Effect of Ginseng on Calretinin Expression in Mouse Hippocampus Following Exposure to 835 MHz Radiofrequency.
← Research streamAfter 835 MHz EMF exposure (SAR 1.6 W/kg; 5 h/day for 5 days), the EMF-exposed NaCl group showed decreased calretinin immunoreactivity with loss of CA1/CA3 interneurons and infragranular cells. These losses were not observed in EMF-exposed groups treated with…
Study snapshot
Abstract
Exponential rise in the use of mobile communication devices has generated health concerns due to radiofrequency (RF) exposure due to its close proximity to the head. Calcium binding proteins like calretinin regulate the levels of calcium (Ca(2+)) which plays an important role in biological systems. Ginseng is known for maintaining equilibrium in the human body and may play a beneficial radioprotectant role against electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. In the present study, we evaluated the radioprotective effects of red ginseng (RG) extract in a mouse model. Calretinin (CR) expression was measured using a free-floating immunohistochemical method in the hippocampus of mice after 835 MHz EMF exposure for 5 h/d for 5 d at specific absorption rate=1.6 W/kg for the different experimental groups. The control animals were treated with NaCl while the experimental animals received 10 mg/kg ginseng, or 30 mg/kg; EMF exposed mice were also treated with NaCl, 10 mg/kg ginseng (E10), or 30 mg/kg (E30). Decreases in CR immunoreactivity (IR) along with loss of CA1 and CA3 interneurons and infragranular cells were observed in the ENaCl group while such losses were not observed in the E10 and E30 groups. CR IR significantly increased in the RG-treated group compared to control and EMF-exposed groups treated with NaCl. The study demonstrates that RG extract can serve as a radioprotective agent that maintains Ca(2+) homeostasis and prevents neuronal loss in the brain hippocampal region caused by RF exposure.
AI evidence extraction
Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.
Main findings
After 835 MHz EMF exposure (SAR 1.6 W/kg; 5 h/day for 5 days), the EMF-exposed NaCl group showed decreased calretinin immunoreactivity with loss of CA1/CA3 interneurons and infragranular cells. These losses were not observed in EMF-exposed groups treated with red ginseng extract (10 or 30 mg/kg), and CR immunoreactivity increased in red ginseng-treated mice compared with control and EMF-exposed NaCl-treated mice.
Outcomes measured
- Calretinin (CR) expression / immunoreactivity in hippocampus
- Loss of CA1 and CA3 interneurons
- Loss of infragranular cells (neuronal loss in hippocampal region)
Limitations
- Sample size not reported in the abstract
- Outcome measures are immunohistochemical/biomarker and cell-loss observations rather than clinical/behavioral endpoints
- Animal model; generalizability to humans not established in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
"study_type": "animal",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "mobile phone",
"frequency_mhz": 835,
"sar_wkg": 1.6,
"duration": "5 h/d for 5 d"
},
"population": "Mice (mouse model)",
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Calretinin (CR) expression / immunoreactivity in hippocampus",
"Loss of CA1 and CA3 interneurons",
"Loss of infragranular cells (neuronal loss in hippocampal region)"
],
"main_findings": "After 835 MHz EMF exposure (SAR 1.6 W/kg; 5 h/day for 5 days), the EMF-exposed NaCl group showed decreased calretinin immunoreactivity with loss of CA1/CA3 interneurons and infragranular cells. These losses were not observed in EMF-exposed groups treated with red ginseng extract (10 or 30 mg/kg), and CR immunoreactivity increased in red ginseng-treated mice compared with control and EMF-exposed NaCl-treated mice.",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Sample size not reported in the abstract",
"Outcome measures are immunohistochemical/biomarker and cell-loss observations rather than clinical/behavioral endpoints",
"Animal model; generalizability to humans not established in the abstract"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.78,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"keywords": [
"835 MHz",
"radiofrequency",
"EMF",
"SAR 1.6 W/kg",
"mouse",
"hippocampus",
"calretinin",
"immunohistochemistry",
"red ginseng",
"radioprotective"
],
"suggested_hubs": []
}AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.
Identifiers and source
DOI: 10.5142/jgr.2011.35.2.138
PubMed: 23717055
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