Korean red ginseng prevents gentamicin-induced hearing loss in rats.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the preventive effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on gentamicin (GM)-induced ototoxicity and to identify the effective components of KRG.

STUDY DESIGN

In vivo and in vitro studies.

METHODS

Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The GM group (n = 15) received intraperitoneal injections (IPI) of GM (160 mg/kg) for 5 days. The KRG + GM group (n = 12) was treated with intragastric feeding of KRG (500 mg/kg) for 12 days with 5 days of IPIs of GM. KRG (n = 4) and control (n = 4) groups were treated with KRG and saline, respectively. Auditory brainstem response (16 or 32 kHz) and Rotarod treadmill tests were done before and after treatments. Cochleas were evaluated by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and phalloidin staining. Ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rg1, and Re were evaluated as the water-soluble terazolium salt assay, annexin V/propidium iodide assay, and Western blots in HEI-OC1 cells.

RESULTS

Posttreatment hearing thresholds in GM, KRG + GM, KRG, and control groups were: 27.7 ± 7.2 dB, 23.1 ± 4.1 dB, 16.9 ± 2.6 dB, and 21.3 ± 3.5 dB, respectively, for 16 kHz, 30.5 ± 6.6 dB, 25.2 ± 4.3 dB, 22.5 ± 2.7 dB, and 22.5 ± 3.8 dB, respectively for 32 kHz. The KRG + GM group had significantly better hearing than the GM group (P < .05). On SEM and phalloidin staining, the GM group showed severe loss of stereocilia in the basal outer hair cells and a few losses in the middle turns, whereas the KRG + GM group showed relatively intact hair cells. Balance impairment in treadmill tests was not definite in any group. Rb1 and Rb2 showed more effective protection than other components.

CONCLUSIONS

KRG protects against GM-induced hearing loss and hair cell death in rats. Laryngoscope, 2011.