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Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Ototoxicity
Published on: March 16, 2018
Protective effect of Korean red ginseng extract on cisplatin ototoxicity in HEI-OC1 auditory cells
Gi Jung Im1, Ji Won Chang, June Choi
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, 126-1 Anam-dong 5-Ga, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Ginseng extract is known to have many beneficial effects, including the reversal of pathological and physiological changes induced by ischemia, stress, and aging. Cisplatin, an effective antineoplastic drug, can cause irreversible sensorineural hearing loss and serious tinnitus in humans; thus cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is a useful experimental model for ototoxicity. This study investigated the protective effects of Korean red ginseng extract on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in auditory cells. Pretreatment with 2.5 mg/mL of ginseng extract prior to application of 20 microM of cisplatin significantly increased cell viability after 48 h of incubation in auditory cells. Pretreatment with ginseng extract significantly attenuated the cisplatin-induced increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ginseng extract also inhibited the expression of caspase-3 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase related to cisplatin-induced apoptosis because a major mechanism of cisplatin-induced toxicity involves ROS production. Thus, Korean red ginseng extract can play both an anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative role on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in an auditory cell line.
Insights
Korean red ginseng extract protects auditory cells from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. It reduces reactive oxygen species and inhibits apoptosis, suggesting a therapeutic role for hearing loss prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug that can cause irreversible hearing loss (ototoxicity).
- Ototoxicity is often linked to oxidative stress and apoptosis in auditory cells.
- Ginseng extract has demonstrated various protective effects against cellular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective potential of Korean red ginseng extract against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
- To determine if ginseng extract can mitigate the cellular damage caused by cisplatin in auditory cells.
Main Methods:
- Auditory cells were pretreated with Korean red ginseng extract before exposure to cisplatin.
- Cell viability was assessed after incubation.
- Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured.
- Apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, PARP) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Ginseng extract pretreatment significantly enhanced auditory cell viability post-cisplatin exposure.
- Ginseng extract attenuated cisplatin-induced increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- Ginseng extract inhibited the expression of caspase-3 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, key markers of apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Korean red ginseng extract exhibits significant anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
- Ginseng extract demonstrates potential as a protective agent for preventing cisplatin-induced hearing damage.

