Korean red ginseng prevents ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in isolated perfused rat liver.
- Author:
Hye Min PARK
1
;
Shang Jin KIM
;
Hyeon Kyu GO
;
Gi Beum KIM
;
Sung Zoo KIM
;
Jin Shang KIM
;
Hyung Sub KANG
Author Information
1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea. kang-hs@jbnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
ethanol;
ginseng;
liver;
liver perfusion;
rat
- MeSH:
Alanine Transaminase;
Alcoholism;
Animals;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein;
Ethanol;
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase;
Liver;
Liver Diseases;
Panax;
Rats;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- From:Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
2011;51(2):159-164
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Alcohol abuse and its medical and social consequences are a major health problem in many areas of the world. Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been traditionally used for the treatment of liver disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of KRG against hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with ethanol (EtOH). Administration of EtOH for 20 days induced significant changes in serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and glucose) accompanied by histological changes in the liver tissue. Treatment with KRG prior to administration of EtOH inhibited the EtOH-induced biochemical and histological changes of the liver. In perfused rat livers, administration of EtOH caused an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into the perfusate and activated the pro-apoptotic Bax protein but inhibited the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Pretreatment with KRG prior to administration of EtOH decreased the EtOH-induced LDH release and inhibition of Bcl-2 protein. These results suggest that KRG exerts anti-apoptotic effects and alleviated EtOH-induced liver injury in rats.
