The protective effect of Panax ginseng against chromium picolonate induced testicular changes

Chromium occurs in the environment mainly in two states, tri (Cr(III)) and hexavalent (Cr(VI)). Chromium(III) (e.g. chromium picolonate) is essential for proper insulin function and is required for normal protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and is acknowledged as a dietary supplement. In this study, we investigated the possible antioxidative properties of Panax ginseng against chromium picolonate (CrPic)-induced male reproductive toxicity at low and high doses. Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups included the control groups, P. ginseng group (200 mg/kg body weight), the groups treated with Cr-picolinate (0.8 and 1.5 mg/100 g body weight) alone or in combination with P. ginseng for 90 days. Testicular tissue and blood samples were taken for determination of epididymal sperm analysis, daily sperm production, testicular chromium, mitochondrial lipid peroxidation (LPO), hydrogen peroxide generation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), DNA fragmentation and plasma male sex hormones. The results indicated that the low and high doses of CrPic induced a significant alteration in all measured parameters. P. ginseng supplementation succeeded to restore these changes to great extent especially in low dose CrPic. It could be concluded that consumption of CrPic for a long time induced several hazards to testes. Supplementation with extra amounts of P. ginseng may be useful to restrain the CrPic induced testicular changes.   Key words: Panax ginseng, chromium picolonate, testicular changes.