Inhibition of mutagenesis and transformation by root extracts of panax ginseng in vitro
Planta Med; 57(2):125-8 1991
The root extract of Panax ginseng was investigated for its inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis, mutagenicity, and cellular transformation using V79 and NIH 3T3 cells. DNA synthesis measured by the [3H]thymidine incorporation into V79 Chinese hamster lung cells was significantly decreased by the addition of ginseng extract (0-1 microgram/ml) to the medium. However, ginseng extract was found to increase the rate of DNA excision repair synthesis in V79 cells in response to treatment with UV radiation or methyl methanesulfonate. The extract also showed decreased mutation frequency when mutagenicity was examined using V79 cells at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus as resistance to 6-thioguanine after exposure to methyl methanesulfonate. We also found that the components of ginseng extract continue to exert an inhibitory effect on the transformation of NIH 3T3 cells initiated by 3-methylchloanthrene, methyl methanesulfonate, and 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine.
Restoration of radiation injury by ginseng-some properties of the radioprotective substances
J Radiat Res (Tokyo); 22(3):336-343
Some properties of the radioprotective substance ginseng extract (GE) were studied in male 4-wk-old JCL-ICR mice. Prior to injection GE was dissolved in physiological saline and insolubles discarded after centrifugation. Mice injected with only physiological saline served as controls. The 30-day survival ratio was measured in both groups. Methanol-soluble GE did not protect the irradiated animals. Acid or alkali (0.12 N) inactivated GE at 60 C. GE radioprotective activity was stable after heating in physiological saline at pH 7 in a boiling-water bath for 15 min. GE was separated into two fractions by CM-cellulose column chromatography. Fraction CM-A was significantly efficacious at p less than 0.05, and CM-B was effective at p less than 0.001; doses were proportional to yield. UV spectrum and biuret tests suggested the presence of protein in the CM-B fraction. Supernatant obtained after heating the CM-B solution at pH 7 was separated into fractions G-I, G-II, and G-III by gel chromatography with a Sephadex G-75 column. G-I (0.44 mg/animal) and G-III (0.84 mg/animal) were significantly efficacious, but G-II (0.47 mg/animal) was not. The active component in ginseng had been thought to be ginseng saponin. Examination of the methanol-soluble fraction showed that the radioprotective component of GE is not saponin. Purification of the radioprotective substance is needed to clarify the chemical structure.
Restoration of radiation injury by ginseng- Responses of x-irradiated mice to ginseng extract
J Radiat Res (Tokyo); 22(3):323-335
The radioprotective effect of ginseng extract (GE) in JCL-ICR mice and hematological recovery of irradiated native and splenectomized mice were studied. Six-wk-old male mice were irradiated with 720 or 550 R. Within 3 min after irradiation, mice were injected ip with GE dissolved in 0.2 ml physiological saline. Control mice were injected only with saline after irradiation. Injection of 5.0 mg GE 2.5 hr before or after exposure to 720 R was significantly efficacious, but injection 1 day after treatment was not. Administration of 5.5 mg GE 2 or 1 day prior to irradiation was more efficacious than administration immediately after irradiation. The 30-day survival ratio of mice irradiated with 720 R was 5, 45, 75 and 82.5% for mice injected with 0, 1.8, 3.4, and 6.8 mg GE, respectively. The difference between control and GE groups was significant. Splenic wt of irradiated mice decreased to approx 1/3 normal on days 2-10 in the control group. The decrease was less in the GE group. Thymic wt decreased after irradiation by approx 30% from day 0 to day 30. Recovery of thymic wt was not stimulated by GE extract. GE-stimulated recovery of splenic DNA, and of thrombocyte and erythrocyte counts was observed; GE did not markedly affect leukocyte counts. GE increased the 30-day survival ratio of splenectomized mice. Only thrombocyte counts after exposure were stimulated by GE in splenectomized mice. Recovery of thrombocyte counts after exposure is assumed to be one of the most important factors in restoration after bone marrow death.
Substances stimulating recovery from radiation injury
Radioisotopes; 27(11):666-675 1978
Studies on radiation damage and recovery, and on substances that stimulate recovery are reviewed. Separation and testing of active extracts from the root of Panax ginseng, which stimulate recovery from radiation damage in mice are described. Various doses of ginseng extract (GEX) were given (mostly ip) to JCL-ICR mice (6 wk old; 40 mice per group), immediately after irradiation (IR) at various levels. The effects on the 30-day survival rates were studied. At a GEX dose of 6.8 mg and an IR dose of 720 R, the 30-day survival rate was 82.5%. At a GEX dose of 5.0 mg, no significant differences in the 30-day survival rate were found, whether GEX was injected ip or iv. At a GEX dose of 5.8 mg and an IR dose of 550 R, improvement began about the 10th day (WBC, RBC, platelet count). In non-irradiated mice, there was no particular effect of GEX on the blood. In mice splenectomized 1 wk before IR (770 R), 6.0 mg of GEX improved the 30-day survival rate compared with saline treated controls. The WBC and RBC did not recover in splenectomized mice that were irradiated, but the platelet count increased. A marked increase in the spleen wt of non-irradiated mice, associated with the administration of GEX, was eliminated by a final heat treatment of extract liquor and removal of the precipitant. Administration of 5.0 mg GEX was most effective in increasing the 30-day survival rate when given 1-2 days before irradiation. The administration of GEX 24 hr after irradiation resulted in a 30-day survival rate compared with that of controls.
