Modulatory Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extract (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) on Cytochrome P450 after Oral Administration to Mice for 14 Days

Abstract

Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines and health foods. Korean red ginseng (KRG; Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) extract is known to have potential therapeutic activities, such as anti-viral effects, the amelioration of food allergies, anti-oxidant effects, and obesity reduction. Nevertheless, no reports have been issued the modulatory effects of KRG extract on the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP). In the present study, we investigated the modulatory effect of KRG extract in vitro and in vivo by using pooled human liver microsomes and male ICR mice. When human liver microsomes were incubated with KRG extract at 0.01-10 mg/ml, CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A were not significantly inhibited by KRG extract, although CYP2B6 was slightly inhibited. Mice were orally administered KRG extract at 50, 250, or 500 mg/kg daily for 3, 7, or 14 days. However, the activities of CYPs in mouse livers were not significantly different from those of vehicle-treated controls. In conclusion, no significant ginseng-drug interaction was observed. KRG extract did not significantly modulate the activities of CYPs in vitro or in vivo.

Enhanced Intestinal Permeability and Plasma Concentration of Metformin in Rats by the Repeated Administration of Red Ginseng Extract

“…Previously, Jo and Lee reported no PK interaction between single oral dose RGE (0.5–2.0 g/kg) and 5 Cytochrome P450 enzymes (i.e., Cyp1a, Cyp2B, Cyp2C, Cyp2d, and Cyp3a) [42]. They also reported repeated oral dose of RGE (0.5 g/kg for 2 weeks) did not alter the metabolic activity of Cyp1a, Cyp2b, Cyp2C, Cyp2d, and Cyp3a in the liver [43]. Another study reported that oral administration of ethanol extract of ginseng (30 mg/kg for 10 days, 8.13 mg/kg ginsenosides as contents) to rats increased the mRNA levels of Cyp2d1 and Cyp3a2 in the liver [44].…”

The effect of Korean Red Ginseng on full-thickness skin wound healing in rats

“…To investigate the effects of Korean RGp on skin regeneration, the rats were orally administered 2.5 g/kg of RGp for 20 days [13].…”

Herb–Drug Interaction of Red Ginseng Extract and Ginsenoside Rc with Valsartan in Rats

“…In case of ginseng interactions, it was reported that no herb-drug interaction between single oral dose of Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) (0.5-2.0 g/kg) and the probe substrates for five cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (i.e., CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A) in mouse [12]. Repeated oral administration of RGE (0.5 g/kg for 2 weeks in mice and 85 mg total ginsenosides for 2 weeks in human) did not alter the metabolic activity of above 5 CYP enzymes in the mouse liver [13] and could not induce clinically significant interaction in human [14,15]. In a study conducted by Malati et al [16], Korean ginseng (0.5 g capsule twice daily for 28 days) induced CYP3A activity and decrease plasma concentration of midazolam following oral administration of 8 mg midazolam.…”