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PubMed2006

Study on the nitric oxide scavenging effects of ginseng and its compounds.

In this study, an in vitro nitric oxide (*NO)-generating system was used to investigate the *NO-scavenging effects of methanolic extracts of white ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), red ginseng, and sun ginseng and several ginsenosides and phenolic compounds. Sun ginseng extract showed the strongest activity among the three ginseng extracts. None of the ginsenosides used in this experiment showed *NO-scavenging activity, but the phenolic compounds, such as p-coumaric and vanillic acids, and maltol inhibited *NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, maltol levels markedly increased by heat processing. Therefore, the enhanced *NO-scavenging activity of ginseng by heat processing was closely related to phenolic acids and the increased content of maltol.

Coumaric Acids↗

PubMed2001

Stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis by the aqueous extract of Panax ginseng root in RAW 264.7 cells.

1. In this study, we investigated the effect of Panax ginseng root aqueous extracts upon inducible nitric oxide synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells. Panax ginseng root extract has been used in the Asian world for centuries as a traditional herb to enhance physical strength and resistance and is becoming more and more popular in Europe and North America. 2. Incubation of murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) with increasing amounts of aqueous extracts of Panax ginseng (0.05 - 0.8 microg microl(-1)) showed a dose dependent stimulation of inducible nitric oxide synthesis. 3. Polysaccharides isolated from Panax ginseng showed strong stimulation of inducible nitric oxide synthesis, whereas a triterpene-enriched fraction from an aqueous extract of Panax ginseng did not show any stimulation. 4. Inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression was enhanced in a dose dependent manner as revealed by immunoblotting when cells were incubated with increasing amounts of Panax ginseng extract. This was associated with an incline in inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA-levels as determined by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction and electromobility shift assay studies indicated enhanced nuclear factor-kappaB DNA binding activity. 5. As nitric oxide plays an important role in immune function, Panax ginseng treatment could modulate several aspects of host defense mechanisms due to stimulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha is involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism by ginseng.

1. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) regulates the expression of the key genes involved in lipid metabolism following activation of this receptor by various ligands. Ginseng, a highly valuable medicine in oriental societies, is also reported to modulate lipid metabolism, although the mechanism of its action remains unknown. In order to test our hypothesis that ginseng exerts its effects by altering PPARalpha-mediated pathways, the effects of Korean red ginseng on PPARalpha function and serum lipid profiles were investigated using in vivo and in vitro approaches. 2. In vivo administration of ginseng extract (GE) and ginsenosides (GS) not only inhibited mRNA levels of acyl-CoA oxidase, a rate-limiting enzyme for PPARalpha-mediated peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation, induced by the potent PPARalpha ligand Wy14,643 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but also inhibited the induction of PPARalpha target genes expected following treatment with Wy14,643. 3. Consistent with the in vivo data, both GE and GS caused dose-dependent decreases in the endogenous expression of a luciferase reporter gene containing the PPAR responsive element (PPRE), while GS significantly decreased the magnitude of reporter gene activation in the presence of Wy14,643. 4. Serological studies demonstrated that, compared with vehicle-treated mice, treatment with GS significantly increased serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Compared to groups treated with Wy14,643 alone, which significantly decreased serum triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels versus controls, coadministration of either GE or GS with Wy14,643 modestly increased serum triglycerides and HDL cholesterol. 5. These results indicate that the effects of ginseng on serum lipid profiles may be mediated by changes in the expression of PPARalpha target genes, providing the first evidence that in vivo and in vitro treatments of ginseng modulate PPARalpha action. In addition, these data suggest that ginseng can act as an inhibitor of PPARalpha function, which may have therapeutic implications.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effect of subcutaneous injection of ginseng on cows with subclinical Staphylococcus aureus mastitis.

