Effect of 17-beta-estradiol and ginsenoside Rg1 on reactive microglia induced by beta-amyloid peptides

The reactive microglias induced by 25 μmol of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ25-35) and/or IFN-γ can initiate the microglial respiratory burst and release NO, respectively. Oxidative stress and inflammatory function have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We showed that 10 μmol 17-β-estradiol (E₂) and 1-10 μmol ginsenoside Rg₁ (Rg₁) could prevent the toxicity of Aβ25-35 and/or IFN-γ to microglias, inhibit the microglial respiratory burst activity and decrease the accumulation of NO. These results demonstrated the protectional effect of E₂ or Rg₁ on neuron from damaging by reactive microglias in AD.