Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of Ginsenoside Rgl on glutathion (GSH) level and glutathion peroxidase (GPx) activity after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion in cultured hippocampal cells. Methods The model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion were established with the hippocampal neurons of rats. They were randomly divided into control group, model group and Ginsenoside Rgl treatment groups (5 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, 60 μmol/L). The GSH level and GPx activity were measured 6 h after reperfusion. The apoptosis and the metabolic rate of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) were detected 24 h after reperfusion. Results Compared with model group, the GSH level, GPx activity, and metabolic rate of MTT improved (P<0.001), and the apoptosis decreased in the Ginsenoside Rgl groups (P<0.001) except with the dosage of 5 μmol/L (P>0.05). Conclusion Ginsenoside Rgl can protect the brain from ischemia by increasing the GSH level and GPx activity.

Key words: cerebral ischemia, Ginsenoside Rg1, glutathion, apoptosis, hippocampus