Effects of Korean red ginseng extract on cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting.
Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, is well known as a tonic medicine for restoring and enhancing human health. In traditional medicine, ginseng is utilized for the alleviation of emesis, which includes nausea and vomiting. However, it has not yet been demonstrated whether ginseng exhibits in vivo anti-nausea and anti-vomiting properties. In this study, we examined the anti-emetic effect of Korean red ginseng total extract (KRGE) on cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting using ferrets. Intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg) induced both nausea and vomiting with one-hour latency. The episodes of nausea and vomiting reached a peak after 1.5 h and persisted for 3 h. Treatment with KRGE via oral route significantly reduced the cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-emetic effect was 12.7 +/- 8.6, 31.8 +/- 6.9, and 67.6 +/- 4.0% with doses of 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 g/kg of KRGE, respectively. Pretreatment with KRGE via oral route 1 and 2 h before cisplatin administration also significantly attenuated the cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting. However this did not occur with a pretreatment 4 h before cisplatin administration. These results are supportive of KRGE being utilized as an anti-emetic agent against nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (i.e. cisplatin).
Kim
Jong-Hoon
JH
Research Laboratory for the Study of Ginseng Signal Transduction and Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
Yoon
In-Soo
IS
Lee
Byung-Hwan
BH
Choi
Sun-Hye
SH
Lee
Jun-Ho
JH
Lee
Joon-Hee
JH
Jeong
Sang Min
SM
Kim
Seok-Chang
SC
Park
Chae-Kyu
CK
Lee
Sang-Mok
SM
Nah
Seung-Yeol
SY
D000818:Animals; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005289:Ferrets; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009919:Orchiectomy; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D011292:Premedication; D013997:Time Factors; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002945:Cisplatin