Cows with subclinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus were subjected to subcutaneous injections with either an extract from the root of Panax ginseng CA Meyer at a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight per day for 6 days, or with saline as a control. The injection areas were checked for adverse reactions. The daily milk production was measured before and after treatment. Blood was collected for total and differential leucocyte counts, identification of lymphocyte subpopulations using flow cytometry, lymphocyte proliferation test, and neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst assay. Quarter milk samples were collected for bacteriological analysis and somatic cell counts (SCC). After the end of treatment, the numbers of S. aureus-infected quarters and milk SCC tended to decrease in ginseng-treated cows. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of blood neutrophils were significantly increased 1 week after ginseng treatment, but the proliferative response of blood lymphocytes did not change significantly. The number of monocytes in ginseng-injected cows was significantly higher 1 week post-treatment than pre-treatment, and the number of lymphocytes was significantly higher than pre-infusion at 2 and 3 weeks after ginseng treatment. Similar changes were not observed in the control group. The present findings indicate that ginseng treatment can activate the innate immunity of cows and may contribute to the cow's recovery from mastitis. It is therefore suggested that ginseng has a potential as a stimulator of the immune system of dairy cows.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Comparative study on triterpene saponins of Ginseng drugs.

A comparative study on the triterpene saponins of 47 samples of Ginseng drugs derived from 12 Panax taxa was conducted using a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)method. Eleven ginsenosides, which represent 4 types of typical sapogenins, were chosen as standards for quantitative determination in order to characterize the chemical constituent pattern of each Ginseng drug and investigate the relationship between genetic varieties and chemical constituent pattern. The results showed that the ginsenoside compositions in Ginseng drugs of different origins were of considerable variability. Total saponin contents varied by 10-fold from the highest drug to the lowest one. Chikusetsu-ninjin derived from P. japonicus (Japan) was found to have the highest content (192.80 - 296.18 mg/g) and Ginseng from P. ginseng to be the lowest (5.78 - 15.63 mg/g). Two main groups (I and II) suggested by phytochemical data were clearly observed; group I mainly containing dammarane saponins consisted of P. ginseng, P. quinquefolius, P. notoginseng, P. vietnamensis and P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus; and group II containing a large amount of oleanolic acid saponins was com-posed of P.japonicus (apan), P. zingiberensis, P.japonicus (China),P. japonicus var. angustifolius, P. japonicus var. major, P. japonicus var. bipinnatifidus and P. stipuleanatus. The ratios of the subtotal of dammarane saponins to that of oleanolic acid saponins (D/0) were found to be > 1.9 and < 0.25 for groups I and II, respectively. The drug samples derived from the same botanical origin revealed similar constituent patterns, in other words, each Panaxtaxon showed its own characteristic chromatographic profile,which appeared in the specific shape of an 11-direction radar graph constructed on the basis of the result of quantitative analysis. Similarities of chemical constitution were seen among the closely phylogenetically-related taxa, including P. ginseng and P.quinquefolius, P. vietnamensis and P. vietnamensis var.fuscidiscus,P. japonicus (China) and its varieties were demonstrated, except P. japonicus (Japan) and P. zingiberensis.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2005

Improvement of insulin resistance by panax ginseng in fructose-rich chow-fed rats.

In an attempt to probe a new target for handling insulin resistance, we used Panax ginseng root to screen the effect on insulin resistance induced by fructose-rich chow in rats. Insulin action on glucose disposal rate was measured using the glucose-insulin index, which is the product of the areas under the curve of glucose and insulin during the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Oral administration of Panax ginseng root (125.0 mg/kg) into rats three times daily for three days after receiving fructose-rich chow for four weeks reversed the increased glucose-insulin index, indicating that Panax ginseng root has the ability to improve insulin sensitivity. In addition, the plasma glucose concentrations in rats repeatedly treated with Panax ginseng root were not elevated as markedly as those of the vehicle-treated group during the fructose-rich chow-feeding period. Also, the time in which the plasma glucose-lowering response to tolbutamide (10.0 mg/kg, i. p.) receded in fructose-rich chow fed rats was markedly delayed by repeated Panax ginseng root treatment compared to the vehicle-treated group. The plasma glucose-lowering activity of tolbutamide is believed to depend on the secretion of endogenous insulin, which is widely used as an indicator of insulin resistance development. Thus, it provided supportive data that oral administration of Panax ginseng root could delay the development of insulin resistance in rats. In conclusion, our results suggest that oral administration of Panax ginseng root improves insulin sensitivity and may be used as an adjuvant therapy for treating diabetic patients with insulin resistance.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Short-term oral administration of ginseng extract induces type-1 cytokine production.

