Effects of Korean ginseng root extract on cisplatin-induced emesis in a rat-pica model

In the present study, we investigate the effect of Korean ginseng root extract (KG) on cisplatin-induced pica in a rat model. Rats were treated with KG before (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) or after (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (7 and 6 mg/kg, respectively). We examined intake of kaolin and normal food as an indicator of the emetic stimulus every 24 h for 120 h. Changes in body weight, haematology and histopathology were additionally assessed. Pre-treatment with KG (25 and 50 mg/kg) significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced kaolin intake (24, 48, and 72 h) and markedly improved intake of normal food by rats at 48, 72, 96, and 120 h. Cisplatin-induced kaolin intake was markedly decreased upon post-treatment of rats with KG (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) at 24 h. Notably, post-treatment with the lowest KG dose resulted in a significant anti-pica effect and improved food intake until 72 h. The magnitude of body weight reduction was significantly diminished in rats pre-treated/post-treated with 25, 50, and 12.5 mg/kg KG. The anti-pica effects of KG were further confirmed with haematological and histopathological findings. Our findings collectively indicate that KG improves the resistance of rats against emesis.