Effect of ginseng supplementation on nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in sedentary and physically active subjects

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ginseng application on plasma nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in sedentary and active subjects. Twenty eight healthy males (age: 22.7 +/- 1 years, weight: 71.5 +/- 8 kg) volunteered as subjects. Thirteen active subjects were divided into two groups as; exercise (E) and ginseng supported exercise (GE). Thirteen sedentary subjects were separated into two groups as; sedentary (S) and ginseng supported sedentary (GS). E and GE groups performed the 20 meters shuttle running test regularly for exhaustive exercise during 5 days per week along to 6 weeks. Also, the GS and GE groups were orally given 500 mg/kg ginseng tablets in twice a day for 6 weeks. The blood samples were taken before and after 6-week period. Plasma NO, MDA, GSH, GSHpx, CAT and SOD levels were determined by the calorimetrical methods. The plasma NO was higher and the plasma GSH and GSHpx were lower values in the exercise group than the group S (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the plasma NO, GSH and GSHpx among the S, GS and GE groups (p > 0.05). It was found to be lower amounts of the plasma SOD in the groups E and GE, when compared to GS group (p < 0.05). It was thought that ginseng might be an affective agent in restoration of the certain changed parameters due to exercise.