ABSTRACT

Myopathy is one of the side effects of colchicine, manifested as pain, dysfunction, and weakness of muscles. Ginseng extract antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have been reported in muscular tissue. This study was conducted to investigate whether administration of ginseng ameliorates colchicine-induced skeletal muscles damage in adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (ten/group) – Group I (control group): rats received normal diet and orally given normal saline, Group II: ginseng extract was administered via oral gavage daily for one month at the doses of 300 mg/kg, Group III (Colchicine treated group): rats were given colchicine (50 μg/kg/day) via oral gavage for one month, and Group IV: concomitant administration of Ginseng and colchicine for one month. Serum creatine kinase (CK) levels were measured, and skeletal muscles specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Administration of colchicine (group III) showed elevated serum CK, and histologically myofibrillar disarray foci together with cellular infiltration and edema. Group IV showed reduction in most of those manifestations. Concomitant administration of ginseng with colchicine ameliorated most of the symptoms related to colchicine induced-myopathy.

KEY WORDS: Panax ginseng; Colchicine; Myopathy; Skeletal muscle