In vitro effects of echinacea and ginseng on natural killer and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity in healthy subjects and chronic fatigue syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.
Immunopharmacology (NETHERLANDS) Jan 1997, 35 (3) p229-35
Extracts of Echinacea purpurea and Panax ginseng were evaluated for their capacity to stimulate cellular immune function by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal individuals and patients with either the chronic fatigue syndrome or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. PBMC isolated on a Ficoll-hypaque density gradient were tested in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of each extract for natural killer (NK) cell activity versus K562 cells and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against human herpesvirus 6 infected H9 cells. Both echinacea and ginseng, at concentrations > or = 0.1 or 10 micrograms/kg, respectively, significantly enhanced NK-function of all groups. Similarly, the addition of either herb significantly increased ADCC of PBMC from all subject groups. Thus, extracts of Echinacea purpurea and Panax ginseng enhance cellular immune function of PBMC both from normal individuals and patients with depressed cellular immunity.
Efficacy and safety of the standardized ginseng extract G 115 for potentiating vaccination against common cold and/or influenza syndrome
Drugs under Experimental and Clinical Research (Switzerland), 1996, 22/2 65-72)
The aim of the study was to determine the properties of a standardized extract of ginseng root in inducing a higher immune response in vaccination against influenza. Attention was also paid to the common cold in this multicentre, two-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind investigation. A total of 227 volunteers who visited 3 private practices in Milan received daily oral capsule doses of either placebo (113) or 100 mg of standardized ginseng extract Ginsana G115 (114) for a period of 12 weeks within which they received an anti-influenza polyvalent vaccination at week 4. As a result, while the frequency of influenza or common cold between weeks 4 and 12 was 42 cases in the placebo group, it was only 15 cases in the G115 group, the difference being statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). Whereas antibody titres by week 8 rose to an average of 171 units in the placebo group, they rose to an average of 272 units in the G115 group (p < 0.0001). Natural killer (NK) activity levels at weeks 8 and 12 were nearly twice as high in the G115 group as compared to the placebo group (p < 0.0001). In all the volunteers, laboratory values of 24 safety parameters showed no significant differences between the end and the beginning of the 12-week study in either of the groups. There were only 9 adverse events in the study, the principal one being insomnia.
Immunity in myocardiac hypertrophy rat and effect of total saponins of panax ginseng in vivo and in vitro
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin (China), 1996, 12/1 (84-86)
The model of rat myocardiac hypertrophy through stricture on abdominal aorta partly by operation showed that proliferation of T cell in thymus and spleen decreased and IL-2 secretion reduced markedly when rat blood pressure increased and the wall of left ventricular thickened. Total saponins of panax ginseng (TSPG 50 mg.kg-1.d-1, sc ) could harmonize the higher blood pressure and increase the level of immunity, suggesting TSPG may be used to strengthen the heart function as well as immunity.
Natural product formulations available in europe for psychotropic indications
Psychopharmacology Bulletin (USA), 1995, 31/4 (745-751)
Until the middle of this century, development of medical treatment for human disease was intimately connected with the plant kingdom. Despite advances of the last three decades in utilizing chemical synthetic approaches to drug design and sophisticated structure-activity studies, there is still a great need for novel compounds with unique mechanisms of action in the field of medicine. While many thousands of structural analogs have been synthesized and tested, numerous gaps remain in the therapeutic armamentarium for psychiatric illnesses. Most new drugs marketed for psychotherapeutic indications in recent years have been only incremental improvements on existing medications. Major breakthroughs have resulted primarily from the study of natural products. Some of our most valuable drugs have been isolated from plant and animal sources, including aspirin, morphine, reserpine (the first antipsychotic), almost all of our antibiotics, digitalis, and such anti-cancer agents as vincristine, vinblastine, and taxol. Recent political and social events suggest that new emphasis will be placed on natural products research in the years to come. This article highlights therapeutic applications of Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, Valerian officinalis, and Panex ginseng.
In vivo radioprotective activity of Panax ginseng and diethyldithiocarbamate.
