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Known since 7,000 years, particularly in Asian countries, this plant is famous for its physically, mentally and sexually revitalizing properties, being considered a primary adaptogen which helps the system to adapt to physical, chemical or biological stress. There are several plants that belong to this botanical genus or share similar therapeutic properties and carry the denomination Ginseng: Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng), American Ginseng (Panax qinquefolium), Siberian Ginseng (Acanthopanax senticosus), and Brazilian Ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata), although some other plants, wrongly, have been considered Ginseng.
It is grown only in Korea, China, Japan, and Russia and only the roots, resembling the human body, are being used. The American Ginseng is grown in the United States only and has a somewhat different sweet taste.
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Press the bottle to see a photo of this plant |
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Active Components :
The active components responsible for its medicinal effects are triterponic saponins, 25 different types of which have been identified. They have the denomination ginsenosids R (Japan) or panaxosids A-F (Russia). They also contain watersoluble polysaccharides (panaxanos A-U), essential acids (panacene, limonene, terpineol, citral) and polyacetylenes (ginsenoines A-K, panaxinol and panaxitriol). Furthermore, phytosterols like beta-sitsterol.
The principal active components - the ginsenosids - exist only in the different kinds of ginseng. The Korean panax ginseng is the one which contains major concentrations of five of these ginsenoids, while panax quinquefolium contains principally two of these 5 ginsenoids.
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| The active components responsible for its medicinal effects are triterponic saponins, 25 different types of which have been identified. They have the denomination ginsenosids R (Japan) or panaxosids A-F (Russia). They also contain watersoluble polysaccharides (panaxanos A-U), essential acids (panacene, limonene, terpineol, citral) and polyacetylenes (ginsenoines A-K, panaxinol and panaxitriol). Furthermore, phytosterols like beta-sitsterol.
The principal active components - the ginsenosids - exist only in the different kinds of ginseng. The Korean panax ginseng is the one which contains major concentrations of five of these ginsenoids, while panax quinquefolium contains principally two of these 5 ginsenoids.
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Pharmacological Action:
1) Energizing Effect:
The active components of ginseng link up with the beta-adrenergical recipients of the cell membrane, which activates the ways of transduction of the second messenger (AM Poiklic). Subsequently, the signal passes to the mitochondria to increase the activity of the malato-dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and citrate-synetase (enzymes of the aerobic glycolisis or cycle of the tricarboxylic acids). This increases the generation of ATP and that way increases the energetic levels of the patient.
The increase of aerobic glycosis leads to an increase of the glucose consumption which results in a reduction of the glycemia levels and clinical usefulness when treating diabetes mellitus.
2) Antioxidant Effects:
Antioxidant effects due to the capture of free radicals and the stimulation of the hepatic glutation peroxidase. The ginseoids Rb1 and Rg3 present a neuroprotective effect, due to an antioxidant action against an overproduction of nitric acid. This reduces the apoptosis of healthy cells, for example: it has been shown that it protects the dopaminergical neurons in Parkinson’s desease.
3) Pro-erectile Activity:
Increase of the liberation of endothelial nitric oxide due to the increase of the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthetase. The ON activates the guanlate enzyme cyclase which results in higher levels of cyclic guanosin monophosphate (cGMP) which produces muscular relaxation in the cavernous bodies of the penis, allowing the entry of blood flow. This results in a particular usefulness for the treatment of erectile dysfunctions.
4) Cardiovascular Activity:
The ginseng root has a hypotensory and hypertensive action which depends of the proportion of the different types of ginsenosids it contains, due to the fact that some show hypotensory and others hypotensive actions. These seponines act as ontogenists of calcium in the vascular tissues. Ginseng may act against the dysfunction of the vascular endothelium with patient who suffer from hypertension, possibly by an increase of the nitric oxide synthesis. The ischemia/reoxygenization (I/R in life) or the hypoxia/reoxygenization (H/R in vitro) has been observed in various diseases like myocardium attack. The protein PTK plays an important role in damages by I/R and H/R. The ginsenosids Rh1, Rd, Ra1 and Ro inhibit the effects of the activation of PTK induced by H/R in vitro. The watery extract of the panax ginseng root produces a vasodilatation in cerebral arteries as has been shown in life tests, attributed to the increase of the synthesis and liberation of nitric oxide. Furthermore, it has an antithrombotic action, in vitro and life, due o the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the fall of coagulation.
Furthermore, it improves the refractory and repolaritory ventricular periods; increases the bounds of ventricular repolarization, similar to the effects of Verapamil and Amiodarona, anti-arhythmetics used for the treatment of arrhythmia, ventricular type.
5) Hematopoietic Effects:
Significant increase of the number of splenic cells and of the bone marrow.
6) Anti-inflammatory Action:
The phytosteroids inhibit the prostaglandin synthetase, reducing the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin E, which acts in the inflammatory process.
