• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.297-302
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• 1990

The effects of ginseng saponin on the activity of serum alanine aminoiransferase (ALT) in trained rats were examined. The trained group was given a chronic swimming bout (approx. 90 min/day) for 50 days, and ginseng group was given an oral administration of ginseng saponin (150mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Ginseng treated-trained group was given an oral administration of ginseng saponin for 2 weeks prior to the termination of a swimming bout. In this experiment, male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain (250 $\pm$ 20 g) were used. The activities of serum ALT in trained and in ginseng groups increased 72.89% (P < 0.01) and 57.14% (P < 0.01) than in control groups, respectively. Also, the activities of serum ALT increased 69.66% (P <0.01) in saline treated-trained group, and 79.31% (P < 0.01) in ginseng treated-trained group than in control groups which were given saline solution and kept sedentary. The effect of ginseng saponin, as revealed by comparing the ginseng treated-trained group with the saline treated-trained group, was not significant. The present study suggests that training and ginseng saponin significantly increased the activity of serum ALT in rats, but that, in ginseng treated-trained group, ginseng saponin did not raise any further the increased activity of serum ALT by training.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.235-250
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• 2006

A protective effect of activated charcoal against the acute lead poisoning of kidney was studied in mile. Mice approximately 30 gm in weight were grouped into the control, lead acetate-treated, and activated charcoal-treated after lead acetate groups. Lead acetate (60 mg/kg) and activated charcoal (40mg/kg) were delivered orally. Serum AST, ALT and glucose were measured and the ultrastructural alteration of liver was examined by electron microscopy. Activated charcoal decreased the increase of serum AST, ALT and glucose levels induced by lead. Lead acetate-treated hepatic cells characterized by irregular nuclei, enlarged and reduced number of mitochodria, enlarged rough endoplasmic reticulum, loss of riboscomes. Cells treated with activated charcoal were similar to those of the control group. In conclusion, activated charcoal may protect the lead-induced toxicity on liver.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

Dandelion has been frequently used as a remedy for women's disease, inflammatory diseases and disorders of the liver and gallbladder. Dandelion extracts water extract, an herbal medication, may have an effect on the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rat. This study aims demonstrate the effect of dandelion extracts, one of the natural chelator, on the biochemical and enzyme activity changes in the mouse liver caused by $HgCl_2$. Mice approximately 30 gm in weight were grouped into the control, mercury chloride-treated, and the dandelion extracts-treated after mercury chloride groups. $HgCl_2$ (5 mg/kg) and dandelion extracts (3 g/kg) were delivered orally. Serum AST and ALT were measured, enzyme activity of liver were examined by spectrophotometer and ultrastructural alteration of liver were examined by light and electron microscopy. Dandelion extracts were decreased the increase of serum AST and ALT level induced by mercury. The catalase activity was decreased in the dandelion extracts group. The activity of SOD was dereased, but did not show significant differences. Mercury chloride-treated hepatic cell were irregular nucleus, enlarged and reduced number of mitochodria, enlarged rough endoplasmic reticulum, loss of ribosomes. Cells treated with dandelion extracts were similar to those of the control group. In conclusion, dandelion extracts may protect the mercury-induced toxicity on Liver.