvements in memory impairment induced by hypothyroidism (p<0.01 and p<0.001). Biochemical analyses revealed significant modulation of oxidative stress markers, including MDA, total thiol groups, SOD activity, catalase levels, and interleukin-6, with both doses of Ginseng demonstrating beneficial effects. Notably, the higher dose (100 mg/kg) exhibited superior efficacy compared to the lower dose (50 mg/kg) across all measured parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that P. ginseng effectively mitigates hypothyroidism-induced memory impairment by attenuating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for cognitive deficits associated with thyroid dysfunction.