본 연구는 랫드에서 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo--dioxin (TCDD)로 유도된 급성독성에 대한 홍삼유출액으로부터 분리한 조사포닌의 방어효과를 조사하기 위해 수행되었다. 40마리의 웅성 랫드를 4군으로 나누어 정상군에 대해서는 TCDD의 운반체를, TCDD 단독투여군 (TT)에게는 TCDD($5{mu}g/ml$)와 생리식염수를 1회 복강주사하였다. 한편, 조사포닌 투여군 (RGE-CS20, RGE-CS40)은 조사포닌을 각각 20 및 40 mg/kg,b.w/day의 용량으로 TCDD 투여 1주 전부터 총 4 주간 복강주사하였다. TCDD 단독투여군의 체중은 TCDD투여 1주째부터 유의하게 감소한 반면, 조사포닌 투여군은 TCDD 단독투여군에 비해 완만하기는 하지만 유의하게 증가하여 체중감소가 억제되었다. 조사포닌 투여군은 TCDD독성에 의해 증가한 TG, TC, LDL, AST ALT, $Fe^{2+}$ 함량은 감소시켰고, TCDD 독성에 의해 감소된 glucose, amylase, LDH, CK 활성을 증가시켜 혈액 임상화학지수를 유의하게 개선시키는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과로부터 홍삼유출액으로부터 분리한 조사포닌은 TCDD에 의해 주도된 체중감소와 장기 기능저하에 대해서 현저한 방어효과를 나타낸다는 사실을 알 수 있었다.
This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of crude saponin from red ginseng efflux (RGE-CS) on biochemical parameters in male rats acutely exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-$ ho$-dioxin (TCDD). Forty male rats ($200{pm}20g$) were divided into 4 groups. Normal control group (NC) received vehicle and saline; only TCDD-treated group (TT) received TCDD ($5{mu}g/kg$, single dose) intrperitoneally; RGE-CS 20 received 20 mg/kg of crude saponin i.p. for 4 weeks from 1 week before TCDD-exposure; RGE-CS 40 also received 40 mg/kg of crude saponin i.p. for 4 weeks from 1 week before TCDD-exposure. Body weight of TT group was significantly decreased after TCDD-exposure. However, body weight of crude saponin groups increased throughout the experimental period, although the increasing rate was slower than that of NC group. Decrease in body weight was not observed during the experimental period in RGE-CS 40. Increases in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), AST, ALT and $Fe^{2+}$ levels by TCDD intoxication were significantly attenuated by the RGE-CS treatment. Decrease in glucose, amylase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine kinase (CK) by TCDD also were inhibited by the RGE-CS. These results suggest that saponin from red-ginseng efflux might be a useful protective agent against TCDD, an endocrine disrupter.
