Protection by Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer against the genotoxicity of doxorubicin in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Panax ginseng is one of the most widely prescribed herbal medicines for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, chronic inflammation, and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Since the use of alternative medicines in combination with conventional therapy may increase the risk of unwanted interactions, we investigated the possible genotoxicity of a water-soluble form of the dry root of P. ginseng (2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/mL) and its ability to protect against the genotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX; 0.125 mg/mL) by using the Drosophila melanogaster wing somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) with standard and high-bioactivation crosses of flies. Panax ginseng was not genotoxic at the concentrations tested, whereas DOX-induced genotoxicity in marker-heterozygous flies resulted mainly from mitotic recombination. At low concentrations, P. ginseng had antirecombinogenic activity that was independent of the concentration of extract used. Recombination events may promote cancer, but little is known about the ability of P. ginseng to inhibit such recombination or modulate DNA repair mechanisms.

Modulatory effect of Byrsonima verbascifolia (Malpighiaceae) against damage induced by doxorubicin in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster

“…Although radiotherapy and chemotherapy are aimed at destroying cancer cells, they can also affect healthy cells (Pereira et al, 2008).…”

Modulatory effect of Palicourea coriacea (Rubiaceae) against damage induced by doxorubicin in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster

“…In Brazil, many people use traditional natural preparations derived from plant materials for the treatment of various diseases (Lima et al, 2006); however, in many cases there is still limited scientific evidence of their therapeutic efficacy (Pereira et al, 2008). Therefore, it is very necessary to assess the mutagenic potential or modulating activity of plant extracts when combined with other substances (Siddique et al, 2008).…”

Mutagenic biomonitoring of pirethroid insecticides in human lymphocyte cultures: Use of micronuclei as biomarkers and recovery byRosa caninaextracts of mutagenic effects

“…and Mey (Boraginaceae) decreased the genotoxic effects of EMS. It has been reported that an extract of Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer (Araliaceae) has an antirecombinogenic effect in D. melanogaster (Pereira et al, 2008). Agrawal and Pandey (2009) determined that a plant extract of Bauhinia variegata L. (Fabaceae) reduced the MN frequency in mice and showed an anti-mutagenic effect.…”