• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.158-164
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• 2003

Recently, there are much concerns about ginseng as disease therapeutics. There are no epidemiologic study on relationship between ginseng intake and all cause mortality based from general population Cohort. This study sought to examine relationships between ginseng intake and all cause mortality from Kangwha Cohort data. From March 1985 through December 1999, 2696 males and 3595 females who were aged 55 or over as of 1985 were followed up. We calculate the mortality rate, standardized mortality ratio and risk ratios by ginseng intake. Cox proportional hazard model was used to adjust various confounding factors. Ginseng intake group had the lower all cause mortality(Risk ratio(RR)=0.88, 95%Confidence Interval(CI)=0.79-0.97) among males. Increasing ginseng intake, lower all cause mortality(Low ginseng intake: RR=0.88, 95%CI=0.79-0.98; high ginseng intake : RR=0.87, 95%CI=0.75-1.00) among males. There is no statistically significant difference between ginseng intake and mortality among females. The results of this study suggests that ginseng intake may prolong the human life among males.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.367-372
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• 2003

Objectives : There are many concerns about ginseng as a cancer chemopreventive substance, but there have been few epidemiological studies on ginseng, This study sought to examine the relationships between ginseng intake and cancer incidence in the Kangwha cohort. Methods ; Between March 1985 and December 1999, 2697 males, aged 55 or over, as of 1985, were followed up for their cancer incidence. The cancer incidence rate, standardized incidence ratio and risk ratios were calculated according to ginseng intake. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to adjust for age at entry, smoking, alcohol intake, hypertension, and body mass index. Results & Conclusions : The ginseng intake group had the same cancer (C00-C97) incidences (Standardized Incidence Ratio: SIR=1.11, 95% Confidence Interval=0.97-1.27) and the same risk ratio (RR=1.09, 95% Confidence Interval=0.85-1.41) as the no-intake group. Analyzing the subjects that had followed up from 1990, however, the ginseng intake group had lower cancer incidences at all sites (RR=0.79, 95% Confidence Interval=0.58-1.09). This was a cohort study to try and evaluate the association between ginseng intake and the incidences of cancer, The results of this study provide no clear conclusions on the cancer preventive effects of ginseng. Therefore, further study is needed in the future.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.253-262
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• 1994

This study was intended to investigate the anticarcinogenic effect of ginseng previously elucidated by other researches in animal studies. The sister chromatid exchange(SCE) method of human lymphocytes was used as a biomarker. Based on the literature search and the results of our laboratory, smoking was used as a parameter elevating the SCE frequency of general human population. To evaluate the smoking and ginseng effect on SCE frequency, 98 male healthy factory workers aged 23 to 58 years were divided into 4 groups : smoker with ginseng (SG), smoker control(SC), non-smoker with ginseng(NSG), and non-smoker control(NSC) groups, according to their smoking habits and ginseng intake. The mean sponteneous SCE per cell for the SG(10.8$\pm$0.3) and SC(10.4$\pm$0.3) groups were significantly higher than the NSG(9.1$\pm$0.2) and NSC(9.3$\pm$0.3) groups(p<0.05). High frequency cells (HFCs, cells with 15 SCEs) in SG and SC groups were also greater than those in NSG and NSC groups. However, the SCE levels of the SG and SC groups were not associated with the personal smoking history and the number of cigaretts smoked per day. Ginseng intake did not show any effect on the increased SCE caused by smoking. There were no correlations of the elevated SCE among smoking and ginseng types, history of ginseng intake, and consumption frequencies of ginseng intake. These results does not support the findings of other researchers that ginseng could be a protective agent to DNA damage.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 1995

