In vivo radioprotective activity of Panax ginseng and diethyldithiocarbamate.
Studies were performed to determine whether the water fraction and the alkaloid fraction of Panax ginseng protect against radiation damage to jejunal crypts of N:GP(s) mice and induction of micronuclei (MN) in cytokinesis-blocked (CB) lymphocytes of C57BL/6 mice after in vivo irradiation with 60Co gamma-rays. The radioprotective effect of ginseng was compared with the effect of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC). Jejunum was protected by the water fraction (2 mg/ml of drinking water) (P < 0.001) and the alkaloid fraction (5.4 mg/day, P.O.) (P < 0.005), both pre-and post-treatment, and by DDC (1000 mg/kg B.W., single I.P., 30 minutes before 15 Gy irradiation) (P < 0.001). The frequency of radiation (3 Gy)-induced micronuclei in spleen lymphocytes was also reduced by pretreatment of water fraction, alkaloid fraction of ginseng (P < 0.025) and DDC (P < 0.001). The data suggested that the water fraction and alkaloid fraction of Panax ginseng may reduce cell damage caused by gamma-rays, especially damage to DNA molecules, and play a role in the repair or regeneration process of damaged cells.
Kim
S H
SH
Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul.
Cho
C K
CK
Yoo
S Y
SY
Koh
K H
KH
Yun
H G
HG
Kim
T H
TH
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D005894:Panax; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D014867:Water
D000470:Alkaloids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D014867:Water; D004050:Ditiocarb