Comparative study of Various Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture - By measuring the increase of life span of mice and Expression of cytokine mRNA -

  • Kwon, Ki-Rok (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Sangji University) ;
  • Kim, Byung-Woo (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Sangji University)
  • Published : 2005.04.20

Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate anti-cancer effects of various ginseng herbal acupuncture in mice and expression of cytokine mRNA. Methods: Anti-cancer effects of various ginseng herbal acupuncture were tested by measuring the increase of life span of mice suffering from peritoneal cancer induced by Sarcoma-180, and expression of mRNA manifestation using RT-PCR. The results are as follows: Results: 1. Increase of life span of mice suffering from peritoneal cancer induced by Sarcoma-180 was measured for anti-cancer effects. As a result, 115% increase was shown in the cultivated wild ginseng group, 11.1% increase in the red ginseng group, and no increase was detected in either white ginseng and fresh ginseng groups. 2. Measuring the expression of cytokine mRNA manifestation, expression of $interferon-{\gamma}$ was slightly increased in the cultivated wild ginseng group compared to the control group, but manifestation of interleukin-10 was slightly decreased. 3. For the red ginseng, white ginseng, and fresh ginseng experiment groups II, IL-2, IL-4, $INF-{\gamma}$, and IL -10 all showed increase suggesting possible error occurring during the test process. Conclusion: From the results obtained in this study, we can reason that the ginseng we use may not match the ginseng cited in the texts of the past. Anti-cancer effects of cultivated wild ginseng can be more potent than those of white and fresh ginseng.

Keywords