We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the preventive effect of ginseng on the development of cancer in the population over 40 years old residing in Kangwha-eup from August 1987 to December 1992. Alnong 4, 634 persons (2, 362 men, 2, 272 women), 335 (7.6%) persons had died. Cancer accounted for 79 (22.8%) of the total death. Of 4, 634 persons eligible for analysis, 70.475 (3, 263) were ginseng intakes. Ginseng intakes had a decreased risk (RR=0.48, 95% Cl : 0.34~0.67) compared with non-intakes. The relative risk of cancer according to the kind of ginseng was 0.23 (95% Cl : 0.08~ 0.63) for fresh ginseng extract intakes. There was a decrease in risk with rising the frequency of ginseng intake, showing statistically significant dose-response relationship. The longer the duration of ginseng intake or the greater the total number of ginseng consumed, the lower the risk. Newly diagnosed cancer cases have been identified: 42 stomach, 24 lung, 14 liver and 57 at other sites. The relative risks of ginseng intakes were 0.34 (95% Cl 0.19~0.60) in gastric cancer and 0.27 (95% Cl : 0.12-0.60) in lung cancer. Among ginseng preparations, fresh ginseng intakes were significantly associated with the decreased risk of gastric cancer (RR: 0.19, 95% Cl : 0.04~0.98). These results strongly revealed that Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer (Korean ginseng) has preventive effect against cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2010

In the present study, we investigated whether a gross deletion in the nef gene ($g{\Delta}nef$) is induced by Korean red ginseng (KRG) intake. Ten patients were treated with KRG powder for 3 years in the absence of antiretroviral drug therapy. On average, $3,555{\pm}1,042\;g$ KRG was administered per person over $36.1{\pm}2.4$ months. There was a mild decrease in CD4 T cell count ($75{\pm}110/{\mu}L$) over the $36.1{\pm}2.4$ months (p = 0.059). We obtained 355 nef amplicons using 71 peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples over a 3-year period. All ten patients exhibited g${\Delta}$nef (range, 3.2 to 45.9%). At baseline, 3 of 78 amplicons (3.8%) exhibited $g{\Delta}nef$, whereas 18.8% (52/277) revealed $g{\Delta}nef$ during KRG-intake (p<0.001). The proportion of $g{\Delta}nef$ was significantly correlated with monthly dose of KRG (r=0.89, p<0.001). The median time for first detection of $g{\Delta}nef$ was 13 months. In conclusion, our data show that $g{\Delta}nef$ is inducible by KRG intake and its proportion is dependent on the duration of KRG intake and dose of KRG.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.253-264
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• 1990

The growth responses of a variety of human intestinal bacteria to extracts of Panax ginseng and five other oriental medicinal Araliaceae were elraluattd in vitro and in vivo. The extracts enhanced the growth of Brifidobnnerilrm breve and B. longlim in media with or without carbon sources, suggesting that bifidus factors) might be involved in the phenomenon. This effect was most pronounced with water extract of P. ginseng, the growth of 27 bifidobacteria strains belonging to B adolescentis, B. longum, B. brim and B. infantis being greatly stimurated, whereas seven B. bifidum strains and other bacteria such as clostridia and Escherichin soli had little or no ability to utilise it for growth. Methanol extracts of p. ginseng were found to selectively inhibit growth of various clostridia including bifidobacteria. Paraputrificum, but this effect was not observed on other bacteria including bifidobacteria. The effect of ginseng extract intake (600 mg/day for two weeks) on the faecal microflora, pH, volatile fatty acids, ammonia, putrefactive products, and -glucuronidase, -glucosidase and nitroreductase activities, and on the blood components (triglyceride, total cholesterol and ammonia) were investigated using seven healthy human volunteers. The total concentration of faecal microflora including Bifidnkaderiifm app. during the period of ginseng extract intake %twas significantly unaffected from the preceding and subsequent control peroids. However, the frequency of occurrence of subjects having C. perfringens was significantly decreased. The faecal pH value was also significantly decreased, suggesting that the intake might increase the activity of Bifidobncterium spry. Other biochemical properties in faeces did not changed significantly. The levels of ammonia and triglycerid in blood were decreased with ginseng extract intake. These results may be an indication of at least one of the Pharmacological actions of p. ginseng as an adaptogen.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.173-182
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• 2004

