Open AccessOral supplementation with ginseng polysaccharide promotes food intake in mice
Author(s) -
Wang Jiawen,
Li Yongxiang,
Luo Pei,
Chen Yuhuang,
Xi Qianyun,
Wu Hanyu,
Zhao Weijie,
Shu Gang,
Wang Songbo,
Gao Ping,
Zhu Xiaotong,
Zhang Yongliang,
Jiang Qingyan,
Wang Lina
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.1340
Subject(s) - ginseng , endocrinology , medicine , polysaccharide , appetite , biology , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
Ginseng polysaccharide (GPS, same as Panax polysaccharide) is a kind of polysaccharide extracted from ginseng. It has been reported that GPS has the ability to activate innate immunity, regulates blood sugar balance, and improves antioxidant capacity, but the effect on feeding behavior and its mechanism remains unclear. Method To investigate the possible effect of GPS on feeding behavior of animals, mice were supplied with GPS in water, and food intake, hedonic feeding behavior, anxiety‐like behavior, expression of appetite‐regulation peptides in the central nervous system and glucose‐related hormone levels in the serum of mice were measured. Results Ginseng polysaccharide significantly increased the average daily food intake in mice and promoted hedonic eating behavior. Meanwhile, the levels of serum glucose and glucagon were significantly reduced by GPS, and GPS promoted hypothalamic neuropeptide Y expression, inhibited proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression, and reduced dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) levels in the midbrain. We also found that the anxiety level of mice was significantly lower after GPS intake. In conclusion, oral supplementation with GPS promoted food intake in mice, most likely through the regulation of circulating glucose levels.