홍삼 사포닌이 estradiol valerate로 유발된 랫드의 다낭성난소에 미치는 영향을 관찰한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 홍삼 사포닌을 투여한 실험군의 난소형태는 퇴축난포, 정상발달을 보이는 이차난포 및 황체형성 등 비교적 정상화된 난소의 소견이 관찰되어 다낭성난소의 현저한 치료 효과를 보였다. 2. 홍삼 사포닌을 투여한 실험군의 신경성장인자 염색은 대조군에 비해 난소조직에서 내협막 세포들과 간질세포들이 현저하게 감소된 현상을 보였으나, 뇌하수체 및 해마체에서는 뚜렷한 차이가 없는 것으로 관찰되었다. 이상의 결과를 종합해보면 홍삼 사포닌은 다낭성난소 증후군의 예방 및 치료에 효과가 있을 것으로 사료된다.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a very common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. There are some evidences that nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. In this study, we investigated the effect of Korean red ginseng total saponin (GTS) on the ovarian morphology and NGF expressions in the ovaries, pituitary and hippocampus. The oil control animals were injected with 0.2 ml oil/rat. Animals in estradiol valerate (EV) control group were injected i.m. with 4 mg EV in 0.2 ml oil/rat. The GTS was administered (100 mg/kg) i.p. every other day for 60 days, beginning 1 day after the EV injection. PCO was induced by a single injection of EV (4 mg, i.m.). At day 60, the expressions of NGF were examined by immunohistochemistry. The main findings were as follows; PCO was fully developed with a single i.m. injection of EV, and PCO showed the increased expression of NGF, and GTS administration decreased NGF expressions in the ovaries without affecting pituitary and hippocampus significantly. The present results demonstrate that GTS attenuates PCOS by the stimulation of NGF expression.
