Synergistic potential of ginseng root extract and ginsenoside Rg1 in Mitigating Type 1 Diabetes-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Cytokines in Male Rats
Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Sciences, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Biology and Pharmacy, 2026, 17(02), 038–045.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjbp.2026.17.2.0046
Publication history:
Received on 29 June 2026; revised on 06 August 2026; accepted on 08 August 2026
Abstract:
Background & Objective: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has a close relationship with chronic oxidative stress and systemic immune dysfunction, which is usually accompanied by increased levels of lipid peroxidation parameters, for example malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased levels of endogenous antioxidants, such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT). It is also defined as having an imbalance of cytokines with high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and low levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). The purpose of this study was to investigate the synergic therapeutic effect of PGR and the main compound of PGR, Ginsenoside Rg1 for attenuating the diabetes-induced oxidative and inflammatory cascades as compared with the typical antidiabetic drug, Metformin. Experimental Design: Diabetic male rats were randomly divided into 7 experimental groups and they were treated with streptozotocin for 5 weeks: untreated diabetic control group, Metformin treated group, P. ginseng extract treated group, Ginsenoside Rg1 treated group, combined (Metformin + P. ginseng extract) group, combined (Metformin + Ginsenoside Rg1) group, and non-diabetic control group. Calorimetrically and immunologically, the serum levels of MDA, GSH, CAT, IL-6 and IL-10 were quantified before and after treatment. Results: An increase in the levels of MDA and IL-6 was seen to be significantly (P<0.05) high after the induction of T1DM and a decrease in GSH, CAT and IL-10 was seen to be significantly lower than healthy controls. The P. ginseng extract and Ginsenoside Rg1 significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the levels of MDA and IL-6, while increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and IL-10 levels when compared to the control group. Interestingly, P. ginseng extract with Ginsenoside Rg1 produced the greatest protective effect in each of the biomarker’s profile compared to individual treatments and was evident of potentiation response. Conclusions: Panax ginseng extract and Ginsenoside Rg1 have strong antioxidant and immunomodulatory abilities. Their synergic effect in reduction of oxidative damage and restoration of cytokine balance highlights their potential usefulness as adjuvants in treatment of complications in T1DM.
Keywords:
Diabetes; Oxidative Stress; Interleukins; Ginseng; Inflammatory Cytokines.
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