Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, induces toxicity in cells and in experimental animals. Ginseng extracts were evaluated to determine whether they can inhibit BPA-induced toxicity. The antioxidant activity of fresh ginseng extract (WGE), dried white ginseng extract (DGE), and dried red ginseng extract (RGE) was measured using the DPPH assay. WGE and RGE increased DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Cell viability was measured in HepG2 cells following treatment with BPA and ginseng extracts using the MTT assay. DGE and RGE increased HepG2 cell viability following treatment with 200 μM BPA. RGE reduced levels of biochemical markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) that increased in mice following treatment with BPA. In addition, the regeneration and proliferation of damaged liver cells were significantly increased in RGE-treated mice. Moreover, RGE inhibited hepatic fibrosis in the surrounding area and in the central vein of the liver microstructure. RGE also significantly inhibited BPA-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, RGE protected liver damage and regenerated liver tissues in BPA-treated animals. These results show that RGE may represent a potential candidate drug for the treatment and prevention of liver damage caused by environmental toxins.

인삼, 목과 혼합추출액이 βA로 유도된 AD 병태 모델에 미치는 영향을 관찰한 결과, 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 인삼, 목과 혼합추출액은 AD 병변 뇌조직의 허혈(虛血) 상태를 유의성 있게 개선하였고 허혈(虛血)로 인한 뇌조직 손상을 억제하였다. 2. 인삼, 목과 혼합추출액은 AD 병변 뇌조직의 면역조직화학 염색법으로 Tau 단백질, GFAP 단백질, presenilin 1/presenilin 2 단백질의 발현 억제를 확인하였다. 이상의 결과로 미루어 보아 인삼, 목과 추출액은 AD의 예방과 치료에 사용될 수 있을 것으로 판단되며 정확한 기전에 대한 연구와 AD 치료에 있어서 인삼, 목과 혼합추출액의 임상적 활용에 대한 연구가 향후 지속적으로 이루어져야 할 것으로 사료된다.