Summary

Majonoside R2 Modulates Anxiety- and Depression-Like Behaviours in Mice

Preliminary evidence suggests that majonoside-R2, a major saponin of Vietnamese ginseng Panax vietnamensis, modulates anxiety and depression-like behaviour. We therefore explored the role of total saponins and majonoside-R2 in anxiety and depression-like behaviours using a set of well-established experiments. Male Swiss albino mice were given total saponins (25 or 50 mg/kg, p.o.) or majonoside-R2 (6.2 or 12.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice administered majonoside-R2 displayed less immobility in the forced swim test and tail suspension test, indicating a modulatory effect on depressiond-like behaviour. In the elevated plus maze, mice administered majonoside-R2 entered the open arms more frequently and spent more time there, while the number of total entries or closed arm entries did not differ. Similarly, this group entered the centre area of the open field more frequently and spent more time there, while the overall distance travelled was not different. However, the groups receiving total saponins did not reveal any changes in anxiety and depression-like behaviours. We therefore supposed an influence of other saponins or gastrointestinal route on the effect of majonoside R2. Taken together, our findings indicated that majonoside R2 controls anxiety- and depression-related behaviour in mice. These findings rise the possibility that majonoside-R2 could be a promising candidate for the treatment of anxiety- and mood disorders.

Key words: Panax vietnamensis; majonoside-R2; anxiety; depression

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