Panax ginseng blocks morphine-induced thymic apoptosis by lowering plasma corticosterone level.
The effects of Panax ginseng on morphine-induced immune suppression were studied. Morphine (20 mg/kg, SC, 4 days) decreased body weight increment rate and caused atrophy of thymus and spleen. These changes were partly reversed by concomitant administration of ginseng total saponin (GTS, 100 mg/kg, oral, 9 days). Morphine elevated the serum corticosterone level and caused the DNA fragmentation of thymocytes. These sequential events were completely blocked by a concomitant administration of GTS. Flow cytometry analysis showed that GTS specifically blocked morphine-induced apoptosis of thymocytes.
Kim
Y R
YR
Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Kwang-Ju, Korea.
Lee
S Y
SY
Shin
B A
BA
Kim
K M
KM
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001284:Atrophy; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005894:Panax; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D012503:Saponins; D009020:Morphine; D003345:Corticosterone