7) Reduction of seric alcohol levels:
Improves the microsomale hepatic oxidant systems of alcohol.
8) Improves the unspecific humoral immunity:
Induces the production of interpheron and interleukins 1, 6, 8 and 12 and increases the cytotoxic activity of the antibodies. The immunomodulating activity is done by the production of nitric oxide.
The quinqueginsine is a protein which inhibits the inverse transcriptase of HIV-1 and alpha and beta glucosidases that interfere in this virus infection.
9) Improves unspecific cellular immunity:
Improving the function of lymphocytes Th1 and increasing the number of cells that form colonies of granulocytes-macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophiles.
10) Hypoglycemiant Actions:
Ginseng increases the insulin secretion due to the stimulation of the beta cells of the pancreas and regulates the formation of hepatic glucogen. Tests in vitro with Langerhans isles on rats have shown that ginseng increases the insulin liberation. In life tests with rats an increase of the number of recipients in the spinal cord has been shown and a reduction of recipients of glucocarticoids in rat brains. Furthermore, the glucose consumption increases by means of the aerobic glycosis cycle.
The ginsenosids inhibit the production of glycolsized hemoglobin, a reflex of the process of proteic glycolization which causes neuropathy and other complications of diabetes. The inhibition of the production of glycoziled hemoglobin indicates that the ginsenosids decrease the glycolization which explains the improvement observed in cases of diabetic neuropathy.
11) Citotoxic action: antitumoral effect, probably due to Rg3, Rg5 and Rh2 ginsenosides.
12) Neurostimulant Action:
Inhibition of the recapture of GABA, noradrenalin, dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin at brain level, which results in the stimulation of cognostic cerebral functions, improving the mental efficiency and the memory.
The ginseng root has a stimulating action on the central nervous system, reducing the depressing effect of some psychodrugs and other substances and increasing the transport of phenylalanine and inorganic phosphor free in the cerebral cortex. Tests in vitro have shown that the ginsenosids Rb1 and Rg1 have nerotropic and neuroprotective actions that may contribute to an improvement of cognitive functions. The improvement of cognitive functions provoked by ginsenosids are shown in life tests and can be related to the modulation of the cholinergic and serotoninergic systems. Furthermore, the ginsenosid Rb1 presents and antiamnesic effect by minimizing the inhibitive effect of peptides beta-amiloids (neurogenerative peptides by a mechanisms to suppress the cholinergic transmission). The pseudoginsenosid F11 antagonizes, in life, the dysfunction in the memory caused by scopolamine.
The ginseng root has also a depressive action on he central nervous system, as the consequence of the modulation in the neurotransmission of the ginsenosids, caused by a decrease of the availability of various neurotransmitters.
Some ginsenosids block the dopaminergic transmission stimulated by nicotine or other psychostimulants. These substances act in the presynaptic region on acetylcholine nicotinic recipients or on the recipients that depend on Na+ channels of the dopaminergic nervous terminations, but not on the ionic channels that are depending on voltage. Also, an ansiolytic life action has been proved, apart from a higher stress tolerance in mice.
The ginsenosids produce an analgesic effect, possibly by means of opiatic recipients. The intraperitoneal administration of a mixture of ginsenosids suppresses, depending on the dosage, the pain caused by the injection of capsaicin en the subregion of mice. The analgesic action can be observed also when they are administered by intrateccal and intracerebroventricular ways. However, this has not been observed after a skin administration in the region of the capsaicin administration. Therefore, the ginsenosids act at the level of the central nervous system and not at the peripherical level and they act on the sensorial system without affecting the motoric system.
Furthermore, in life, has been observed that the intraperitoneal administration of ginsenosids inhibits the hyperactivity caused by morphine and the tolerance effect observed in the postsynaptic dopaminergic recipients.
13) Increase of testosterone levels:
Produces an increase of the number and viability of the sperms, together with an anabolic and sexual desire stimulating action which this hormone causes.
14) Reduction of prolactin secretion:
The ginsenosids cause a reduction of he plasmatic levels of the prolactin, due to an increase of the dopaminergic activity or an activation of the dopamine recipients at the level of the previous pituitary gland. This leads to an increase of the sexual desire.
15) Hypolipemiant Effect:
The ginsenosids show antioxidant properties reducing the oxidizing of the LDL. The ginseng root stimulates the lipoprotein-lipase, an enzyme which reduces he levels of kilomicrons and VLDL in the blood and therefore of cholesterol and triglycerides. Furthermore, its phytosterols reduce the LDL cholesterol levels by decreasing the absorption of dietic cholesterol.
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SYSTEMIC MEDICINE AND PANAX GINSENG
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Dosage:
One capsule of 500 mg twice or three times per day with the meals. A period of 2 - 3 weeks is recommended, with intervals of 1 - 2 weeks.
