title: Antihyperalgesic effects of ginseng total saponins in a rat model of incisional pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess whether intraperitoneal administration of ginseng total saponins (GTS) has antihyperalgesic effects in a rat model of incisional pain. The proinflammatory responses and reversal of the antihyperalgesic effect of GTS by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or naloxone were also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.9% saline vehicle or various doses of GTS before or after a plantar incision. Paw withdrawal in response to application of the von Frey filament with the lowest bending force marked the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT). Blood samples were collected for the assessment of serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels. The IL levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with NMDA or naloxone before the GTS injection to assess the reversal of the antihyperalgesic effect of GTS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MWT measured 2 h after the plantar incision increased significantly after the postincision administration of 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg of GTS compared with the MWT at 2 h after plantar incision. The MWT also increased significantly after the preincision injection of 100 or 200 mg/kg of GTS compared with the MWT of the vehicle control. Administration of GTS suppressed the postincision rise in serum IL-1β levels and NMDA inhibited the increase in the MWT compared with GTS alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraperitoneal administration of GTS before or after surgery induces antihyperalgesic effects in a rat model of incisional pain. The effects on mechanical hyperalgesia may be associated with anti-inflammatory cytokines and NMDA signaling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Joong
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: roman00@cau.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Geun Joo
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hwa Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chong Wha
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Hun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Choel
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Heum
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yon
mesh_terms: D059787:Acute Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D012503:Saponins; D009270:Naloxone; D016202:N-Methylaspartate
keywords: Analgesia; Interleukins; N-methyl-D-aspartate; Panax ginseng; Postoperative; Rats