Background: Learning and memory impairment are common consequences of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM). Panax ginseng is one of the most famous natural herbs used in controlling metabolic disorders as DM.
Aim of the work: To study the histological changes of streptozotocin (STZ) induced DM on rat's hippocampus and the possible neuroprotective effect of panax ginseng.
Material and methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats weighing 200-250 gm, were used. Animals were divided into four groups. Group I: control group and was further subdivided into three subgroups 6 rats each. Group II: included 6 rats which received panax ginseng by gastric gavage daily. Group III: included 6 rats which received single intraperitoneal injection of STZ to induce DM. Group IV: included 6 rats in which DM was induced then rats were given panax ginseng daily. After 2 weeks, animals were sacrificed, and brains were dissected out. Paraffin blocks of hippocampus were prepared, and some sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and cresyl violet while others were immunohistochemically treated to detect GFAP and synaptophysin. Statistical analysis was done for some measured parameters.
Results: The present study revealed that STZ induced DM led to marked structural alteration of the rat's hippocampus. Diabetic rats treated with panax ginseng revealed evident improvement of these changes both histologically and immunohistochemically and confirmed by morphometric studies.
Conclusion: Panax ginseng exerted protective role against histoarchitectural and immunoreactivity changes in the hippocampus of diabetic rats. Thus, it could be a promising neuroprotective agent against DM induced memory impairment.