Ginseng extract and its constituents alleviate cisplatin toxicity and reverse cisplatin resistance

Abstract

Cisplatin (DDP) is one of most used anticancer agents. It has shown antitumor activity in testicular cancer, head and neck cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, malignant lymphoma and bladder cancer. It causes much toxicity such as skin and mucous membranes toxicity, ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity especially at higher dose, which might be involved with DNA damage and subsequently renal cell death. Ginseng is a group of cosmopolitan plants. As the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, ginseng is well known as a tonic medicine for restoring and enhancing human health. Ginseng extract contains numerous phytochemicals such as ginsenoside, phenols and acidic polysaccharides that have significant pharmacological activities. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that ginseng extract and its constituents are able to prevent cisplatin-induced toxicity through reducing the oxidative stress by restoring the antioxidant enzymes level and exerting anti-inflammatory effect. Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a principal obstacle to successful cancer chemotherapy. Because of low toxicity and diversity of effect, ginseng extract constituents have been attached more and more attention in MDR reversal. Evidences showed that ginseng extract and its constituents are promising potential for cisplatin resistance in cancer treatment.

Comment on “Efficacy of ginseng and its ingredients as adjuvants to chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer” by H. Zhu, H. Liu, J. H. Zhu, S. Y. Wang, S. S. Zhou, M. Kong, Q. Mao, F. Long, Z. J. Fang and S.-L. Li, Food Funct., 2021, 12, 2225

“…Previous studies have reported that ginseng and its ingredients such as ginsenoside metabolite could alleviate toxicity, reverse resistance, and enhanced the effects of platinum-based agents against lung cancer cells. 10,11 A systematic review with meta-analysis has also stated that ginsenoside complemented the efficacy and reduced drug-induced toxicity from chemotherapy. 12 Nevertheless, even with additional meta-analyses, the evidence remains limited and inconclusive for the efficacy of ginsenoside as an effective adjuvant for platinum-based chemotherapy of NSCLC patients.…”

Increasing the Amounts of Bioactive Components in American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) Leaves Using Far-Infrared Irradiation

“…Panax quinquefolium L., also known as American ginseng, is a perennial herb from the family Araliaceae [1]. The beneficial effects of American ginseng products, such as antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities, immunity-improving effects, and blood-sugarreducing activities, are mainly attributed to bioactive ingredients such as ginsenosides, polyphenols, and polysaccharides [2][3][4][5].…”

Non-hereditary risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer: a focus on obesity and diabetes

“…Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is a dietary supplement with a well-known immune stimulating effect, and there is a report of AHCC use maintaining remission in a breast cancer patient [15]. Ginseng extract contains numerous phytochemicals that have significant pharmacological activities, and Cai, Zhang and Huang (2019) [16] reviewed the data showing that ginseng extract and its constituents are promising candidates for cisplatin toxicity prevention and the reversal of resistance. Intermittent fasting has also been recognized as an anticancer strategy.…”