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Adverse Effects:
Although not very frequent in comparison with its extensive use, any abuse may produce the "Syndrome of Ginseng Abuse", shown by arterial hypertension, nervousness, insomnia, nosebleed (epistaxis), headache, vomiting, nettle rash, and morning diarrhea.
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Precautions:
Has to be used cautiously with patients who suffer from cardiovascular diseases and who use oral hypoglycemiants. Excessive coffee consumption should be avoided.
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Medicamental interaction :
Ginseng may strengthen the effects of inhibitors of mono-amino-oxidase (MAO) which can provoke a hypertensive crisis, headaches, fright and obsessions. It can also boost the action of anticoagulants of the warfarina type.
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Contraindications:
Cardiac arrhythmia, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, anxiety, nervousness, pregnancy and during lactancy.
Should not be used by persons who consume antidepressives of the IMAO type. |
References
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1: Pharmacol Res. 2003 Nov;48(5):511-3.
Effects of Panax ginseng extract on lipid metabolism in humans.
Kim SH, Park KS. Department of Health & Kinesiology, Purdue University, 1362 Lambert, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-1362,USA.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Panax ginseng extract (PGE) on lipid metabolism in humans by measuring cholesterol, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and plasma MDA levels were decreased by administration of PGE for 8 weeks (6g per day), however, high density lipoprotein (HDL) was increased . Those results suggest that hypolipidemic effect of PGE is associated with a decrease in TC, TG, LDL, MDA levels and an increase in HDL. These findings support scientific claims that ginseng has the hypolipidemic potential. Administration of PGE increased SOD and CAT activities while decreased MDA level indicating that antioxidant potential of PGE might induce hypolipidemic effect as one of action mechanism.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
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2: Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003 Jun;75(3):701-9.
Electroencephalograph effects of single doses of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng in healthy young volunteers.
Kennedy DO, Scholey AB , Drewery L. Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Division of Psychology, University of Northumbria , Newcastle upon Tyne , NE1 8ST , UK . |
Both Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng exert a number of physiological effects and have been shown to modulate aspects of cognitive performance. Whilst a number of studies have examined ginkgo's effects on electroencephalograph (EEG) recordings, to date, none have investigated the EEG effects of ginseng. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced crossover experiment, the effects of single doses of G. biloba (360 mg GK501), P. ginseng (200 mg G115), and an identical placebo, on auditory-evoked potentials, contingent negative variation (CNV), and resting power within the delta, theta, alpha, and beta wavebands, were assessed in 15 healthy volunteers. Each participant was assessed on three separate occasions 4 h after consuming that day's treatment. The order of presentation of the treatments was dictated by a Latin square with 7 days between testing sessions. The results showed that ginseng led to a significant shortening of the latency of the P300 component of the evoked potential. Both ginseng and ginkgo also led to significant reductions in frontal 'eyes closed' theta and beta activity, with additional reduction for ginseng in the alpha waveband. These findings demonstrate for the first time that P. ginseng can directly modulate cerebroelectrical activity, and that these effects are more pronounced than those following G. biloba.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Controlled Clinical Trial
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3: J Urol. 2002 Nov;168(5):2070-3.
A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of korean ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report.
Hong B, Ji YH, Hong JH. Department of Urology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine , Asan Medical Center , Seoul , Korea .
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PURPOSE: We investigated the efficacy of Korean red ginseng for erectile dysfunction using the International Index of Erectile Function, RigiScan (UroHealth Systems, Laguna Niguel , California ), hormonal levels and penile duplex ultrasonography with audiovisual sexual stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 patients with clinically diagnosed erectile dysfunction were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study (8 weeks on treatment, 2 weeks of washout and 8 weeks on treatment) in which the effects of Korean ginseng and a vehicle placebo were compared using multiple variables. The ginseng dose was 900 mg. 3 times daily. RESULTS: Mean International Index of Erectile Function scores were significantly higher in patients treated with Korean ginseng than in those who received placebo (baseline 28.0 +/- 16.7 and 38.1 +/- 16.6 versus 30.9 +/- 15.7, p <0.01). Scores on questions 3 (penetration) and 4 (maintenance) were significantly higher in the ginseng than in the placebo group (p <0.01). In response to the global efficacy question 60% of the patients answered that Korean ginseng improved erection (p <0.01). Among other variables penile tip rigidity on RigiScan showed significant improvement for ginseng versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that Korean ginseng can be as effective alternative for treating male erectile dysfunction.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Evaluation Studies
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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4: Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2002 Oct-Dec;57(5-6):242-6.
Ginseng improves pulmonary functions and exercise capacity in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Gross D, Shenkman Z, Bleiberg B. Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weitzmann Street, Tel Aviv 93715, Israel.
