Vinblastine, an oncolytic agent isolated from the plant Catharantus :roseus G. Don(Vinca rosea Linn.) of the family Apocynaceae, is now used commonly in clinical cancer therapy. But it has some adverse effects, which include depression of bone marrow, impairments of renal and hepatic function as well as congenital malformation of the fetus.
In this investigation, the mixture of ginseng extract-vinblastine was administered intravenously to rabbits to compare the effects on the liver fnnction with those of liver function injected vinblastine alone. Experiments were done in three groups: one day group where vinblastine (0.3mg/kg) and ginseng extract(80mg/kg) were given in a single dose, 5 days group where vinblastine (0.05mg/kg with daily increase of 0.05mg/kg) and ginseng extract (10mg/kg with daily increase of 10mg/kg) were given for 5 days, and 15 days group in that the way of 5 days group were repeated with 5 days resting interval.
The results were summarized as follows:
1. Plasma concentrations of albumin and globulin after administration of vinblastine alone showed much lower value than those of control, and the values of albumin and globulin after administeration of ginseng extract-vinblastine showed higher value, nearly to control.
2. Plasma levels of GOT and GPT after administration of vinblastine alone were significantly elevated compare to those of control, but the value after administration of ginseng extract as well showed lower ones which were nearly as control.
3. Plasma concentrations of B. S. P. retended after administration of vinblastine alone showed much higher value than those of control, but the value was not significantly different when ginseng extract was added.
4. Plasma bilirubin level showed higher value with the administration of vinblastine alone, but as ginseng extract was added, the value was not significantly different from that of control.
5. Plasma concentration of cholesterol after administration of vinblastine alone showed much higher value than that of control, but as ginseng extract was given together with vinblastine, it showed as nearly low as control.
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