Background: Myopathy is a side effect long term use of glucocorticoid. Ginseng extract has an antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities that have been reported in the muscular tissue.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether the administration of ginseng ameliorates glucocorticoid-induced skeletal muscles damage in male albino rats.
Materials and methods: Forty male rats were randomly divided into four groups (10/group).  Group I (Control group): Rats received normal diet and saline, Group II: (Dexa group). Rats given dexamethasone, 0.5mg/kg for one month, Group III (Ginseng group): Ginseng extract was administered daily for one month, 300 mg/kg, Group IV (Treated group): Ginseng was administered for 14 days after giving dexamethasone for another 16 days. Body weight at different time points was measured and skeletal muscles specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic (EM) examination and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessment by apoptotic marker, Caspase 3 and CD105 as homing stem cell markers.
Results: Dexa group showed decrease in body weight, histologically myofibrillar degeneration, increased connective tissue infiltration, decreased cross-sectional area, strong positive reaction with Caspase 3 and mild positive reaction with CD105. Treated group showed regeneration of muscle fibers, increased cross-sectional area (p<0.001), and decreased reaction with Caspase 3 and increased with CD105. Assessment of area percentage of their immunostaining of caspase 3 was significantly increased in dexa group and decreased in treated group (p<0.001) while CD105 was significantly increased in treated group compared to dexa group.
Conclusion: Ginseng extract improved myopathic manifestations caused by dexamethasone.