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Protective effect of Panax ginseng in cisplatin-induced cachexia in rats
Carla Lobina1, Mauro A M Carai, Barbara Loi
1Giancarlo Colombo Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, S.S. 554, km. 4,500 I-09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy.
Aim:
This study investigated the protective effect of a standardized extract of Panax ginseng on multiple cisplatin-induced 'sickness behaviors' (model of cancer-induced cachexia) in rats.
Materials & Methods:
Cisplatin was administered twice weekly (1-2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 5 consecutive weeks. Panax ginseng extract (0, 25 and 50 mg/kg, intragastric) was administered daily over the 5-week period of cisplatin exposure. Malaise, bodyweight and temperature, pain sensitivity, and endurance running were recorded at baseline and at 5 weekly intervals.
Results:
Treatment with cisplatin produced severe signs of malaise, marked loss of bodyweight, hypothermia, hyperalgesia and reduction in running time. Treatment with Panax ginseng extract completely prevented all cisplatin-induced alterations.
Conclusion:
These data indicate that treatment with Panax ginseng extract exerted a protective effect in a rat model of cachexia and suggest that Panax ginseng extract may be a therapeutic promising tool for supportive care in oncology.