Ginseng is a root that has been used to treat patients with various illnesses for the last 2000 years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ginseng extract (G115) on Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV), Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max) in patients with moderately-severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Ninety-two adults were randomly divided into the experimental (n = 49, G115 100 mg bid for three months) and placebo-control (n = 43) groups. PFTs, MVV and MIP were studied before treatment and every two weeks for the 3-month-study period. Exercise test and VO2max measurements were performed before the beginning and after six weeks and three months. P lower than 0.05 was considered significant. Baseline demographics and pulmonary parameters were similar between the groups. In the experimental, but not in the control group, all parameters significantly increased above baseline and compared with the placebo group. Maximum increase, compared with baseline was FVC-32.5%, FEV1.0-27.0%, PEF-27.5%, FEF50-45.4%, FEF75-56.9%, MVV-40.4%, MIP-47.0% and VO2max-37.5%. No side effects were observed. G115 100 mg bid for three months, but not placebo, improved PFTs, MVV, MIP and VO2 max in patients with moderately-severe COPD with no side effects.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial
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5: Ann Pharmacother. 2002 May;36(5):758-63.
Electrocardiographic and hemodynamic effects of Panax ginseng.
Caron MF, Hotsko AL, Robertson S. School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut , Storrs , CT , USA . |
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Panax ginseng ingestion can acutely or chronically alter electrocardiographic parameters: PR, QRS, QT, QTc, and RR intervals, and QT and QTc interval dispersion. Effects of P. ginseng on blood pressure and heart rate also were evaluated. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of healthy adults at the University of Connecticut . Thirty subjects were randomly allocated to receive 28 days of therapy with either P. ginseng extract 200 mg or placebo. Baseline 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained. Subsequent ECGs were performed following study drug ingestion at 50 minutes, 2 hours, and 5 hours on days 1 and 28. Blood pressure readings were taken with each ECG. RESULTS: P. ginseng ingestion increased the QTc interval by 0.015 seconds on day 1 at 2 hours compared with the placebo group (p = 0.03). It also reduced diastolic blood pressure from 75 +/- 5 mm Hg at baseline to 70 +/- 6 mm Hg at the same time point (p = 0.02). The observed effects are not believed to be clinically significant. No other statistically significant changes were found in electrocardiographic or hemodynamic variables on days 1 or 28. CONCLUSIONS: P. ginseng, at doses of 200 mg of the extract daily, increases the QTc interval and decreases diastolic blood pressure 2 hours after ingestion in healthy adults on the first day of therapy.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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6. Ann Pharmacother. 2002 Mar;36(3):375-9.
Effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life.
Ellis JM, Reddy P. School of Pharmacy , University of Connecticut , Storrs , USA . |
OBJECTIVE: To assess the time-dependent effects of Panax ginseng on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by use of a general health status questionnaire. METHODS: Subjects were randomized in a double-blind manner to P. ginseng 200 mg/d (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15) for 8 weeks. The Short Form-36 Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2), a validated general health status questionnaire, was used to assess HRQOL at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. HRQOL between the groups was compared by use of repeated-measures analysis of covariance. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demographics and SF-36v2 scores between the groups. After 4 weeks of therapy, higher scores in social functioning (P. ginseng 54.9+/-4.6 vs. placebo 49.2+/-6.5; p = 0.014), mental health (P. ginseng 52.2+/-7.7 vs. placebo 47.2+/-7.3; p = 0.075), and the mental component summary (P. ginseng 51.3+/-7.4 vs. placebo 44.3+/-8.3; p = 0.019) scales were observed in patients randomized to P. ginseng; these differences did not persist to the 8-week time point. The incidence of adverse effects was 33% in the P. ginseng group compared with 17% in the placebo group (p = 0.40). Subjects given P. ginseng (58%) were more likely to state that they received active therapy than subjects given placebo (17%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Panax ginseng improves aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy .
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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7: Int Immunopharmacol. 2001 Jul;1(7):1295-1305.
Long-term intake of Korean red ginseng in HIV-1-infected patients: development of resistance mutation to zidovudine is delayed.
Cho YK , Sung H, Lee HJ. Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Pungnap-dong, Songpa-ku, Seoul 138-040, South Korea . |
We have observed that CD4+ T cell counts in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected patients treated with only Korean red ginseng (KRG) are maintained or even increased for a prolonged period. In the present study, we investigated whether the development of resistance mutations in reverse transcriptase (RT) to zidovudine (ZDV) is delayed by combined therapy with KRG and ZDV. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing methods were used to define RT codons 41, 67, 70, 210, 215 and 219 of the HIV-1 pol gene in DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples from 18 patients. Nine of these eighteen patients were in the KRG group and had been treated with KRG for 60 +/- 15 months (range: 38-82) and ZDV, and nine were in the control group and had been treated with ZDV only. The patients in the KRG group had been treated with ZDV for 75 +/- 24 months, and CD4+ T cell counts were maintained from 239 +/- 85 to 234 +/- 187 microliters-1 (P > 0.05) during the study period, whereas the patients in the control group had been treated with ZDV for 51 +/- 31 months, and their CD4+ T cell counts decreased from 272 +/- 97 to 146 +/- 154 microliters-1 (P < 0.01). In samples within 24 months of ZDV therapy, the overall incidence of 6 resistance mutations to ZDV was 4.2% and 47% in the KRG and control group (P < 0.01), respectively. In samples after 24 months of therapy, the incidence was 21.7% and 56.3% in the KRG and control group (P < 0.01), respectively. These data suggest that the maintenance of CD4+ T cell counts by ZDV and KRG-intake for a prolonged period might be indirectly associated with delayed development of resistance to ZDV by KRG-intake.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
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8: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 May;21(5):332-4.
