Fludarabine, a chain terminating anti-cancer drug, is a purine analogue that causes DNA strand breaks in normal cells. In this study, we determined if A. melanocarpa and Korean red ginseng extract mixture reduce cytotoxicity of fludarabine. Treatment of HaCaT cells with 10 μM of fludarabine for 24 hours decreased cell viability and increased DNA strand breaks. Treatment of A. melanocarpa and Korean red ginseng extract mixture for 24 hours increased cell viability as compared with single extract treatment. The protective effect of these extracts on cell activity increased in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA strand breaks induced by fludarabine decreased as concentration of extract mixture increased. p-H2AX level, a marker of DNA strand breakage, decreased depending on the concentration of extract mixture. The effect of mixed extract of A. melanocarpa and Korean red ginseng on DNA damage is due to the anti-oxidative effect of A. melanocarpa and signal transmission through glucocorticoid receptor upon binding of saponin of Korean red ginseng.

• 김민섭(원광대학교 생명과학부 기초자연과학연구소) | Min Seob Kim
• 정유헌(원광대학교 생명과학부 기초자연과학연구소) | You Heon Chung
• 오홍근((주)휴벳) | Hong Geun Oh
• 박종군(원광대학교 생명과학부 기초자연과학연구소) | Jong Kun Park Corresponding author