Publications of Faculty of Medicine:EFFECT OF KOREAN GINSENG EXTRACT ON SOME BEHAVIOURAL ASPECTS IN STREPTOZOON INDUCED DIABETIC RATS AND ITS INTERACTION WITH AN ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC AGENT( GLICLAZIDE): Abstract

In this work, induction of diabetes in rats by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (35 mg/kg b.w.) resulted in deterioration of motor coordination evidenced by shortening of time of keeping posture on rolling drum and learning behaviour evidenced by significant increase in latency period requied for development of a conditioned reflex with no affection of extension time. Gliclazide alone significantly improved motor coordination with no effect on learning behaviour. This was associated with partial improvement of carbohydrate metabolism in the form of disappearance of ketonuria. Coadministration of ginseng either in low (25 mg/kg b.w.) or high (100 mg/kg b .w.) doses normalized both motor and learning behaviour jn diabetic rats. The latter effect was not related to any change in the studied neurotrasmitters ( norepinephrine or acetyl choline) concentrations. Glucose level was not significantly affected by gliclaiide and ginseng combination in spite of the significant potentiation of glucose stimulated insulin release. This may imply that the beneficial effect on motor behaviour may be related to insulin induced improvement in intraceullar utilization of glucose _but its magnitude was not sufficient to normalize blood glucose level.