Effect of ginsenoside-Rd in cephaloridine-induced renal disorder

To determine whether ginsenoside-Rd ameliorates the renal injury induced by cephaloridine, the effect of cephaloridine was investigated in rats given ginsenoside-Rd preceding cephaloridine administration and in control rats g iven no ginsenoside-Rd. In control rats, blood, renal and urinary parameter s and the activities of antioxidative enzymes in renal tissue deviated from the normal range, indicating dysfunction of the kidneys. In contrast, when ginsenoside-Rd was given orally for 30 consecutive days prior to cephalori dine injection, the activities of the antioxidation enzymes superoxide dism utase and catalase were higher, while malondialdehyde levels in serum and r enal tissue were lower in the treated rats than in the controls. The urea n itrogen and creatinine levels in serum were decreased in rats given ginseno side-Rd. Decreased urine volume, increased urinary osmotic pressure, and de creased urinary levels of glucose, protein, sodium and potassium demonstrat ed a protective action against the renal dysfunction caused by cephaloridin e. In addition, it was demonstrated that ginsenoside-Rd affected cultured p roximal tubule cells exposed to cephaloridine.