[Effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on repeated stress-induced sexual deficiencies in male mice].

The effect of ginsenoside Rb1 has been studied on sexual deficiencies induced by repeated hanging stress. Male mice were stressed by hanging once daily(9:00 am-2:00 pm) for 10 days(1-3 day hung for 2 h, 4-6 day hung for 3 h, 7-9 day hung for 4 h, 10-11 day hung for 5 h). On day 10, they were exposed to female mice treated with estradiol and progesterone and their sexual behaviors (licking, mounting, mating) were assessed at 7:00-9:00 pm. The repeated hanging stress was found to reduce sexual behaviors and decrease plasma testosterone level in mice. Treatments with ginsenoside Rb1(2.5, 5, 10 mg.kg-1, i.p.) 30 min before each stress prevented the repeated stress-induced sexual deficiencies and raised plasma testosterone level. The mechanism of the protective action of ginsenoside Rb1 may be attributed to its action in maintaining normal plasma testosterone level.