Ginseng radix (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is a popular herbal medicine used as a major ingredient in tonic recipes in eastern Asian countries. In our study, male BALB/c mice were treated orally with various doses of ginseng root extract for 5 consecutive days. The extract reduced the serum level of IgG but elevated the level of IgA. Under in vitro condition, the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated spleen cells from the ginseng-treated mice also showed a significant decrease in IgG production but an increase in IgA production. The serum level and production of IgM was unaffected. The interleukin-2, interferon-gamma (Th1-type cytokines), and interleukin-10 (Tr1-type cytokine) production by Con A-stimulated spleen cells from the ginseng-treated mice showed an upregulation relative to the control group. However, the production of interleukin-4 (Th2-type cytokine) showed no significant change. The activity of natural killer cells was increased in the ginseng group, but the percentages of T-lymphocytes (CD3(+)) and CD4(+)8(-), CD4(-)8(+) subset were reduced. Thus, short-term oral administration of ginseng extract appears to enhance Th1-type cytokine production.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2001

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) attenuates postprandial glycemia in a time-dependent but not dose-dependent manner in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: We previously showed that 3 g American ginseng administered 40 min before an oral glucose challenge significantly reduces postprandial glycemia in subjects without diabetes. Whether this effect can be replicated with doses <3 g and administration times closer to the oral glucose challenge is unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to study the dosing and timing effects of American ginseng on postprandial glycemia. DESIGN: In a random crossover design, 12 healthy individuals [X +/- SEM age: 42 +/- 7 y; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2): 24.1 +/- 1.1] received 16 treatments: 0 (placebo), 1, 2, or 3 g American ginseng at 40, 20, 10, or 0 min before a 25-g oral glucose challenge. Capillary blood was collected before administration and at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 min after the start of the glucose challenge. RESULTS: Two-way analysis of variance showed that the main effects of treatment and administration time were significant (P < 0.05). Glycemia was lower over the last 45 min of the test after doses of 1, 2, or 3 g ginseng than after placebo (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences between doses. The reductions in the areas under the curve for these 3 doses were 14.4 +/- 6.5%, 10.6 +/- 4.0%, and 9.1 +/- 6%, respectively. Glycemia in the last hour of the test and area under the curve were significantly lower when ginseng was administered 40 min before the challenge than when it was administered 20, 10, or 0 min before the challenge (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: American ginseng reduced postprandial glycemia in subjects without diabetes. These reductions were time dependent but not dose dependent: an effect was seen only when the ginseng was administered 40 min before the challenge. Doses within the range of 1-3 g were equally effective.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Effect of St John's wort and ginseng on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects.

UNLABELLED: M: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of St John's wort and ginseng on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin. METHODS: This was an open-label, three-way crossover randomized study in 12 healthy male subjects, who received a single 25-mg dose of warfarin alone or after 14 days' pretreatment with St John's wort, or 7 days' pretreatment with ginseng. Dosing with St John's wort or ginseng was continued for 7 days after administration of the warfarin dose. Platelet aggregation, international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time, warfarin enantiomer protein binding, warfarin enantiomer concentrations in plasma and S-7-hydroxywarfarin concentration in urine were measured. Statistical comparisons were made using anova and 90% confidence intervals are reported. RESULTS: INR and platelet aggregation were not affected by treatment with St John's wort or ginseng. The apparent clearances of S-warfarin after warfarin alone or with St John's wort or ginseng were, respectively, 198 +/- 38 ml h(-1), 270 +/- 44 ml h(-1) and 220 +/- 29 ml h(-1). The respective apparent clearances of R-warfarin were 110 +/- 25 ml h(-1), 142 +/- 29 ml h(-1) and 119 +/- 20 ml h(-1) [corrected]. The mean ratio and 90% confidence interval (CI) of apparent clearance for S-warfarin was 1.29 (1.16, 1.46) and for R-warfarin it was 1.23 (1.11, 1.37) when St John's wort was coadministered. The mean ratio and 90% CI of AUC(0-168) of INR was 0.79 (0.70, 0.95) when St John's wort was coadministered. St John's wort and ginseng did not affect the apparent volumes of distribution or protein binding of warfarin enantiomers. CONCLUSIONS: St John's wort significantly induced the apparent clearance of both S-warfarin and R-warfarin, which in turn resulted in a significant reduction in the pharmacological effect of rac-warfarin. Coadministration of warfarin with ginseng did not affect the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of either S-warfarin or R-warfarin.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

