Preliminary investigation on the hepatocytoprotective effect of processed vietnamese ginseng (panax vietnamensis ha et grushv)

Abstract

Heat-processed Vietnamese ginseng (VG) is reported to contained higher active ginsenoside contents reducing liver damage, however there has been no scientific evidence demonstrating the effect. This study aimed to investigate the hepatocytoprotective effect of that ginseng on the hepatotoxic-induced mice and generate its action mechanisms. 58 adult male Swiss Albino mice were divided into nine groups (n=6~7) supplemented with distilled water, tween 20 10% (10ml/kg), white VG (50 and 100mg/kg), heat-processed VG (50 and 100mg/kg) and silymarin (100mg/kg) (p.o) for 14 consecutive days, induced hepatotoxicity with CCl4 (0.025ml/kg) dissolved in olive oil (10ml/kg, i.p) or normally controlled with olive oil (10ml/kg, i.p) on day 15th. 12 structures of ginsenosides were docked in to ERK-2, AMPK and COX-2 target proteins and top five binding compounds were chosen to be modeled for feature pharmacophores. Results showed that heat-processed VG significantly reduced damage in liver; most active constituents were Majornoside-R1, Majornoside-R2 and ginsenoside Rg5, feature pharmacophores were hydrophobic interactions with LEU154, ILE29 and VAL37 residues of ERK-2, hydrophobic interactions with ALA201 and THR199 and hydrogen donor to GLN196 residue of AMPK, finally hydrogen donors to THR198 and HIS200, hydrogen acceptors from GLN275 and hydrophobic interactions with LEU394, VAL433, LEU280 and VAL277 residues of COX-2. Keywords Heat-processed Vietnamese ginseng Hepatocytoprotective effect Antioxidant activities Ginsenosides