POTENTIAL AMELORATIVE EFFECT OF PANAX GINSENG ON HEPATORENAL DAMAGE OCUURED IN HYDROXUREA-TREATED RATS

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an anti-neoplastic drug which is used for treatment of many types of tumors; however, its wide range of deleterious effects may limit its medical usage. This study was conducted to assess the possible protective role of Panax ginseng extract (Ginseng) against HU- induced hepato-renal damage in rats. Forty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (10 rats each). Group I (control) received 1ml purified water. Group II (Ginseng-treated) received 200 mg/kg body weight (b.wt) of Panax ginseng extract. Group III (HU-treated) received HU at a dose of 500 mg/ kg b.wt. Group IV (HU plus ginseng) received HU and Panax ginseng extract in similar doses of group II and III. All the treatments were administrated orally. Treatment with Panax ginseng failed to ameliorate the hematological alterations caused by HU, but, its ability to alleviate hepato-renal cytotoxic effect was proved through significant reduction in plasma level of hepato-renal injury biomarkers (AST, ALT, GGT, urea and creatinine) which were elevated in HU-treated group. Also, this effect was affirmed by decreased level of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and enhanced anti-oxidant state (decreased MDA content and increased GPX activity) of hepato-renal tissues upon Panax ginseng extract administration with HU. Histopathologically, HU induced impairments in both hepatic and renal tissues of the treated rats. Conversely, concurrent administration of ginseng with HU partially improved these alterations. Key words : hydroxyurea; hepato-renal toxicity; Panax ginseng; rats