[Clinical observation on nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with combined therapy of radiotherapy and ginseng polysaccharide injection]
Xie FY, Zeng ZF, Huang HY. Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, China .
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of radiotherapy (RT) combined with Ginseng polysaccharide (GSP) injection in treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its influence on immune function. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-one (131) NPC patients were randomly divided into two groups, 64 cases treated in the RT-GSP group and 67 in the control group treated with conventional therapy, to observe the local cancer remission rate, 1-year total survival rate, no tumor survival rate and no remote metastasis survival rate. Moreover, the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cell activity and lymphocyte activated killer (LAK) cell activity before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: Clinical examination conducted 3 months after treatment showed that the complete remission rate in the RT-GSP group was 96.6%, and in the control group 93.3%, the complete remission rate of cervical node metastatic tumor in the two groups was 85.7% and 78.0% respectively. Re-examination carried out 1 year after RT treatment showed that the total survival rate in the two groups was 100% and 96.5%, no tumor survival rate 84.4% and 74.6%, and no remote metastasis survival rate was 93.8% and 88.1% respectively. The activity of NK cell and LAK cell as well as T3, T4 value in peripheral blood increased significantly in the RT-GSP group (all P < 0.05) after treatment, while in the control group, activity of NK cell and LAK cell changed insignificantly after treatment, and T3, T4 value lowered significantly (P < 0.05). No toxic-adverse reaction of GSP was found. CONCLUSION: GSP improves certain immune functions in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma patients during radiotherapy, it could also eliminate the occurred adverse reaction to radiotherapy and the general condition of patients.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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9: Nutr Neurosci. 2001;4(4):295-310.
Dose dependent changes in cognitive performance and mood following acute administration of Ginseng to healthy young volunteers.
Kennedya DO, Scholeya AB , Wesnes KA. Division of Psychology, University of Northumbria , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . |
Recent evidence suggests that chronic administration of Ginseng can improve cognitive performance in animals and in humans. No previous study has examined the possibility of cognitive effects following single doses of Ginseng in healthy adults. The present study investigated whether acute administration of Ginseng (G115, Pharmaton SA) had any consistent effect on mood and four aspects of cognitive performance ("Quality of Memory", "Speed of Memory", "Quality of Attention" and "Speed of Attention") that can be derived by factor analysis of the Cognitive Drug Research computerised assessment battery. The study followed a placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced, crossover design. Twenty healthy young adult volunteers received 200, 400, and 600 mg of G115, and a matching placebo, in counterbalanced order, with a 7 day wash-out period between treatments. Following a baseline cognitive assessment, further test sessions took place 1, 2.5, 4 and 6 h after the day's treatment. The most striking result was a significant improvement in "Quality of Memory" and the associated "Secondary Memory" factor at all time points following 400 mg of Ginseng. Both the 200 and 600 mg doses were associated with a significant decrement of the "Speed of Attention" factor at later testing times only. Subjective ratings of alertness were also reduced 6 h following the two lowest doses. To the best of our knowledge this represents the first demonstration of a modulation of mood and cognitive performance by acute administration of Ginseng.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Controlled Clinical Trial
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10: Am J Chin Med. 2000;28(2):205-16.
Effects of red ginseng upon vascular endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension.
Sung J, Han KH, Zo JH. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea . |
This study is to estimate the effect of Korean red ginseng on vascular endothelial cell dysfunction in patients with hypertension. Seventeen patients with hypertension who were divided into ginseng-treated (7) and non-treated (10) groups and 10 normotensive subjects were included. To assess the function of the vascular endothelial cell, changes of forearm blood flow to infusion of acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside and bradykinin in incremental doses were measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. In the ginseng-treated hypertensive group, forearm blood flows at the highest dose of acetylcholine and bradykinin were significantly higher than those of the non-treated hypertensive group and were not different from those of the control group. In the case of sodium nitroprusside infusion, no significant differences were observed between the control, non-treated and treated groups. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng can improve the vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with hypertension possibly through increasing synthesis of nitric oxide.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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11: Int J Sport Nutr. 1999 Dec;9(4):371-7.
Ginseng treatment improves psychomotor performance at rest and during graded exercise in young athletes.
