Antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of Panax ginseng

The present study was conducted to investigate the biochemical and immunomodulatory effects of Panax ginseng (Araliaceae) roots on diabetic, obese and obese diabetic rats. In this regard, 120 rats were divided into eight groups; control, normal treated, diabetic, treated diabetic, obese, treated obese, obese diabetic and treated obese diabetic groups. Blood glucose, serum IL-6 and TNF-α level showed highly significant increase (P<0.005) in diabetic, obese and obese-diabetic groups (non-treated groups) as compared with the control group. These values showed highly significant decrease after treatment (22.5mg/kg b.w. orally/day) with Ginseng extract (P<0.005). Plasma insulin level showed highly significant increases (P<0.005) in both obese and obese-diabetic groups while in the diabetic group it showed a highly significant decrease (P<0.005) as compared with the control group. On the contrary, both of the treated obese and treated obese-diabetic groups showed significant decreases in plasma insulin level, (P<0.05) while the treated diabetic group showed a highly significant increase (P<0.005) as compared with non-treated groups. Serum triglyceride-Total cholesterol -LDL-cholesterol level increased highly significantly (P<0.005) in non-treated groups as compared with the control group while it decreased highly significantly in treated groups as compared with non-treated groups, but HDL-cholesterol level showed highly significant decreases in non-treated groups as compared with the control groups and showed highly significant increases (P<0.005) in the treated groups toward normal value as compared with non-treated groups. GST, GSH, SOD and GSH-PX activity in both liver and kidney tissue showed significant decreases (P<0.05) in non-treated groups as compared with the control group. These results showed significant increases in both of treated diabetic and treated obese-diabetic groups and a non-significant increase in the treated obese group as compared with non-treated groups. MDA (malondialdehyde) levels showed highly significant increase (P<0.005) in the diabetic and obese diabetic groups. After treatment with ginseng significant decreases in MDA levels were observed. In conclusion, Panax ginseng has antidiabetic and antioxidant properties