We have shown that long-term intake of Korean red ginseng (KRG) delays disease progression in HIV-I infected patients. In the present study to investigate whether this slow progression was associated with protective human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles as well as with KRG-intake, we have performed clinical analysis of 31 HIV-1 infected patients who have been living for more than 10 years without any antiretroviral therapy. Average amount of KRG-intake over $130\;{\pm}16$ months was $4,797\;{\pm}4,921\;g$ and the annual decrease in CD4 T cell (AD) was $30\;{\pm}29{\mu}L$. We observed significant correlations among amount of KRG-intake, AD(r=-0.53, P < 0.01), and plasma HIV-1 RNA copy (r=-0.35, P < 0.05), along with a significant correlation between KRG-intake and HLA score AD(r=-0.49, P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant correlation between HLA score and AD or viral load. When the 31 patients were divided into 2 groups based on the amount of KRG-intake, the $AD(14/{\mu}L)$ in the 16 patients who had taken higher amounts of KRG was significantly less than that $(49/{\mu}L)$ in the 15 patients with a little or no KRG-intake (P < 0.01). These data indicate that KRG-intake sig­nificantly slows CD4 T cell depletion in HIV-1 infected patients.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1990.06a
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• pp.111-122
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• 1990

The growth responses of a variety of human Intestinal bacteria to extracts of Pun(1.vKy'n.ieny and five other oriental medicinal Araliaceae were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The extracts enhanced the growth of Bifidobncterilim breve and B. longum in Media with or without carbon sources, suggesting the bifid factor (5) might be involved in the phenomenon. This effect was most pronounced with water extract of p. ginseng, the growth of 27 bifidobacteria strains belonging to B. ndolexcentium, H. longlrm, and 1. breve and B. iniuntis being greatly stimurated, whereas seven B. bifidum strains and other bacteria such as clostridia and 5.fcherirhia coli had little or no ability to utilizes it (or growth. Methanol extracts of p, ginseng were found to selectively inhibit growth of various clostridia including C. perfringens and C. Paraputrificum, but this effect was not observed on other bacteria including bifidobacteria. The effect of ginseng extract intake(600 mg/day for two weeks) on the fecal microflora, pH, volatile fatty acids, ammonia, putrefactive products, and -glucuronidase, -glucosidase and nitroreductase activities, and on the blood components (triglyceride, total cholesterol and ammonia) were investigated using seven healthy human volunteers. The total concentration of fecal microflora including Bri'idobucterilim app. during the period of ginseng extract intake was significantly unaffected from the proceeding and sub sequent control periods. However, the frequency of occurrence of subjects having C. perfringens was significantly decreased. The fecal pH value was also significantly decreased, suggesting that the intake might increase the activity of Bifidobacterium spp. Other biochemical properties in faces did not changed significantly. The levels of ammonia and triglycerid in blood were decreased with ginseng extract intake. These results may be an indication of at least one of the pharmacological actions of P ginseng as an adaptogen.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 1998

Thrombogenesis and atherosclerosis are mainly caused by platelet aggregation, blood coagulation, and hyperlipidemia. Platelet aggrelation, activated platelet thromboplastin time (APTT) were measured as indexes of blood coagulation and lipid contents in the subjects who have taken red ginseng products (e.g. water extract, tea, drink etc.) for 4 to 5 years. The platelet aggregation in the red ginseng-taking group was significantly decreased, as compared with the non-red ginseng-intaking group, when platelets were stimulated by 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of collagen (P<0.01). The atherogenic index and the ratio of triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol in blood, the risk factors of atherosclerosis, were decreased in the subjects of ginseng group, compared with that in control group. APTT was also prolonged to greater extent in ginseng group than in control group. These results suggest that long-term intake of ginseng products may help to prevent the risks of thrombogenesis and atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Although ginseng has been shown to have an antiobesity effect, antiobesity-related mechanisms are complex and have not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated ginseng's effects on food intake, the digestion, and absorption systems, as well as liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle in order to identify the mechanisms involved. A review of previous in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that ginseng and ginsenosides can increase energy expenditure by stimulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase pathway and can reduce energy intake. Moreover, in high fat dietinduced obese and diabetic individuals, ginseng has shown a two-way adjustment effect on adipogenesis. Nevertheless, most of the previous studies into antiobesity effects of ginseng have been animal based, and there is a paucity of evidence supporting the suggestion that ginseng can exert an antiobesity effect in humans.