Ziemba AW, Chmura J, Kaciuba-Uscilko H. Dept. of Applied Physiology, Medical Research Center , Polish Academy of Sciences , Warsaw , Poland .
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This study was designed to determine the effect of ginseng treatment on multiple choice reaction time (RT) during exercise. Fifteen soccer players (age 19.07 +/- 0.62 yrs) were placed in a double-blind manner into one of two groups: ginseng (n = 7), receiving 350 mg of ginseng daily for 6 weeks, or placebo (n = 8), receiving a placebo daily for 6 weeks. Before and after the treatment all the subjects performed an incremental bicycle ergometer exercise with intensity increasing 50 W every 3 min until volitional exhaustion. RT was measured before exercise, and then in the last 2 min of each exercise load. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and lactate threshold (LAT) were also determined from the exercise test. Ginseng treatment was found to shorten RT at rest and during exercise, shifting the exercise load associated with the shortest RT toward higher exercise loads. Neither ginseng nor placebo influenced VO2 max and LAT. In conclusion, ginseng extract does improve psychomotor performance during exercise without affecting exercise capacity.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Controlled Clinical Trial
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12: Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1996;22(6):323-9.
Double-blind study of a multivitamin complex supplemented with ginseng extract.
Caso Marasco A, Vargas Ruiz R, Salas Villagomez A. Universidad Nacional Autonoma (UNAM), Mexico.
To remedy the deterioration in quality of life in large cities, the addition of ginseng root extract to a multivitamin base appears to produce a promising dietary supplement. The aim of the present study was to compare the quality-of-life parameters in subjects receiving multivitamins plus ginseng with those found in subjects receiving multivitamins alone. The study was comparative, randomized and double-blind, and it involved 625 patients of both sexes divided into two groups taking one capsule per day for 12 weeks. Group A received vitamins, minerals, trace elements and ginseng extract G115 while group B received vitamins, minerals and trace elements (multivitamin capsules) only. The resulting quality-of-life was assessed by a standardized 11-item questionnaire, validated by the Medical School of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Of the 625 patients recruited, 124 were excluded from the study due to lack of compliance with the treatment, so that 338 patients in group A and 163 patients in group B completed the study. By the end of the study, the 4th of the monthly assessments showed that both the group-A and the group-B treatments had induced a significant increase in the quality-of-life index, the change being 11.9 points for Pharmaton Capsules in group A which was significantly superior to the 6.4 average increase with the group-B capsules containing multivitamins alone. Group A showed significant improvement in every one of the 11 questionnaire items, whereas group B did not show significant improvement in any of these items . Significant increases in body weight and in diastolic blood pressure were recorded in the group B treated with the multivitamin alone. Adverse effects of the capsules were minimal in both groups. This study has demonstrated that vitamins, minerals, trace elements and ginseng extract were more effective than the multivitamin capsules alone in improving the quality-of-life in a population subjected to the stress of high physical and mental activity.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
13: Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1996;22(2):65-72.
Efficacy and safety of the standardised Ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold.
Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M. Department of Pharmacology, University of Milan , Italy .
The aim of the study was to determine the properties of a standardized extract of ginseng root in inducing a higher immune response in vaccination against influenza. Attention was also paid to the common cold in this multicentre, two-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind investigation. A total of 227 volunteers who visited 3 private practices in Milan received daily oral capsule doses of either placebo (113) or 100 mg of standardized ginseng extract Ginsana G 115 (114) for a period of 12 weeks within which they received an anti-influenza polyvalent vaccination at week 4. As a result, while the frequency of influenza or common cold between weeks 4 and 12 was 42 cases in the placebo group, it was only 15 cases in the G115 group, the difference being statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). Whereas antibody titres by week 8 rose to an average of 171 units in the placebo group, they rose to an average of 272 units in the G115 group (p < 0.0001). Natural killer (NK) activity levels at weeks 8 and 12 were nearly twice as high in the G115 group as compared to the placebo group (p < 0.0001). In all the volunteers, laboratory values of 24 safety parameters showed no significant differences between the end and the beginning of the 12-week study in either of the groups. There were only 9 adverse events in the study, the principal one being insomnia.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Multicenter Study
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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14: Int J Impot Res. 1995 Sep;7(3):181-6.
Clinical efficacy of Korean ginseng for erectile dysfunction.
