Black ginseng inhibits ethanol-induced teratogenesis in cultured mouse embryos through its effects on antioxidant activity.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by excessive ethanol consumption during pregnancy. We investigated the effect of black ginseng (red ginseng that is subjected to 9 cycles of 95-100 degrees C for 2-3h) on ethanol-induced teratogenesis using an in vitro whole embryo culture system. Postimplantational mouse embryos at embryonic day 8.5 were exposed to ethanol (1 microl/ml) in the presence or absence of black ginseng (1, 10, and 100 microg/ml) for 2 days, and then morphological scoring and real-time PCR analysis were carried out. In ethanol-treated embryos, the total morphological score and individual scores for flexion, heart, fore-, mid-, and hindbrains, otic, optic, and olfactory systems, branchial bars, maxillary and mandibular processes, caudal neural tube, and somites were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). Treatment with black ginseng improved most of the morphological scores significantly as compared to ethanol-treated embryos (p<0.05). The mRNA levels of the antioxidant enzymes cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx, and selenoprotein P were significantly decreased in ethanol-treated embryos, but co-treatment with black ginseng restored the mRNA levels to those of control embryos. These results indicate that black ginseng has a protective effect on ethanol-induced teratogenesis through the augmentation of antioxidative activity in embryos.

Spatiotemporal expression of the selenoprotein P gene in postimplantational mouse embryos.

Selenoprotein P (Sepp) is an extracellular glycoprotein which functions principally as a selenium (Se) transporter and antioxidant. In order to assess the spatiotemporal expression of the Sepp gene during mouse embryogenesis, quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses were conducted in embryos and extraembryonic tissues, including placenta. Sepp mRNA expression was detected in all embryos and extraembryonic tissues on embryonic days (E) 7.5 to 18.5. Sepp mRNA levels were high in extraembryonic tissues, as compared to embryos, on E 7.5-13.5. However, the levels were higher in embryos than in extraembryonic tissues on E 14.5-15.5, but were similar in both tissues during the subsequent periods prior to birth. According to the results of in situ hybridization, Sepp mRNA was expressed principally in the ectoplacental cone and neural ectoderm, including the neural tubes and neural folds. In whole embryos, Sepp mRNA was expressed abundantly in nervous tissues on E 9.5-12.5. Sepp mRNA was also expressed in forelimb and hindlimb buds on E 10.5-12.5. In the sectioned embryos, on E 13.5-18.5, Sepp mRNA was expressed persistently in the developing limbs, gastrointestinal tract, nervous tissue, lung, kidney and liver. On E 16.5-18.5, Sepp mRNA expression in the submandibular gland, whisker follicles, pancreas, urinary bladder and skin was apparent. In particular, Sepp mRNA was detected abundantly in blood cells during all the observed developmental periods. These results show that Sepp may function as a transporter of selenium, as well as an antioxidant, during embryogenesis.