In Vivo; 7(5):467-70 1993
Studies were performed to determine whether the water fraction and the alkaloid fraction of Panax ginseng protect against radiation damage to jejunal crypts of N:GP(s) mice and induction of micronuclei (MN) in cytokinesis-blocked (CB) lymphocytes of C57BL/6 mice after in vivo irradiation with 60Co gamma-rays. The radioprotective effect of ginseng was compared with the effect of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC). Jejunum was protected by the water fraction (2 mg/ml of drinking water) (P < 0.001) and the alkaloid fraction (5.4 mg/day, P.O.) (P < 0.005), both pre-and post-treatment, and by DDC (1000 mg/kg B.W., single I.P., 30 minutes before 15 Gy irradiation) (P < 0.001). The frequency of radiation (3 Gy)-induced micronuclei in spleen lymphocytes was also reduced by pretreatment of water fraction, alkaloid fraction of ginseng (P < 0.025) and DDC (P < 0.001). The data suggested that the water fraction and alkaloid fraction of Panax ginseng may reduce cell damage caused by gamma-rays, especially damage to DNA molecules, and play a role in the repair or regeneration process of damaged cells.
Inhibition of mutagenesis and transformation by root extracts of panax ginseng in vitro
Planta Med; 57(2):125-8 1991
The root extract of Panax ginseng was investigated for its inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis, mutagenicity, and cellular transformation using V79 and NIH 3T3 cells. DNA synthesis measured by the [3H]thymidine incorporation into V79 Chinese hamster lung cells was significantly decreased by the addition of ginseng extract (0-1 microgram/ml) to the medium. However, ginseng extract was found to increase the rate of DNA excision repair synthesis in V79 cells in response to treatment with UV radiation or methyl methanesulfonate. The extract also showed decreased mutation frequency when mutagenicity was examined using V79 cells at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus as resistance to 6-thioguanine after exposure to methyl methanesulfonate. We also found that the components of ginseng extract continue to exert an inhibitory effect on the transformation of NIH 3T3 cells initiated by 3-methylchloanthrene, methyl methanesulfonate, and 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine.
Restoration of radiation injury by ginseng. Ii. Some properties of the radioprotective substances
J Radiat Res (Tokyo); 22(3):336-343
Some properties of the radioprotective substance ginseng extract (GE) were studied in male 4-wk-old JCL-ICR mice. Prior to injection GE was dissolved in physiological saline and insolubles discarded after centrifugation. Mice injected with only physiological saline served as controls. The 30-day survival ratio was measured in both groups. Methanol-soluble GE did not protect the irradiated animals. Acid or alkali (0.12 N) inactivated GE at 60 C. GE radioprotective activity was stable after heating in physiological saline at pH 7 in a boiling-water bath for 15 min. GE was separated into two fractions by CM-cellulose column chromatography. Fraction CM-A was significantly efficacious at p less than 0.05, and CM-B was effective at p less than 0.001; doses were proportional to yield. UV spectrum and biuret tests suggested the presence of protein in the CM-B fraction. Supernatant obtained after heating the CM-B solution at pH 7 was separated into fractions G-I, G-II, and G-III by gel chromatography with a Sephadex G-75 column. G-I (0.44 mg/animal) and G-III (0.84 mg/animal) were significantly efficacious, but G-II (0.47 mg/animal) was not. The active component in ginseng had been thought to be ginseng saponin. Examination of the methanol-soluble fraction showed that the radioprotective component of GE is not saponin. Purification of the radioprotective substance is needed to clarify the chemical structure. (9 Refs)
Restoration of radiation injury by ginseng. I. Responses of x-irradiated mice to ginseng extract
J Radiat Res (Tokyo); 22(3):323-335
The radioprotective effect of ginseng extract (GE) in JCL-ICR mice and hematological recovery of irradiated native and splenectomized mice were studied. Six-wk-old male mice were irradiated with 720 or 550 R. Within 3 min after irradiation, mice were injected ip with GE dissolved in 0.2 ml physiological saline. Control mice were injected only with saline after irradiation. Injection of 5.0 mg GE 2.5 hr before or after exposure to 720 R was significantly efficacious, but injection 1 day after treatment was not. Administration of 5.5 mg GE 2 or 1 day prior to irradiation was more efficacious than administration immediately after irradiation. The 30-day survival ratio of mice irradiated with 720 R was 5, 45, 75 and 82.5% for mice injected with 0, 1.8, 3.4, and 6.8 mg GE, respectively. The difference between control and GE groups was significant. Splenic wt of irradiated mice decreased to approx 1/3 normal on days 2-10 in the control group. The decrease was less in the GE group. Thymic wt decreased after irradiation by approx 30% from day 0 to day 30. Recovery of thymic wt was not stimulated by GE extract. GE-stimulated recovery of splenic DNA, and of thrombocyte and erythrocyte counts was observed; GE did not markedly affect leukocyte counts. GE increased the 30-day survival ratio of splenectomized mice. Only thrombocyte counts after exposure were stimulated by GE in splenectomized mice. Recovery of thrombocyte counts after exposure is assumed to be one of the most important factors in restoration after bone marrow death. (10 Refs)