Effects of red ginseng upon postoperative immunity and survival in patients with stage III gastric cancer.

In this paper, we present evidence that the red ginseng powder from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer inhibits the recurrence of AJCC stage III gastric cancer and shows immunomodulatory activities during postoperative chemotherapy, after a curative resection with D2 lymph node dissection. Flow cytometric analyses for peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets showed that the red ginseng powder restored CD4 levels to the initial preoperative values during postoperative chemotherapy. Depression of CD3 during postoperative chemotherapy was also inhibited by the red ginseng powder ingestion. This study demonstrated a five-year disease free survival and overall survival rate that was significantly higher in patients taking the red ginseng powder during postoperative chemotherapy versus control (68.2% versus 33.3%, 76.4% versus 38.5%, respectively, p < 0.05). In spite of the limitation of a small number of patients (n = 42), these findings suggest that red ginseng powder may help to improve postoperative survival in these patients. Additionally, red ginseng powder may have some immunomodulatory properties associated with CD3 and CD4 activity in patients with advanced gastric cancer during postoperative chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

Mycotoxins in root extracts of American and Asian ginseng bind estrogen receptors alpha and beta.

The estrogenic activity of ginseng has been the subject of conflicting reports. Cell proliferation, induction of estrogen-responsive genes, and isolated cases of adverse reactions such as postmenopausal vaginal bleeding and gynecomastia have been reported after ginseng treatment. Other studies report antiproliferative effects with no induction of estrogen-responsive genes. We developed estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and ER alpha competitive binding assays using recombinant receptors and [(3)H]-17 alpha-estradiol to detect phytoestrogens in extracts of Asian ginseng root (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) and American ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius L.). Root extracts contained substances that bound both receptor isoforms. These substances had a two to three times greater affinity for ER alpha. Significantly higher binding was found in methanol extracts than in hot water extracts. Subsequent analysis of the extracts revealed significant ER binding attributable to zearalenone, the estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species. The ER showed no binding affinity for Rb1 and Rg1, the major ginsenosides found in P. quinquefolius and P. ginseng, respectively. Thus, ginseng extraction methods, plant species tested, and mycotoxin contaminants may help to explain the disparate literature reports. The prevalence and health significance of fungal contamination in herbal products used for medicinal purposes should be further investigated.

Binding, Competitive↗

PubMed2000

Inhibition by ginseng of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induction of aberrant crypt foci in the rat colon.

The modifying effects of dietary administration of ginseng on the induction and development of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were investigated in Fischer 344 (F-344) rats. In Experiment 1, starting at six weeks of age, 65 rats were injected with DMH or saline alone once a week for four weeks. Rats in Groups 1 and 2 were fed diets containing 1% ginseng for five weeks, starting one week before the first dose of DMH. Animals in Groups 3 and 4 received ginseng for eight weeks after DMH treatment; Group 5 served as a carcinogen control group. In Experiment 2, 60 rats were injected with DMH or saline alone four times at one-week intervals. They were also fed diets containing 1% ginseng or the control diet throughout the 30 days of the experiment. In Experiment 1, numbers of foci with at least four crypts were significantly reduced in Group 2 treated with red ginseng during the initiation phase (p < 0.005). In Experiment 2, treatment with red ginseng also resulted in a decrease in the total number of DMH-induced ACF accompanied by a reduction in 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling indexes in colonic crypts comprising ACF (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively). These findings suggest that dietary administration of red ginseng in combination with DMH suppresses colon carcinogenesis of rats, and the inhibition may be associated, in part, with suppression of cell proliferation in the colonic mucosa.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗

PubMed1998

In vitro antioxidant activity of Vietnamese ginseng saponin and its components.

