Abstract
The root extract of Panax ginseng was investigated for its inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis, mutagenicity, and cellular
transformation using V79 and NIH 3T3 cells. DNA synthesis measured by the [3
H]-thymidine incorporation into V79 Chinese hamster lung cells was significantly decreased
by the addition of ginseng extract (0-1 µg/ml) to the medium. However, ginseng extract
was found to increase the rate of DNA excision repair synthesis in V79 cells in response
to treatment with UV radiation or methyl methanesulfonate. The extract also showed
decreased mutation frequency when mutagenicity was examined using V79 cells at the
hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus as resistance to 6-thioguanine
after exposure to methyl methanesulfonate. We also found that the components of ginseng
extract continue to exert an inhibitory effect on the transformation of NIH 3T3 cells
initiated by 3-methylchloanthrene, methyl methanesulfonate, and 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine.
Key words
Panax ginseng
- mutagenesis - DNA synthesis - DNA repair synthesis
