POTENTIATION OF THE NGF-MEDIATED NERVE FIBER OUTGROWTH BY GINSENOSIDE Rb1 IN ORGAN CULTURES OF CHICKEN DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA

Abstract

The fiber outgrowth induced by ACh [acetylcholine], dibutyryl cyclic [c]AMP and dibutyryl cGMP in explanted chick embryonic dorsal root ganglia differed distinctly from that by nerve growth factor (NGF) and submandibular gland extract of adult male mice. Ginsenoside Rb1 potentiated the effects of NGF and submandibular extract at concentrations of 3 and 30 .mu.M, but did not potentiate the effects of ACh, dibutyryl cAMP and dibutyryl cGMP. NGF-antibody inhibited the effects of NGF, but not the effects of ACh, dibutyryl cAMP and dibutyryl cGMP. Concanavalin A and KCl did not promote fiber outgrowth.