title: Investigating the Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on the Viability of Random-Pattern Skin Flaps in Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This experimental study investigated the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract in reducing the partial losses of random flaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty Wistar Albino rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups as (A) control group, (B) stress group, (C) oral KRG group, and (D) intraperitoneal KRG group. The modified McFarlane flap of 9 × 3 cm with a caudal pedicle was harvested from the back of the rats in all the groups. Korean Red Ginseng was administered to groups C and D at standard doses for 10 days. After 10 days, the flaps were removed in all groups and were examined macroscopically, histopathologically, histochemically, and biochemically. The results were statistically analyzed and compared among the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The flap necrosis rates were significantly lower in groups C and D compared with groups A and B (P < 0.05). The vascular density, antioxidant activity, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α levels were significantly higher in the groups C and D compared with the groups A and B (P < 0.05). Although vascular density, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and catalase levels were negatively correlated with the flap necrosis rates, there was a significantly positive correlation between malondialdehyde and necrosis rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Korean Red Ginseng increases the viability of random pattern skin flaps, resulting in reduced rates of distal necrosis. Korean Red Ginseng has antioxidant activity and increases neovascularization.
authors.affiliation: From the * Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Van Training and Research Hospital; † Department of Clinical Biochemistry, ‡ Department of Pathology, Yüzüncü Yil University, Van; §Department of Anatomy, Hacettepe University, Ankara; and ∥Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.forename: Gönül
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.forename: Gülay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.forename: Mustafa Fevzi
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Sargon
authors.forename: Dağhan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Işik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional / Q000379:methods; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts