Effect of sodium fluoride with and without ginseng on the submandibular gland of adult male albino rat: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Fluoride has long been recognized as one of the best health measures in the prevention of dental caries. Excessive exposure to fluoride may induce undesirable effects on various body organs. Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines with a wide range of beneficial therapeutic effects. To evaluate the histological changes in rat submandibular gland that might result from exposure to sodium fluoride and the possible protective role of ginseng. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups: control group, ginsengtreated group, fluoride-treated group, and the fourth group was concomitantly treated with both ginseng and fluoride. The animals were treated orally once daily for 4 weeks. Specimens from the submandibular glands were processed for light and electron microscopy. The myoepithelial cells were demonstrated immunohistochemically using alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody and the results were statistically analyzed. Specimens from fluoride-treated animals showed disarrangement of acinar cells, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and nuclear irregularity. The intralobular ducts showed disorganization of the lining epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. Ultrastructurally, focal separation of some acinar cells, disarrangement of rough endoplasmic reticulum, huge secondary lysosomes, swollen mitochondria, and coalescence of secretory granules were observed in some cells. Immunohistochemical study showed a highly significant increase in the immunoreaction at the periphery of the acini, intercalated ducts, and striated ducts. In contrast, minimal changes were observed in rats concomitantly treated by both ginseng and fluoride with a nonsignificant increase in the immunoreaction. Long-term exposure to fluoride could induce structural changes in rat submandibular gland, which could be partially minimized by concomitant treatment with ginseng

A Study on the true nature of 'Chinese Jinseng' / 의사학

Studies Generally, it is believed that the ancient 'Chinese jinseng' did exist due to the fact that it is clearly recorded in the Chinese historical and medicine-related sources. Although it is hard to deny that such 'ginseng' did exist in ancient China, the re-examination of its true nature is also necessary. In other words, certain refutation can be made against the claim that ancient 'Chinese jinseng' was in fact 'Panax ginseng C. A. Mey', since the Chinese jinseng accounts do not tell that it is such. For example, when looking into its shape based on descriptions, the 'Chinese jinseng' has black seed hairy stem, and violet flower, 'Panax ginseng C. A. Mey', on the other hand, has opal seed, no-hair stem, and light-green flower. In terms of cultivation centre, most of mainland China is unsuitable for jinseng production with the exception of the Shangdang area of Shanxi province, which solely had the reputation of being the production centre of ancient 'Chinese jinseng'. However, when looking into the Chinese sources for jinseng-producing areas they show that Hepei and Liaoning province and Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze river) areas also have had some jinseng-related history. Regardless of such instance, these regions did not cultivate 'Panax ginseng C. A. Mey'. As shown above, ancient 'Chinese jinseng' was far from being identical, in respect to its shape or production areas, to 'Panax ginseng C. A. Mey'. Hence, this study came to the conclusion that there is indeed very high skepticism about whether the true nature of 'jinseng' in ancient China was in fact 'Panax ginseng C. A. Mey'. On the contrary, there is higher possibility that the ancient 'Chinese jinseng' is totally different plant from 'Panax ginseng C. A. Mey', which is actually Codonopsis pilosula. When examining the shape and production areas of Codonopsis pilosula, it is closely matched with many parts of ancient 'Chinese jinseng' texts. In short, it is presumed that the 'Chinese jinseng' did indeed exist in ancient China but it was Codonopsis pilosula instead of 'Panax ginseng C. A. Mey'.

Actividad hepatoprotectora del "ERGOPANIN" MELITO / Hepatoprotective activity of \"ERGOPANIN\" MELITO

Se ensaya farmacológicamente la actividad hepatoprotectora del "ergopanin" melito en un modelo experimental de hepatoxicidad por tetracloruro de carbono (C14C) con administración intra peritoneal (IP) y a la dosis de 0,5 ml/kg, 2 veces por semana, durante 3 semanas. La actividad hepatoprotectora se evalúa mediante valores de transaminasas (pivúrica y oxalacética) y examen histológico a la segunda y tercera semanas de administrado el C14C. Se encuentra que el preparado "ergopanin" en dosis de 10 mg/kg reduce a valores normales las concentraciones de ambas transaminasas a la segunda y tercera semanas de tratamiento, disminuyendo a su vez el grado de los índices histológicos medidos en el mismo período

effect of ginseng on glucose, free fatty acids and cholesterol serum levels in diabetic patients

Twenty insulin dependent and twenty non insulin dependent diabetic patients and fifteen controls were studied. Ginseng extract was administered in a dose of 85 mg. t.d.s. for forty five days. A significant decrease was observed in the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol and free fatty acids in groups of patients. It is suggested that ginseng extract contains antilipolytic and insulin like substances