Effect of the aqueous extract of Panax ginseng on the histomorphometric properties of the liver and some serum biochemical parameters of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

  Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) root as a traditional herbal medicine, has biological capabilities e.g. antioxidative and detoxification, although there is little data about its probable effects on the liver structure particularly in the aquatic organisms. So, the present study was aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of aqueous extract of P. Ginseng root on the hepatic histomorphometric properies (the area of the hepatocytes and nuclei, perimeter of hepatocytes, percentage area of the hepatocytes, nuclei and hepatic sinusoids, number of küppfer cells/unit area) and some serum biochemical parameters of Rainbow trout. Study carried out during 60 days within 4 experiments, each with 3 replicates. In each replication 60pcs of fry with average weight of 15gr. were randomly distributed. Experiments were fed with aqueous extract of P. Ginseng at 100, 150 & 200 gr./kg. diet. Hepatic tissue and blood samples were taken at the end of the study. The results showed that different levels of Ginseng had no significant effect on the histomorphometric parameters of hepatic parenchyma (P>0.05). Serum levels of Cholesterol. Albumin and Total protein decrease significantly in the Ginseng treated fishes (P<0.05) in comparison to control group. There was no significant difference between AST, ALP, and ALT with control (P>0.05). Total serum LDH in groups II and III showed a statistical significant increase with control (P<0.05). These findings showed that addition of Ginseng extract in concentrations up to 0.2% diet in rainbow trout fry feeding, can be considered as a probable growth promoter without negative effects on the hepatic structure.