Choi HK, Seong DH, Rha KH. Severance Institute of Andrology Research , Yonsei University , College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea . |
To investigate the efficacy in treating erectile dysfunction and to develop a natural drug without complications, the results of ginseng treatments are compared to placebo and other drug. A total of 90 patients with 30 patients in each group were closely followed. In the group receiving ginseng, changes in early detumescence and erectile parameters such as penile rigidity and girth, libido and patient satisfactions were significantly higher than that of other groups (p < 0.05). The overall therapeutic efficacies on erectile dysfunction were 60% for ginseng group and 30% for placebo and trazodone treated groups, statistically confirming the effect of ginseng (p < 0.05). No cases of aggravation of symptoms were reported. AVS-penogram, which is a recording of penile hemodynamic changes during the natural erection after audiovisual erotic stimulation, is not changed after administration of ginseng. However if administered for a prolonged period of time, the cummulative effect on vascular flow might be seen. The administration of Korean ginseng has shown to have superior effects compared to the placebo or trazodone. Definitely more researches are required to elucidate the mechanism of ginseng. The effects of saponin, extracted from ginseng, on smooth muscle of erectile tissues, can be evaluated using organ chamber or nitric oxide titration, thereby pinpointing the exact action mechanism of saponin. As more informations are available, possible breakthrough in treatment of erectile dysfunction could be arisen from active saponin extracted from red ginseng, bringing hopes to many sufferers of erectile dysfunction.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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15: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1995 Jun;15(6):325-7.
[Effects of red ginseng on the congestive heart failure and its mechanism]
Ding DZ, Shen TK, Cui YZ. Research Section for Cardiovascular Diseases, Yanbian Medical College , Jilin .
Forty-five patients with class IV cardiac function were divided into three groups: group I (digoxin group), group II (Red Ginseng group) and group III (Red Ginseng plus digoxin group). Each group consisted of 15 cases. After treatment, the improvement of the hemodynamical and biochemical indexes of group II and group III were greater than those of group I, and group III was the most significant amongst all. The results suggested that Red Ginseng and digoxin had synergism for treatment of congestive heart failure, and Red Ginseng was an effective and safe adjuvant without any side effects.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
16: Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 1994 Oct;74(10):626-8, 648.
[Protective effects of ginsenoside on myocardiac ischemic and reperfusion injuries]
Zhan Y, Xu XH, Jiang YP. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hunan Medical University , Changsha .
Thirty mitral valvular surgical patients were randomly divided into three groups for study of protective effects of Ginsenoside on myocardiac ischemic and reperfusion injuries. In GI, 11 patients (controls), no Ginsenoside was used, in GII, 11, Ginsenoside in total was added into the cardioplegic solusion made in our hospital, and in GIII, 8, instead of Ginsenoside in total Ginsenoside Rb was added. During operation comparative studies were made of pre- and postoperative cardiac functions with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and ultrastructures of myocardiac cells with electromicroscopy. We conclude that both Ginsenoside in total and Ginsenoside Rb have protective effects on myocardiac ischemic and reperfusion injuries in open heart surgery, and the effect of Ginsenoside in total is even better than that of Ginsenoside Rb.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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17: Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1992 Mar;30(3):97-102.
Hemorrheological and circulatory effects of Gincosan.
Kiesewetter H, Jung F, Mrowietz C. Department of Clinical Hemostasiology and Transfusion Medicine, University of the Saarland , Homburg-Saar , Germany . |
Gincosan is a combined preparation containing 60 mg ginkgo biloba and 100 mg ginseng, standardized of 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides and 4% ginsenosides. Hemorrheological and circulatory effect as well as blood pressure behavior after the administration of gincosan were studied in an acute trial on 10 voluntary subjects with a mean age of 26 years. Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly both for the large-dose (120 mg ginkgo biloba +200 mg ginseng) and low-dose administration (60 mg ginkgo biloba +100 mg ginseng). Diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased only in the high dosage group. The pathologically increased spontaneous platelet aggregation is reduced by both dosages. Erythrocyte velocity in nail fold capillaries increased significantly only in the high dosage group. The parallel group comparison of the high dosage and placebo group showed that they differ only significantly concerning the erythrocyte rigidity, erythrocyte velocity in nail fold capillaries and spontaneous platelet aggregation. A trend towards a decrease in the systolic blood pressure is revealed (p less than 0.1).
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Controlled Clinical Trial
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18: Clin Ther. 1991 May-Jun;13(3):373-82.
Effects of a standardized ginseng extract combined with dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements on physical performance during exercise.
Pieralisi G, Ripari P, Vecchiet L. Institute of Medical Pathophysiology, University of Chieti , Italy . |
The subjects of this double-blind, randomized, crossover study were 50 healthy male sports teachers aged 21 to 47 years. Every day for six weeks each subject received two capsules of a preparation containing ginseng extract, dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, or two capsules of placebo. The subjects then performed an exercise test on a treadmill at increasing work loads. The total work load and maximal oxygen consumption during exercise were significantly greater after the ginseng preparation than after placebo. At the same work load, oxygen consumption, plasma lactate levels, ventilation, carbon dioxide production, and heart rate during exercise were significantly lower after the ginseng preparation than after placebo. The effects of ginseng were more pronounced in the subjects with maximal oxygen consumption below 60 ml/kg/min during exercise than in the subjects with levels of 60 ml/kg/min or above. The results indicate that the ginseng preparation increased the subjects' work capacity by improving muscular oxygen utilization.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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19: Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1990 Oct;10(10):586-9, 579.
