Acute genoprotective effects on lymphocytic DNA with ginseng extract supplementation

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2013

Keywords

Antioxidant, Comet assay, DNA damage, Ginseng extract

Abstract

Ginseng is regarded as the ‘miracle’ herb or supplement in the traditional Chinese medicine. Minimizing DNA damage isthought to contribute to longevity. Previous study on ginseng aqueous extract showed in vitro DNA protection on humanlymphocytes against oxidative stress. In the current study, the potential DNA protective effect on lymphocytes aftersupplementation of commercial ginseng extract was measured by comet assay. Seven volunteers were requested to ingest 200 mLwater with five capsules of ginseng extract. On the other occasions, seven volunteers took 200 mL of water only as the control trial.Venous blood samples before ingestion were taken. Subjects were requested to keep fasting and the second blood sample wastaken at 2.5 hours. Lymphocyte was isolated and subjected to comet assay. DNA damage of isolated lymphocytes was induced by 50 μM H2O2 and the level of damage of was graded under fluorescence microscope. Results showed that there was significantdecrease (77% lower) in comet score in ginseng treatment group. No significant change of DNA damage in water treatment groupwas observed. In conclude, a normal dose of commercial ginseng extract was able to lower DNA damage of peripherallymphocyte within 2.5 hours of ingestion.

Source Publication

Journal of Aging Research & Clinical Practice

Volume Number

2

Issue Number

2

ISSN

2273-421X

First Page

174

Last Page

177

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