To elucidate the antioxidant action of Vietnamese ginseng saponin against free radial-mediated cellular damage, we examined the effect of Vietnamese ginseng saponin on lipid peroxidation in the mouse brain, liver, and liver microsomes by using two in vitro free radical generating systems (iron ferrous+ascorbic acid and iron ferrous+hydrogen peroxide). Free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring the endogenous and stimulated accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBA-RS). Vietnamese ginseng saponin (0.05-0.5 mg/ml), as well as vitamin E, significantly inhibited the formation of TBA-RS in tissue homogenates. Panax ginseng saponin, at the same concentration range as Vietnamese ginseng saponin, also had inhibitory action on free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation. However, majonoside-R2, ginsenoside-Rg1 and ginsenoside-Rb1, the main saponin components of Vietnamese ginseng saponin fraction, had no effect on lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that Vietnamese ginseng exerts a protective action against free radical-induced tissue injury and that this effect is attributable to minor components rather than the main saponin components tested.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Biotransformation of Korean Panax ginseng by Pectinex.

Ginsenosides comprise the major component of ginseng exhibit various types of biological activity, including antiinflammatory and antitumor effects. In these pharmacological actions, it is thought that these activities are carried out by the metabolites of ginsenosides metabolized by human intestinal microflora. It has also been reported that their clinical efficacy varies with the hydrolyzing potential of the components of the intestinal microflora. We tried to develop a process for metabolizing ginsenosides to compound K using food-grade enzymes, which can be used commercially. Among these, Pectinex proved to be the most effective mediator of the catabolism of ginsenosides to compound K. The optimal conditions for this biotransformation were determined to be as follows: 10 to 15% rootlet ginseng, pH 5, 50 degrees C, and 2 to 3 d of incubation, to yield 20.0 mg of compound K/g of rootlet ginseng. We suggest that the metabolism of ginseng to compound K in the presence of Pectinex has many advantages over previous methods, in respects of use of raw, non-extracted rootlet ginseng, which do not require more organic solvents and evaporation apparatus. Potential metabolites PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4 were detected in Pectinex-treated rootlet ginseng using by TLC and HPLC and, among them, PG4 was identified as compound K by TLC, HPLC, and MS. Additional studies will be carried out to determine the structure of these metabolites of ginseng and to understand the relationship between their structures and activities.

Biotransformation↗

PubMed1995

[Simultaneous analysis of ginsenosides of various ginseng radix by HPLC].

A simultaneous analysis of ginsenosides in Panax ginseng by high performance liquid chromatography recently established by us was applied to the analysis of various Ginseng Radix. The contents of ginsenosides in P. ginseng were examined according to the differences of the growth year, the used part of the plant, the method of processing and the cultivated location. In the case of P. ginseng cultivated in Nagano, Japan, the ratio (total ginsenosides content/total dry root weight) increases annually for three years. And it decreased at the fourth year and increases again at the fifth and the sixth years. Concerning the distribution of ginsenosides in the parts of the plant, they were contained at the highest level in a lateral root and in succession, in a rhizome > in a root hair > in a main root. They were also distributed much richer at periderm than at phloem or at xylem of a main root. The contents of panaxadiol- and panaxatriol-saponins gradually increase with the growth year, whereas an oleananesaponin, ginsenoside-Ro, drastically increases at the sixth year and goes to 15-fold, which suggests that the content of ginsenoside-Ro needs to be estimated much more when Ginseng Radix is evaluated. The fact that the processing for preparation of Red Ginseng increases the total content of saponins was clearly revealed by the present study. The highest contents of saponins among Red Ginsengs (all 6-year-old) were observed in ones prepared in Korea, and in Japan > in China, successively.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2003

Effects of ginseng on secretory IgA, performance, and recovery from interval exercise.

