title: Protective effect of Panax ginseng in cisplatin-induced cachexia in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the protective effect of a standardized extract of Panax ginseng on multiple cisplatin-induced 'sickness behaviors' (model of cancer-induced cachexia) in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cisplatin was administered twice weekly (1-2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 5 consecutive weeks. Panax ginseng extract (0, 25 and 50 mg/kg, intragastric) was administered daily over the 5-week period of cisplatin exposure. Malaise, bodyweight and temperature, pain sensitivity, and endurance running were recorded at baseline and at 5 weekly intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with cisplatin produced severe signs of malaise, marked loss of bodyweight, hypothermia, hyperalgesia and reduction in running time. Treatment with Panax ginseng extract completely prevented all cisplatin-induced alterations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that treatment with Panax ginseng extract exerted a protective effect in a rat model of cachexia and suggest that Panax ginseng extract may be a therapeutic promising tool for supportive care in oncology.
authors.affiliation: Giancarlo Colombo Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, S.S. 554, km. 4,500 I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lobina
authors.forename: Mauro A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carai
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Loi
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gessa
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cabri
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrangolini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morazzoni
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colombo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002100:Cachexia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D002945:Cisplatin
keywords: Panax ginseng; cachexia; cisplatin; rat; sickness behaviors