[Antisenility effect of ginseng-rhizome saponin]
Zhao XZ. Zhejiang College of TCM, Hangzhou .
Ginseng-Rhizome is the Rhizome of Panax ginseng and popularly named "Shenlu". The treatment group treated with the sugar-coated tablets of Ginseng-Rhizome saponin (GRS) orally for two months, one tablet (50 mg per tablet), three times a day. Through the clinical observations of 358 cases of middle and old age persons (age from 50 to 85 years old). The results showed that GRS possessed antisenility effect and marked effect on relieving the symptoms of aging, adjusting organic metabolism and improving physiological function, etc., such as promoting memory, raising the amount of white cells and improving organic immunity function. GRS both improved the function of hypophysisgonad axis and the function of adrenal cortex. It had marked efficacy in the treatment of coronary heart disease with angina pectoris and had better effect on treating concomitant atrial and ventricular prematures . The control group (123 cases, age from 50 to 85 years old) was given sugar-coated tablets of placebo (starch) for two months and then compared themselves with before. There were both no difference in clinical symptoms and experimental tests. After two years experimental researches and clinical observations, it showed that GRS tablet and Shenlu tablet both have no side effect of vomiting and also no toxic effect when they were taken for a long-term.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Controlled Clinical Trial
20: Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1990;16(10):537-42.
Immunomodulatory effects of two extracts of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer.
Scaglione F, Ferrara F, Dugnani S. Dept. of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Toxicology, University of Milan , Italy .
The effect of Panax ginseng extracts on cell-mediated immune functions in man has been investigated. Three groups, each consisting of twenty healthy volunteers, were treated under conditions of double blindness with capsules containing lactose (Control Group B), with capsules containing 100 mg of aqueous extract of the drug (Group A), and with capsules containing 100 mg of standardized extract of the drug (Group C). All the patients took one capsule every 12 h for 8 weeks. Blood samples were withdrawn before beginning the treatment, at the fourth week and at the eighth week. The immune parameters examined were the following: chemotaxis of PMNs, phagocytosis index (PHI), phagocytosis fraction (PHF), intracellular killing, total lymphocytes (T3), T helper (T4) subset, suppressor cells (T8) subset, blastogenesis of circulating lymphocytes, natural killer-cell activity (NK). Chemotaxis proved to be enhanced (p less than 0.05) already at the fourth week in Group A as well as in Group C ; the increase became even more marked (p less than 0.001) at the eight week in subjects belonging to Group C. PHI and PHF proved to be enhanced (p less than 0.05) at the eighth week in subjects of Group A; these increases were found to be higher in subjects of Group C (p less than 0.001) already starting at the fourth week. Intracellular killing was shown to be significantly increased (p less than 0.05) already at the fourth week in Groups A and C; the increase becomes highly significant in both groups (p less than 0.001) at the eighth week .(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
21: J Int Med Res. 1987 Sep-Oct;15(5):276-81.
Effects of a preparation containing a standardized ginseng extract combined with trace elements and multivitamins against hepatotoxin-induced chronic liver disease in the elderly.
Zuin M, Battezzati PM, Camisasca M. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan , Italy .
A preparation containing a standardized ginseng extract which has been shown to exert anti-hepatotoxic activity in vitro, combined with trace elements and multi-vitamins was compared to placebo in 24 elderly out-patients with toxin-induced (alcohol and drugs) chronic liver disease in order to evaluate its effect on liver function. Each patient was blindly treated either with the preparation containing ginseng extract or placebo for 12 weeks. The preparation containing ginseng extract significantly modified bromsulphthalein retention and blood zinc levels when compared to pre-treatment levels and to placebo. Serum bile acids, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase before and after a fatty meal were significantly reduced after treatment with the test preparation and not with placebo. When the two treatment groups were compared, however, no significant difference in these parameters was observed . These results suggest that treatment with the preparation containing ginseng extract could improve the detoxifying activity of the liver in elderly patients with toxin-induced chronic liver disease.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Controlled Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial
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22: Diabetes Care. 1995 Oct;18(10):1373-5.
Ginseng therapy in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.
Sotaniemi EA, Haapakoski E, Rautio A. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oulu , Finland . |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ginseng on newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, 36 NIDDM patients were treated for 8 weeks with ginseng (100 or 200 mg) or placebo. Efficacy was evaluated with psychophysical tests and measurements of glucose balance, serum lipids, aminoterminalpropeptide (PIIINP) concentration, and body weight. RESULTS: Ginseng therapy elevated mood, improved psychophysical performance, and reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight. The 200-mg dose of ginseng improved glycated hemoglobin, serum PIIINP, and physical activity. Placebo reduced body weight and altered the serum lipid profile but did not alter FBG. CONCLUSIONS: Ginseng may be a useful therapeutic adjunct in the management of NIDDM.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Controlled Clinical Trial
• Multicenter Study
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