title: Effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract on busulfan-induced dysfunction of the male reproductive system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anticancer agents induce a variety of adverse effects when administered to cancer patients. Busulfan is a known antileukemia agent. When administered for treatment of leukemia in young patients, busulfan could cause damage to the male reproductive system as one of its adverse effects, resulting in sterility.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) on busulfan-induced damage and/or dysfunction of the male reproductive system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that administration of busulfan to mice: decreased testis weight; caused testicular histological damage; reduced the total number of sperm, sperm motility, serum testosterone concentration; and eventually, litter size. Preadministration of KRGE partially attenuated various busulfan-induced damages to the male reproductive system. These results indicate that KRGE has a protective effect against busulfan-induced damage to the male reproduction system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows a possibility that KRGE could be applied as a useful agent to prevent or protect the male reproductive system from the adverse side effects induced by administration of anticancer agents such as busulfan.
authors.affiliation: Ginsentology Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Ginsentology Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeon-Joong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Ginsentology Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung-Hwan
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Ginsentology Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Hye
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Ginsentology Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yang-Kyu
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Joon Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Soo
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Sangji University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung-Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Minhee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ik-Hyun
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Ginsentology Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Yeol
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Nah
keywords: Panax ginseng; adverse effects; anticancer; busulfan; reproductive systems