人参皂甙的神经保护作用和机制及其在神经变性疾病中的应用

Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of ginsenosides and its application in neurodegenerative disorders

关键词:  人参皂甙  神经保护作用  离子通道  神经变性疾病

Key words:  ginsenosides  neuroprotective effect  ion channels  neurodegenerative disorders

摘要:

人参具有多种药理活性，人参皂甙是人参的主要药理活性成分，它对中枢神经系统和外周神经系统都有作用。新近的研究表明人参皂甙在神经元可调节各种类型的离子通道，如抑制电压依赖性Ca²⁺ 通道和Na⁺ 通道的活性；还能抑制配体门控性离子通道，如NMDA，阻断Ca²⁺ 内流，清除自由基，抑制氧化应激的过程，从而发挥神经保护作用。新近的研究表明人参中的一些有效成分还能在中枢神经系统疾病特别是神经变性疾病中发挥作用。本文主要介绍人参皂甙对中枢神经系统离子通道的调节作用，并探讨人参皂甙在中枢神经系统疾病尤其是神经变性疾病（如帕金森病、癫痫、脑缺血）中的作用。

Abstract:

Ginseng exhibits multiple pharmacological actions. Ginsenosides, which are pharmacological active ingredients in ginseng, are responsible for their effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems. Recent studies have shown that the ginsenosides regulate various types of ion channels in neurons. For example, ginsenosides inhibit not only voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ and Na+ channel activities, but also ligand-gated ion channels such as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. GS can attenuate Ca²⁺ influx, clear free radicals, suppress the oxidative stress, and then exert neuroprotective effect. Recent research has suggested that ginsenosides, as the active ingredients of ginseng, also exert beneficial effects on central nervous diseases, especially in neurodegenerative disorders. This review will focus on the ginsenoside-induced regulation of ion channel activities in the central nervous system, and will further expand the effects of ginsenosides on central nervous diseases especially on neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, epileptic seizures and ischemia.