Pharmacological activity of Panax ginseng and Sedum roseum cell culture extracts

Abstract

The search for phytocomponents with adaptogenic activity is an important task of modern pharmacology. At the same time, an important problem for their use is the availability of raw materials, plant-to-plant variability in medicinal content, etc. An efficient and well suited solution to these problems is in vitro systems for production of medicinal plants and their extracts. Therefore, the biological activity of such in vitro-produced substances should be studied. Aim of the study: to determine in in vivo experiments the pharmacological activity of Panax ginseng and Sedum roseum cell culture extracts obtained in the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Methods. Extracts of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey and Sedum roseum (L.) Scop. cell cultures (from the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Biological Collection) were studied. Pharmacological studies were performed on white, outbred mice and rats. The studies were approved by the local Bioethical Committee. Acute toxicity was studied using the Kerber method. The effect of the cell culture extracts on the nervous system was studied using the forced swim test with weight load and open field test. Experimental studies of the adaptogenic effect of the cell culture extracts were performed in animal model of hypoxia with hypercapnia. Results. Panax ginseng and Sedum roseum cell culture extracts have low toxicity and have adaptogenic activity. Effects of both cell culture extracts in the forced swim test with weight load demonstrated increased performance efficiency and fitness. In the hypoxia-with-hypercapnia study of antihypoxic adaptogenic action, there was no negative impact on the animals’ nervous system. Conclusion. Extracts of Panax ginseng and Sedum roseum cell cultures are a promising biotechnological raw material for developing drugs to increase the body's nonspecific resistance to adverse environmental influences and stress.