Abstract
There are numerous studies to indicate that irradiation induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play an important causative role in radiation damage of the cell. We evaluated the effects of ginsan, a polysaccharide fraction extracted from Panax ginseng, on the γ-radiation induced alterations of some antioxidant systems in the spleen of Balb/c mice. On the 5th day after sublethal whole-body irradiation, homogenized spleen tissues of the irradiated mice expressed only marginally increased mRNA levels of Mn-SOD (superoxide dimutase) in contrast to Cu/Zn-SOD, however, catalase mRNA was decreased by ∼50% of the control. In vivo treatment of non-irradiated mice with ginsan (100 mg kg−1, intraperitoneal administration) had no significant effect, except for glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA, which increased to 144% from the control. However, the combination of irradiation with ginsan effectively increased the SODs and GPx transcription as well as their protein expressions and enzyme activities. In addition, the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and non-protein thiol induced by irradiation was normalized by the treatment of ginsan. Evidence indicated that transforming growth factor-β and other important cytokines such as IL-1, TNF and IFN-γ might be involved in evoking the antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, we propose that the modulation of antioxidant enzymes by ginsan was partly responsible for protecting the animal from radiation, and could be applied as a therapeutic remedy for various ROS-related diseases.
Highlights
In a variety of cells, ionizing radiation has been shown to enhance the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can induce oxidative damage to vital cellular molecules including DNA, proteins and lipids [1,2,3,4,5]
It is well known that the cytokines such as TNF-a and IL-1b are produced in various cells after irradiation [38] and they induce Mn-superoxide dimutase (SOD) mRNA in vitro and in vivo [25]
We previously reported that ginsan increased the production of these cytokines in irradiated mice and all ginsan-treated mice survived after 30 days of lethal irradiation (9 Gy) [23]
Summary
In a variety of cells, ionizing radiation has been shown to enhance the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can induce oxidative damage to vital cellular molecules including DNA, proteins and lipids [1,2,3,4,5]. In order to overcome the potential harmful effect of free radicals and to reduce the damage by oxidants, a variety of pharmacological antioxidants such as GSH, ceruloplasmin and transferrin have been examined [16]. Panax ginseng is one of the most popular natural tonics used in oriental countries. It exhibits a wide range of pharmacological actions such as antiaging, immunoenhancement, antistress and antitumor [17,18]. Ginseng extracts exhibit protective effects against peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acid caused by iron and hydrogen peroxide [20], ginsenosides protect pulmonary vascular endothelium from free radical-induced injury [21] and panaxadiol fractions inhibit aging and mutation via induction of Cu/Zn-SOD expression at the transcriptional level [22]
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