Modulating Effects of Korean Ginseng Saponins on Ovarian Function in Immature Rats

Abstract

Superovulation induction with exogenous gonadotropins such as pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) is a well-established practical technique. The purpose of this technique is to achieve enhanced commercial production of genetically meritorious individuals in the livestock industry, to retrieve a number of oocytes and early embryos in various research fields including genetic engineering, and to treat medically diverse types of female infertility in human. In spite of these advantages, the results obtained from its application on large domestic and small laboratory animals generally appear very disappointing. [1][2][3][4][5] In immature rats, administration of superovulatory doses of PMSG leads to a great reduction in fertilization rates, a substantial loss and degeneration of preimplantation embryos, and a partial or complete failure of implantation. [6][7][8][9] Major defects following superovulatory treatment with PMSG could occur in the process of follicular development and oocyte maturation by hyperstimulation of PMSG on ovarian tissues because of prolonged biochemical action of PMSG that has long half-life.10,11) Hyperstimulation of PMSG on ovarian tissues also induced atypical ovulation of abnormal follicles that would not ovulate and regress under a regular estrous cycle. [11][12][13] However, the precise mechanisms of these negative aspects exerted by superovulatory treatment are not fully understood.Ginseng has been regarded as one of the important remedies in oriental medicine for one thousand years. A review of classical oriental medicine literature showed that ginseng improves the functions of almost all the organs in the body, including reproductive organs.14) It has been sound that the most effective components in ginseng are saponins including ginsenosides which are plant glycosides having a triterpenoid dammarane skeleton as an aglycone, with three sites called R 1 , R 2 and R 3 for ester bonding with the glycones : glucose, rhamnose, xylose and arabinose.15) The specific structure of ginsenosides, a triterpenoid dammarane skeleton, is quite similar to that of ovarian steroid hormones, namely, cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene nucleus, implying that ginsenosides are biochemically active substances and that they act as functional ligands in steroid related reproductive organs.15) Recently, the action mechanisms of various ginsenoside fractions have been elucidated in many laboratories. For example, the fractions ginsenoside-Rg 1 , -Rh 1 and -Rh 2 exert, via glucocorticoid receptor, their biological actions which are to have glucocorticoid-response gene expressed, and/or to stimulate specific cell differentiation. [15][16][17] However, there is scarcely any available data on the effects of ginseng components on the male or female reproductive system. It has been reported in clinical medicine that in mildly infertile men Korean ginseng components stimulated spermatogenesis and enhanced spermatozoa motility.18) In addition, in menopausal sterile women, the in...

Protective role ofPanax ginseng extract standardized with ginsenoside Rg3 against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in rats

“…These results were in agreement with those reported by Shelby (2004). Although no significant effects were noticed in the animals that received Phoenix ginseng, the combined treatment succeeded in restoring the hormonal levels towards the normal values of the controls and provides strong evidence that Phoenix ginseng has a curative effect on ovarian dysfunction (Yu et al, 2003).…”

Ginsenosides stimulated the proliferation of mouse spermatogonia involving activation of protein kinase C

“…A few studies have reported the action of ginsenosides on reproduction. Ginsenosides ameliorated ovarian dysfunction caused by excessive stimulation with equine chorionic gonadotropin in immature rats (Yu et al, 2003). Ginsenosides stimulated meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes through a paracrine pathway involving the nitric oxide/inducible nitric oxide synthase system .…”

Analysis of Bacterial Community in the Ginseng Soil Using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE)

“…Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been regarded as one of the important remedies in oriental medicine for more than thousand years [2]. The objective of this work was to determine the shifts on the PCR-DGGE profiles of bacterial communities associated with the rhizosphere soil of ginseng at varying age levels.…”