Panax ginseng extract improves scopolamine‐induced deficits in working memory performance in the T‐maze delayed alternation task in rats

The effects of Panax ginseng water extract on spatial working memory disruption induced by scopolamine were examined using a T‐maze delayed alternation task in rats. Scopolamine (0.025–0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) dose‐dependently impaired the maze performance, and physostigmine (0.4 mg/kg) significantly reversed the scopolamine (0.1 mg/kg)‐induced performance deficits. Ginseng extract (0.5–4.0 g dried root/kg) orally administered 60 min before testing dose‐dependently improved the maze performance disrupted by scopolamine (0.1 mg/kg). Ginseng extract given for 7 days in drinking water (2.0 and 4.0 g/kg/day) also exhibited dose‐dependent reversal of the scopolamine‐induced performance deficits. These data indicate the beneficial effects of ginseng extract on spatial working memory in rats.