Red ginseng delays age-related hearing and vestibular dysfunction in C57BL/6 mice.

Abstract

Since Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been proven to protect against

gentamicin-induced vestibular and hearing dysfunction, the effects of KRG on

age-related inner ear disorder in C57BL/6 mice were investigated. While

age-related hearing loss was detected at the age of 6months (32kHz) and 9months

(16kHz) in the control group, it was significantly delayed (p<0.05) in the

150mg/kg KRG-treated group. Vestibular dysfunction was observed in the

tail-hanging and swimming tests, with significantly different severity scores and

swimming times detected between the control and 150mg/kg KRG-treated group at the

age of 12months (p<0.05). Mice treated with 500mg/kg KRG exhibited irritability

and aggravated inner ear dysfunction. Histological observation supported the

findings of hearing and vestibular function defects. In conclusion, C57BL/6 mice

showed early-onset hearing loss and progressive vestibular dysfunction with

aging, which were delayed by treatment with 150mg/kg KRG. However, 500mg/kg KRG

treatment may induce aggressive behavior.