Anxiolytic-like effects of ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2 from red ginseng in the elevated plus-maze model.

The anxiolytic-like effects of red ginseng (RG, the steamed root of Panax ginseng, family Araliaceae), its saponin fraction, and its representative constituents, ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2, were investigated in mice using the elevated plus-maze test. These agents significantly increased the time spent on the open arms and the number of open-arm entries. The anxiolytic-like activities of Rg3 and Rh2 were antagonized by flumazenil but not by WAY-100635. RG and its constituents, Rg3 and Rh2, may exert anxiolytic effects by antagonizing GABA/benzodiazepines.