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Impact of ginseng on neurotoxicity induced by cisplatin in rats
Mohamed Hussien1, Mokhtar Ibrahim Yousef2
1Pharmacology and Therapeutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharos University, Canal El Mahmoudia Street, Smouha, Sidi Gaber, P.O. Box 37, Alexandria, Egypt. hendsoh@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
Over the years, many researches have shown the potential protective effects of ginseng for preventing and treating neurological damage and their related diseases. Neuronal disturbance is one of the most common serious effects of cisplatin chemotherapy that triggers memory impairment and cognitive disability. Based on the hypothesis that mechanistic pathways of ginseng against the neurological and biochemical disturbance remain unclear, therefore, this study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of ginseng extract against neurological and behavior abnormality induced by cisplatin in male rats. Animals were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as a control, group 2 was orally administrated with ginseng (100 mg/kg BW) daily for 90 days, group 3 was injected intraperitoneally with cisplatin (4 mg/kg BW) once a week for 90 days, and group 4 received ginseng and cisplatin. Cisplatin induced a learning and memory dysfunction in the Morris water maze task and locomotor disability in the rotarod test. In addition, cisplatin disrupted the oxidant/antioxidant systems, neuroinflammatory molecules (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, and IL-1β), neurotransmitters, and apoptotic (caspase-3, P53, and Bax) and dementia markers (amyloid-β40 and amyloid-β 42). Co-treatment with ginseng extracts successfully ameliorated the cognitive behaviors and intramuscular strength and presented a good protective agent against neurological damage. Histopathological and histochemical studies proved the neuroprotective effect of ginseng. Our data showed that ginseng capable to counteract the memory dysfunction is induced by cisplatin via reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation restoring the neurological efficiency.
Insights
Ginseng extract protected male rats from cisplatin-induced memory loss and neurological damage by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. This study highlights ginseng
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cisplatin chemotherapy can cause significant neurological damage, including memory impairment and cognitive deficits.
- The precise mechanisms underlying ginseng's neuroprotective effects against chemotherapy-induced neuronal disturbances are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective potential of ginseng extract against cisplatin-induced neurological and behavioral abnormalities in male rats.
- To elucidate the mechanistic pathways involved in ginseng's protective effects.
Main Methods:
- Male rats were divided into four groups: control, ginseng only, cisplatin only, and ginseng + cisplatin.
- Animals were treated for 90 days, with behavioral tests (Morris water maze, rotarod) and biochemical analyses performed.
- Evaluated parameters included oxidant/antioxidant systems, neuroinflammatory markers, neurotransmitters, apoptotic markers, and dementia markers.
Main Results:
- Cisplatin administration induced significant learning and memory deficits, locomotor impairment, and disruptions in oxidant/antioxidant balance.
- Cisplatin increased neuroinflammation, altered neurotransmitter levels, and upregulated apoptotic and dementia markers.
- Ginseng co-treatment ameliorated cognitive and motor deficits, suggesting a protective role against cisplatin neurotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Ginseng extract demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects against cisplatin-induced neurological and behavioral impairments in rats.
- Ginseng counteracts cisplatin neurotoxicity by mitigating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, thereby restoring neurological function.
- These findings support ginseng's potential as a therapeutic agent to prevent or treat chemotherapy-induced neurological side effects.
