Pathologic Comparative Studies on the Protective Effects by Panax Ginseng and Panax Quinquefolium for Treating 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced Toxicity in Male Rats.
- Author:
Dae Young KANG
1
;
Moon Il PARK
;
Sun Young NA
;
Jae Joon WEE
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. dykang@cnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Comparative Study ; Original Article
- Keywords:
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD);
Histopathology;
Panax ginseng;
Panax quinquefolium
- MeSH:
Animals;
Atrophy;
Body Weight;
Cholesterol;
Germ Cells;
Humans;
Liver;
Lymphocytes;
Male*;
Microscopy, Electron;
Necrosis;
Panax*;
Rats*;
Seminiferous Tubules;
Sertoli Cells;
Spermatogonia;
Testis;
Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin;
Thymus Gland
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2006;40(2):118-127
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Panax ginseng is known to decrease the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced testicular toxicity. Thus, we aimed to reveal the differences between Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolium extract for their effects on TCDD-induced toxicity. METHODS: Forty rats were divided into four groups; the control group, the TCDD only group, the TCDD plus Panax ginseng group, and the TCDD plus Panax quinquefolium-treated groups. Ginseng extract was given orally to rats from day one to twenty-one. TCDD was intraperitoneally administered to rats at a single dose of 50 microgram/kg on the seventh day. The pathologic changes were then examined. The changes of body weight, cholesterol and GOT in the serum were also examined. RESULTS: The TCDD toxicity was prominent in the thymus, liver and testis. The thymus showed atrophy and an inverse pattern of lymphocyte density in the cortex and medulla. The liver revealed central necrosis with fatty changes. On electron microscopy, the seminiferous tubules showed destruction of the spermatogonia, clear spaces or vacuolar changes and degeneration in the Sertoli cells or germ cells. The above mentioned TCDD-induced changes were reduced in the rats that were administered with Panax ginseng, whereas Panax quinquefolium did not reduce these changes. CONCLUSION: The protective effects of Panax ginseng on the TCDD-induced toxicity were more effective than those of Panax quinquefolium.
