Antidiabetic antioxidant effect of Panax ginseng

Abstract

This study was done to investigate the biochemical effect of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer on the diabetic rats. Sixty male albino rats were divided into four groups (fifteen for each group)Normal control, normal treated, diabetic and treated diabetic groups. Blood glucose, serum insulin, serum lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL-cholesterol) were estimated. Also, serum interleukin - 6 (IL- 6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF - α) were determined. Liver oxidant malondialdehyde (MDA), liver antioxidants {glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)} were determined. The mean values of blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL- cholesterol showed significant decrease in treated diabetic group as compared to their values in the diabetic group. Also, serum IL - 6 and TNF - α levels were improved after treatment with ginseng. Liver antioxidants were decreased in the diabetic group while they were significantly increased after treatment with ginseng. We concluded that Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer could be used safely as antidiabetic antioxidant agent.   Key words: Ginseng, diabetes, antioxidant, IL - 6, TNF - α.