GINSENOSIDE RG(1) MODULATES INGESTIVE BEHAVIOR AND THERMAL RESPONSE INDUCED BY INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA IN RATS

Effects of ginsenoside Rg(1) (Rg(1)), a major component of panax ginse ng, on changes in ingestive behavior and rectal temperature induced by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) were investigated in rats. Intraperito neal (ip) injection of IL-1 beta suppressed food and water intake and elevated rectal temperature. The suppressive effect of IL-1 beta on wa ter intake was converted to an increase when 4.0 mM Rg(1) was continuo usly infused into the third cerebroventricle (ICV) at a rate of 0.966 mu l/h. The elevation of rectal temperature induced by IL-1 beta was a ttenuated by ICV infusion of Rg(1). The feeding suppression caused by IL-1 beta was unaffected by ICV infusion of Rg(1). These results sugge st that sustained ICV infusion of Rg(1) may modulate the effects of IL -1 beta on ingestive behaviors, i.e., increase in water intake and sus tained decrease in food intake, resulting in a lowering of body temper ature.