Effects of polysaccharide ginsan fromPanax ginseng on liver function

Abstract

Ginsan, a polysaccharide isolated from Panax ginseng, has been shown to be a potent immunomodulator, producing a variety of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma and GM-CSF, and stimulating lymphoid cells to proliferate. In the present study, we analyzed some immune functions 1st-5th days after ginsan i.p. injection, including the level of non-protein thiols (NPSH) as antioxidants, heme oxygenase (HO) activity as a marker of oxidative stress, zoxazolamine-induced paralysis time and level of hepatic cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) as indices of drug metabolism system, and activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and albumin level as indicators of hepatotoxicity. Ginsan in the dose of 100 mg/kg caused marked elevation (1.7 to approximately 2 fold) of HO activity, decrease of total CYP450 level (by 20-34%), and prolongation of zoxazolamine-induced paralysis time (by 65-70%), and showed some differences between male and female mice. Ginsan treatment did not seem to cause hepatic injury, since serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities and levels of total bilirubin and albumin were not changed.

Radioprotective effects of an acidic polysaccharide of Panax ginseng on bone marrow cells

“…The drug metabolism of APG and its effects on liver have been previously examined [19]. Although there appeared to be marginal difference between males and females, APG did not show significant hepatic toxicity, and did not cause any changes in the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferease levels.…”

Structure and biological activities of the polysaccharides from the leaves, roots and fruits of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: An overview

“…These data illustrated that the antiseptic activity of ginsan against S. aureus can be attributed to the suppression of acute inflammatory responses at an early phase, and enhanced bacterial clearance at subsequent phases of infection. Song et al (2004) analyzed the effects of polysaccharide ginsan from P. ginseng on liver function. The data showed that ginsan treatment did not seem to cause hepatic injury, since serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as levels of total bilirubin and albumin were not changed.…”

Bioactivities, isolation and purification methods of polysaccharides from natural products: A review

“…promoting the maturation, differentiation and reproduction of three kinds of cells (lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells) [13]; simultaneously activating complements and the endothelial system on the endoplasmic reticulum; promoting the generation of a variety of cytokines [14]; and ultimately inhibiting the growth of tumor cells or causing the apoptosis of tumor cells. Other polysaccharides which are being researched further include Bergenia crassifolia pectin polysaccharide [20], Phellinus linteus polysaccharide [21], Grifola frondosa polysaccharide [22], Panax ginseng polysaccharide [23], Agaricus blazei polysaccharide [24], Antrodia cinnamomea polysaccharide [25], lycium barbarum polysaccharide [26], acetobacter polysaccharide [27] and so on [28,29]. Some polysaccharides, like lentinan [15,16], polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum [17,18], polysaccharide from Coriolus versicolor [19] and so on have been formally used in clinic and favored by doctors.…”