Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1999 Dec;42(12):1497-1500.

Effect of Panax Ginseng Saponin on Salicylate Ototoxicity in Guinea Pigs

• Chang JW
• Sin GC
• Lee OY
• Nam BH
• Park CI

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Large doses or long-term use of salicylate may cause reversible tinnitus and hearing loss. The exact cause of salicylate ototoxicity in unknown. Decreased cochlear blood flow following reversible biochemical changes in the cochlea seems to play an important role in salicylate ototoxicity. Protopanaxatriol and protopanaxadiol saponin of the Panax ginseng are known to have a vasodilatory effect. We investigated the effect of Panax ginseng saponin on salicylate induced hearing loss in guinea pigs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Guinea pigs were divided into two groups. The control group was injected with salicylate (300 mg/kg, IM) and the experimental group was pretreated with Panax ginseng saponin (100 mg/kg, IP) before salicylate injection. ABR threshold was measured hourly after salicylate injection.
RESULTS
The control group showed a maximal hearing loss (20+/-3.54 dBnHL) in 3 hours after the salicylate injection. Comparing with the control group, the experimental group revealed a significantly different maximal hearing loss (5+/-3.54 dBnHL).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that the protopanaxatriol and protopanaxadiol saponin of the Panax ginseng can attenuate salicylate induced hearing loss.

Keyword

Salicylate; Ototoxicity; Saponin

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cochlea
Guinea Pigs*
Guinea*
Hearing Loss
Panax*
Saponins*
Tinnitus
Saponins