PURPOSE: This study examined the efficacy of ginseng to modulate secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), exercise performance, and recovery from repeated bouts of strenuous physical exertion. METHODS: Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized design, 38 active healthy adults supplemented their diets with a standardized ginseng concentrate (400 mg.d-1 of G115; equivalent to 2 g of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer root material) or placebo (lactose) for 8 wk. Before and after the intervention, each subject performed three consecutive 30-s Wingate tests interspersed with 3-min recovery periods under controlled laboratory conditions. SIgA secretion rate (S-SIgA) and the relation of SIgA to total protein were calculated from measures of saliva flow rate (SFR), and absolute SIgA and salivary protein concentrations in timed, whole unstimulated saliva samples collected before and after exercise testing. Peak and mean mechanical power output (W.kg-1) was measured with an infrared-beam optical-sensor array, and exercise recovery heart rate (HRR) was determined electrocardiographically. RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects (12 placebo, 15 ginseng) completed the study. Compared with rest, S-SIgA, SIgA:protein ratio, and SFR were lower after exercise at baseline (P < 0.05). Similarly, both peak and mean mechanical power output declined (P < 0.01) across consecutive Wingate tests. Postintervention minus preintervention change scores for salivary parameters, exercise performance, and HRR were similar between ginseng- and placebo-treated groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings do not support the hypothesis that ginseng may affect mucosal immunity as indicated by changes in secretory IgA at rest and after an exercise induced state of homeostatic disturbance. Supplementation with ginseng fails to improve physical performance and heart rate recovery of individuals undergoing repeated bouts of exhausting exercise.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[Pharmacological and physiological effects of ginseng on actions induced by opioids and psychostimulants].

Pharmacological and physiological effects of ginseng on actions induced by opioids and psychostimulants were summarized. Analgesic effects of opioids, such as morphine and U-50,488H, were blocked by ginseng in a non-opioid dependent manner. Furthermore, ginseng inhibited the tolerance to and dependence on morphine, and prevented the suppressive effect on the development of morphine tolerance caused by co-exposure to foot-shock stress, but not psychological stress. On the other hand, behavioral sensitization (reverse tolerance to ambulation-accelerating effect) to morphine, methamphetamine (MAP) and cocaine was also inhibited by ginseng. Interestingly, ginseng also inhibited the appearance of the recurrent phenomenon (reappearance of the sensitized state was observed at the time of readministration of MAP and cocaine even after a 30-day discontinuation of drug administration) of the effect of MAP and cocaine. The conditioned place preference of MAP and cocaine was completely blocked by ginseng. These findings provide evidence that ginseng may be useful clinically for the prevention of abuse and dependence of opioids and psychostimulants.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacological and physiological effects of ginseng on actions induced by opioids and psychostimulants.

Pharmacological and physiological effects of ginseng on actions induced by opioids and psychostimulants are summarized. Analgesic effects of opioids, such as morphine and U-50, 488H, were blocked by ginseng in a nonopioid dependent manner. Furthermore, ginseng inhibited the tolerance to and dependence on morphine, and eliminated the suppressive effect of the development of morphine tolerance by coexposure to footshock stress, but not psychological stress. On the other hand, behavior sensitization (reverse tolerance to their ambulation-accelerating effect) to morphine, methamphetamine and cocaine was also inhibited by ginseng. Interestingly, ginseng also inhibited the appearance of the recurrent phenomenon (reappearance of the sensitized state was observed at the time of readministration of methamphetamine and cocaine even after a 30-day discontinuation of drug administration) of the effect of methamphetamine and cocaine. The conditioned place preference of methamphetamine and cocaine was completely blocked by ginseng. These findings provide evidence that ginseng may be useful clinically for the prevention of abuse and dependence of opioids and psychostimulants.

Animals↗