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Earlier studies have demonstrated that chromium (Cr) Ⅵ compounds have been shown to be more toxic and carcinogenic than other chromium compounds. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of red ginseng against chromium Ⅵ-induced toxicity and free radical generation. Sixty adult male rats were divided into six equal groups include: control group, group received Cr Ⅵ alone (50 ㎎/㎏ b.w.), group treated with Korean ginseng (K. ginseng) alone (20 ㎎/㎏ b.w), group treated with Cr Ⅵ for 15 days then received K. ginseng for other 15 days, group treated with Cr Ⅵ and K. ginseng at the same time for 15 days, and group treated with K. ginseng for 15 days then Cr Ⅵ for other 15 days. The results revealed that Cr Ⅵ caused significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP, G-GT, urea, creatinine, and acid phosphatase. Whereas, it caused significant decrease in TP, albumin, testosterone, GPX, and SOD indicating a stress for liver, kidney and testes. K. ginseng alone caused significant increase in GPX and SOD activities in healthy animals and this result suggests a prophylactic role for this herb in protection against the damaging impact induced by free radical species. Furthermore, the other biochemical parameters measured after K. ginseng administration were comparable to the control values. Treatment with Cr Ⅵ followed by K. ginseng, Cr Ⅵ and K. ginseng or K. ginseng followed by Cr Ⅵ resulted in significant improvement in all tested parameters towards the normal values of the controls. However, this improvement was pronounced in the group pre-treated with K. ginseng for 15 days before Cr Ⅵ administration. It could be concluded that K. ginseng exhibited a protective action against the toxic effects of Cr Ⅵ and it had the ability to scavenge free radicals resulted from Cr Ⅵ intoxication.
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