Effects of pan ax ginseng on radiation exposure mediated hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male albino rats

الملخص EN

The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides which have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects including , anti-inflammatory, antioxidant , and anticancer effects.The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible antioxidant protective effect of Panax ginseng against radiation induced oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity .

Male albino rats were divided into 4 groups.

1- Control group: rats not subjected to any treatment.

2- Panax ginseng group: rats received daily oral administration of Panax ginseng (50 mg/Kg body weight) over 10 days .

3- irradiation groups: rats were whole body gamma irradiated at a single dose of 7 Gy .

4- group: rats received Panax ginseng for 10 days before whole body gamma irradiation at 7 Gy.Animals were sacrificed on the following day.

Results revealed that MDA contents, in irradiated group were markedly elevated as compared with control,whereas SOD activity was significantly decreased compared to control and treated group .

GSH-Px activity in irradiated group was enhanced when compared to control group, while CAT activity was markedly decreased compared to control and treated group.GSH levels were significantly lower in irradiated group compared to control and treated group indicating oxidative stress.The results demonstrated that rats received whole body gamma irradiation showed a significant increase in alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities,while serum concentration of total proteins,albumin,albumin/globulin ratio,were significantly decreased in irradiated animals.

Furthermore, liver of irradiated rats showed numerous histological alterations, including cellular infiltrations,congestions, haemorrhages,fatty degenerations,and centrilobular necrosis.

Significant increases in urea, creatinine and uric acid levels were recorded also indicating kidney damage.

Administration of Panax ginseng resulted in significant improvement of hepatic and renal function tests associated with the reduction of oxidative stress.

It could be concluded that Panax ginseng might modulate γ- radiation–induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity possibly through its antioxidant properties.