title: Ginsenoside rich fraction of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer improve feeding behavior following radiation-induced pica in rats.
abstract: Panax ginseng is an indigenous medicinal herb and has traditionally been used among Asian population for relief of many human ailments. We investigated the prophylactic role of Korean P. ginseng extract (KG) against X-ray irradiation-induced emesis in an acute rat pica model. Rats were treated with KG (12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg orally at -48, -24 and 0 h) prior to X-ray irradiation (6 Gy), and intake of kaolin and normal food and body weight changes examined as an index of the acute emetic stimulus. Levels of serotonin in small intestine tissue were assessed and histopathology of gastric tissue, small intestine and colon examined specific staining. Pre-treatment with KG (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) reduced X-ray irradiation-induced kaolin intake at 24h. Normal food intake was improved in rats treated with 25 mg/kg KG. The anti-emetic effect of KG was further confirmed on the basis of serotonin release, histopathological findings. Our findings collectively indicate that KG protects against X-ray irradiation-induced acute pica to a moderate extent, leading to improved feeding behavior in rats.
authors.affiliation: Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. hbr_bala@yahoomail.com
authors.forename: Hanumantha Rao
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Balaji Raghavendran
authors.forename: Sathyanath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rekha
authors.forename: Hyeong-Keug Kim Jung-Hyo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Seong-Soon
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Chang-Gue
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Son
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007616:Kaolin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010842:Pica / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007616:Kaolin; D012701:Serotonin