title: Panax ginseng effects on DNA damage, CYP1A1 expression and histopathological changes in testes of rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.
abstract: The effects of Panax ginseng extracts on DNA damage, expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and reproductive toxicity were evaluated in the testis of rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxinthe (TCDD). Fifty rats were divided into five groups according to treatment with 2,3,7,8-TCDD and P. ginseng extracts. Single cell gel electrophoresis assays were performed to evaluate DNA damage that occurred in the lymphocytes of rats. Histological changes in the seminiferous tubules of the testis were determined using Johnsen's scoring system and Real Time-PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of CYP1A1. Significant pathological effects were observed in the 2,3,7,8-TCDD treated rats including a reduced seminiferous tubular diameter, an increased number of damaged tubules (maturation arrest, eosinophilic degeneration and spermatid giant cells) and increased Johnsen's score. DNA damage and the expression of CYP1A1 mRNA were significantly increased in rat testes. There were no significant differences between the control and animals treated with P. ginseng extracts. However, a significantly decreased level of DNA damage, decreased CYP1A1 expression and reduced pathological effects were observed in the 2,3,7,8-TCDD with P. ginseng extracts treated groups when compared with the TCDD treated group. In summary, our study demonstrates that 2,3,7,8-TCDD induces the pathological and genotoxical damage in rat testes, while P. ginseng extract treatment exhibits a therapeutic capacity to reduce these effects via reduction of CYP1A1 mRNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Anamdong 5 Ka, Sungbuk Ku, Seoul 136-705, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Donggeun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sul
authors.forename: Eunha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Woon-Won
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Kwang-Woo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Tae Sung
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Keon Cheol
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nam Hee
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Won
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020552:Comet Assay; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1