[Substances stimulating recovery from radiation injury]
Radioisotopes; 27(11):666-675 1978
Studies on radiation damage and recovery, and on substances that stimulate recovery are reviewed. Separation and testing of active extracts from the root of Panax ginseng, which stimulate recovery from radiation damage in mice are described. Various doses of ginseng extract (GEX) were given (mostly ip) to JCL-ICR mice (6 wk old; 40 mice per group), immediately after irradiation (IR) at various levels. The effects on the 30-day survival rates were studied. At a GEX dose of 6.8 mg and an IR dose of 720 R, the 30-day survival rate was 82.5%. At a GEX dose of 5.0 mg, no significant differences in the 30-day survival rate were found, whether GEX was injected ip or iv. At a GEX dose of 5.8 mg and an IR dose of 550 R, improvement began about the 10th day (WBC, RBC, platelet count). In non-irradiated mice, there was no particular effect of GEX on the blood. In mice splenectomized 1 wk before IR (770 R), 6.0 mg of GEX improved the 30-day survival rate compared with saline treated controls. The WBC and RBC did not recover in splenectomized mice that were irradiated, but the platelet count increased. A marked increase in the spleen wt of non-irradiated mice, associated with the administration of GEX, was eliminated by a final heat treatment of extract liquor and removal of the precipitant. Administration of 5.0 mg GEX was most effective in increasing the 30-day survival rate when given 1-2 days before irradiation. The administration of GEX 24 hr after irradiation resulted in a 30-day survival rate compared with that of controls. (34 Refs)
Memory effects of standardized extracts of Panax ginseng (G115), Ginkgo biloba (GK 501) and their combination Gincosan (PHL-00701).
Planta Med (GERMANY) Apr 1993, 59 (2) p106-14
In experiments on young (aged 3 months) and old (aged 26 months) rats, using some conditioned-reflex methods with punishment or positive reinforcement for active and passive avoidance (shuttle-box, step-down, step-through, and water maze), we studied the effects of the standardized extracts of Panax ginseng (G115), Ginkgo biloba (GK501) and their combination Gincosan (PHL-00701). The extracts were administered orally for 7 days before training at three increasing doses: 17, 50, and 150 mg/kg for G115; 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg for GK501; and 27, 80, and 240 mg/kg for PHL-00701. The two extracts and their combination improved the retention of learned behavior. This effect varied considerably with the extracts, with the dose and with the behavioral method used. The results suggest that the Panax ginseng G115 and the Ginkgo biloba GK501 extracts possess properties similar in every respect to those of nootropic drugs. The favorable effects on learning and memory of the combination of G115 plus GK501 and the other pharmacological activities inherent in the extracts characterize this combination, offered as Gincosan as a particularly promising drug in geriatric practice.
Usage and users of natural remedies in a middle-aged population: Demographic and psychosocial characteristics. Results from the Malmo Diet and Cancer Study
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety (United Kingdom), 1996, 5/5 (303-314)
Background - In Sweden, large amounts of money are spent annually on natural remedies (NRs), in spite of the fact that most products in this category lack scientific documentation of their efficacy and side-effects. The usage and users of natural remedies are not well defined. This paper describes NR use and NR users in a city in southern Sweden, and tests the hypothesis that the use of natural remedies is a strategy for coping with psychosocial stressors. Methods - The study cohort consisted of 6545 men and women, aged 45-65 years, who during 1991 and 1992 participated in the Malmo Diet and Cancer Study, a large-scale prospective cohort study. Data on consumption of natural remedies were recorded during seven consecutive days, as part of a dietary assessment. Each participant also completed a questionnaire, covering education, work history, alcohol and smoking habits, perceived health, and psychosocial factors such as social network, social support, job strain and global control. Body composition was also measured. Results - The prevalence of NR consumption was 26% among women and 17% among men. NR use was most common during winter and spring. The most popular products were ginseng, garlic, and various herb and plant extracts. Important determinants of NR usage were higher education, Swedish origin, and lifestyle factors like low body weight fat percentage and high alcohol consumption among women. Other determinants were higher age and non-smoking among men. None of the psychosocial factors appeared to influence the prevalence of NR consumption. Conclusions - The prevalence of NR consumption is influenced by sex, demographic factors, season of the year, and lifestyle. Use of NRs does not appear to be a common strategy for coping with psychosocial stress.