Proliferative effect of ginseng saponin on neurite extension of primary cultured neurons of the rat cerebral cortex.

The effect of the crude saponins of Panax ginseng root on neurite extension of primary cultured neurons of the rat cerebral cortex was examined. Addition of the crude saponin extract to the culture medium showed a proliferative effect of neurite extension in 24-h and 48-h cultures. The looping phenomenon and disappearance of the growth cone due to the addition of cytochalasin-B to the culture medium were protected by the addition of the crude saponin. Addition of the crude saponin extract showed increases of about 1.5-fold in ganglioside content of cultured neurons. These results suggest that the crude saponin extract of the ginseng root has a promoting effect on neurite extension and also a protecting effect on distortion of neurites due to cytochalasin-B.