SURVEYS ON THE USAGE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, HERBAL PRODUCTS IN THE MARKET AND THE EFFECTS OF GINSENOSIDE RG1 ON MEDIAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX

MEHDY GHAEMINIA

Publication

SURVEYS ON THE USAGE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, HERBAL PRODUCTS IN THE MARKET AND THE EFFECTS OF GINSENOSIDE RG1 ON MEDIAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX

MEHDY GHAEMINIA

Abstract

Usage of CAM has prominent impact on users? health. Here, this fact was studied by getting the information from community and expanding the research to the laboratory. Analyzing the CAM usage among older adults revealed its prevalence as 54% (the commonest type was herbal medicine). Composite CAM and qigong usages showed protection against cognitive decline. By a telephone-based interview, we found three Panax species among the top six herbs used by older adults. Surveying the labels of products containing the words ?Panax? or ?ginseng?, we found Panax ginseng is the commonest ingredient of such products. Finally, the neuroinhibitory effects of a high abundant chemical component of Panax species, Rg1, on medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were observed using electrphysiological and histochemical methods. This first report of modulation of mPFC by Rg1 and first report of its possible neuroinhibitory effects may help to explain its anxiolytic and memory enhancing properties.