Evaluation of chemopreventive action and antimutagenic effect of the standardized Panax ginseng extract, EFLA400, in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

In the present investigation the chemopreventive action and antimutagenic effects of a standardized Panax Ginseng extract (EFLA400, processed Panax ginseng extract containing a high titre of ginsenoside Rg3 (>3.0% w/w) known as Phoenix ginseng) in Swiss albino mice have been evaluated. The oral administration of EFLA400 at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg body weight at pre, peri and post-initiational phases, showed significant reductions in the number, size and weight of the papillomas. A significant reduction in tumour incidence (71.41 +/- 6.73%, 72.19 +/- 4.54% and 70.46 +/- 0.38% at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively) was observed in animals in the EFLA400 treated group compared with 100% tumour incidence in the control group. The cumulative number of papillomas during an observation period of 16 weeks was significantly reduced in the EFLA400 treated group (24 +/- 0.94, 16 +/- 1.41 and 11 +/- 1.41 at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively). However, the average latent period was significantly increased from 10.81 +/- 0.1 weeks in the control group to 12.39 +/- 0.28 weeks in the treated group (10 mg/kg body weight). The average tumour weight was recorded as 128.55 +/- 8.48, 116.00 +/- 8.48 and 57.5 +/- 3.29 mg in 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg body weight EFLA400 treated groups respectively. Chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei induction was also evaluated in bone marrow cells. These genotoxicity end-points were compared with papilloma occurrence at the same dose levels of carcinogen and ginseng. In the EFLA400 treated groups significantly reduced frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei induced by DMBA and croton oil were observed. However, the maximum decrease in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei were recorded in the 10 mg/kg body weight EFLA400 treated group than that of the 1 and 3 mg/kg body weight EFLA400 treated animals. The results from the present study suggest the dose dependent effectiveness of EFLA400 in chemoprevention and antimutagenicity in Swiss albino mice.