Abstract□We have examined the functional role of central dopaminergic processes on the behavioral pharmacological effects induced by psychotropics and red ginseng saponins of normal rats and compared with that of brain damaged rats. Desipramine
and
clomipramine produced, a significant depression of the locomotor activity in normal rats, but in brain damaged rats, they did not have any effect throughout the experimental period of 4 hours. Total saponin (50~200mg/kg), PT (25~50mg/kg), PD
(25~50mg/kg), Rg1 (12.5~25mg/kg), Rb1 (12.5~50mg/kg) did not change, and high concentrations of PT (100mg/kg), PD (100mg/kg) and Rg1 (50mg/kg) showed a significant decrease in the locomotor activity of one hour after administration but total
saponin
(100mg/kg), PD (25~50mg/kg), Rg1 (12.5mg/kg), Rb1 (12.5mg/kg) markedly increased the locomotor activity of four hour after administration in normal rats. On the other hand, total saponin 50mg/kg), PT (100mg/kg) and PD (100mg/kg) produced a
prominent
stimulation of the locomotor activity in brain damaged rats. These results suggest that the inhibition of the locomotor activity induced by antidepressants was not affected by the sensitivity of cerebral DA system, wnereas red ginseng saponin
showed
antifatigue effect and also the stimulation of the locomotor activity induced by red ginseng saponin was mediated by the inhibition of cerebral DA system. These psychotropic action of red ginseng saponins could be responsible for the beneficial
effects
on conditions of fatigue and decreased alertness.
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