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Hyun SH, Ahn HY, Kim HJ, Kim SW, So SH, In G, Park CK, Han CK. Immuno-enhancement effects of Korean Red Ginseng in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Ginseng Res 2020; 45:191-198. [PMID: 33437171 PMCID: PMC7790881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Most clinical studies of immune responses activated by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been conducted exclusively in patients. However, there is still a lack of clinical research on immune-boosting benefits of KRG for healthy persons. This study aims to confirm how KRG boosts the immune system of healthy subjects. Methods A total of 100 healthy adult subjects were randomly divided into two groups that took either a 2 g KRG tablet or a placebo per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy evaluation variables included changes in T cells, B cells, and white blood cells (WBCs) before and after eight weeks of KRG ingestion. Cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-4), WBC differential count, and incidence of colds were measured in the secondary efficacy evaluation variables. Safety evaluation variables were used to identify changes in laboratory test results that incorporated adverse reactions, vital signs, hematological tests, blood chemistry tests, and urinalysis. Results Compared to the placebo group, the KRG intake group showed a significant increase in the number of T cells (CD3) and its subtypes (CD4 and CD8), B cells, and the WBC count before and after eight weeks of the intake. There were no clinically significant adverse reactions or other notable results in the safety evaluation factors observed. Conclusion This study has proven through its eight-week intake test and subsequent analysis that KRG boosts the immune system through an increase in T cells, B cells, and WBCs, and that it is safe according to the study's safety evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Hee Hyun
- Laboratory of Efficacy Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, 30, Gajeong-ro, Shinseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Young Ahn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oriental Medical Hospital, Se-Myung University, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong-Jun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oriental Medical Hospital, Se-Myung University, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Won Kim
- Laboratory of Efficacy Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, 30, Gajeong-ro, Shinseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ho So
- Laboratory of Efficacy Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, 30, Gajeong-ro, Shinseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyo In
- Laboratory of Efficacy Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, 30, Gajeong-ro, Shinseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae-Kyu Park
- Laboratory of Efficacy Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, 30, Gajeong-ro, Shinseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Kyun Han
- Laboratory of Efficacy Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, 30, Gajeong-ro, Shinseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Lee YY, Seo HW, Kyung JS, Hyun SH, Han BC, Park S, So SH, Lee SH, Yi EC. Proteomic studies of putative molecular signatures for biological effects by Korean Red Ginseng. J Ginseng Res 2019; 43:666-675. [PMID: 31700262 PMCID: PMC6823813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been widely used as an herbal medicine to normalize and strengthen body functions. Although many researchers have focused on the biological effects of KRG, more studies on the action mechanism of red ginseng are still needed. Previously, we investigated the proteomic changes of the rat spleen while searching for molecular signatures and the action mechanism of KRG. The proteomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were involved in the increased immune response and phagocytosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of KRG, especially the immune-enhancing response of KRG. Methods Rats were divided into 4 groups: 0 (control group), 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg administration of KRG powder for 6 weeks, respectively. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation was performed with Q-Exactive LC-MS/MS to compare associated proteins between the groups. The putative DEPs were identified by a current UniProt rat protein database search and by the Gene Ontology annotations. Results The DEPs appear to increase the innate and acquired immunity as well as immune cell movement. These results suggest that KRG can stimulate immune responses. This analysis refined our targets of interest to include the potential functions of KRG. Furthermore, we validated the potential molecular targets of the functions, representatively LCN2, CRAMP, and HLA-DQB1, by Western blotting. Conclusion These results may provide molecular signature candidates to elucidate the mechanisms of the immune response by KRG. Here, we demonstrate a strategy of tissue proteomics for the discovery of the molecular function of KRG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yook Lee
- The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwi Won Seo
- The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Su Kyung
- The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hee Hyun
- The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Cheol Han
- The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Songhee Park
- The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ho So
- The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ho Lee
- The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eugene C Yi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Convergence Science and Technology and College of Medicine or College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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So SH, Lee JW, Kim YS, Hyun SH, Han CK. Red ginseng monograph. J Ginseng Res 2018; 42:549-561. [PMID: 30337816 PMCID: PMC6190493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ginseng has been traditionally used for several millennia in Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan, not only as a nourishing and tonifying agent but also as a therapeutic agent for a variety of diseases. In recent years, the various effects of red ginseng including immunity improvement, fatigue relief, memory improvement, blood circulation improvement, antioxidation, mitigation of menopausal women's symptoms, and anticancer an effect have been reported in clinical as well as basic research. Around the world, there is a trend of the rising consumption of health functional foods on the level of disease prevention along with increased interest in maintaining health because of population aging and the awareness of lifestyle diseases and chronic diseases. Red ginseng occupies an important position as a health functional food. But till now, international ginseng monographs including those of the World Health Organization have been based on data on white ginseng and have mentioned red ginseng only partly. Therefore, the red ginseng monograph is needed for component of red ginseng, functionality certified as a health functional food in the Korea Food and Drug Administration, major efficacy, action mechanism, and safety. The present red ginseng monograph will contribute to providing accurate information on red ginseng to agencies, businesses, and consumers both in South Korea and abroad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Ho So
- Laboratory of Fundamental Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Won Lee
- Laboratory of Fundamental Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Sook Kim
- Laboratory of Fundamental Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hee Hyun
- Laboratory of Fundamental Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Kyun Han
- Laboratory of Fundamental Research, Korea Ginseng Corporation, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Seo EY, Kim WK. Red ginseng extract reduced metastasis of colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. J Ginseng Res 2013; 35:315-24. [PMID: 23717075 PMCID: PMC3659544 DOI: 10.5142/jgr.2011.35.3.315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of red ginseng extract on metastasis of colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Wound healing migration, cell motility, invasion, and activity, protein expression, and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were examined in SW480 human colon cancer cells. SW480 cells were cultured with or without 100 μg/L PMA in the absence or presence of various concentrations (100, 200, or 300 μg/mL) of red ginseng extract. Red ginseng extract treatment caused significant suppression of cell motility and invasion (p<0.05) in SW480 cells. Red ginseng extract inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and their protein and mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05) in SW480 cells. For experimental metastasis, BALB/c mice were injected intravenously with CT-26 mouse colon cancer cells in the tail vein, and were orally administered various concentrations (0, 75, 150, or 300 mg/kg body weight) of red ginseng extract for 3 weeks. Numbers of pulmonary nodules were significantly decreased in mice that were fed red ginseng extract (p<0.05). Plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity significantly decreased in response to treatment with red ginseng extract in mice (p<0.05). These data suggest that red ginseng extract may be useful for prevention of cancer invasion and metastasis through inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Young Seo
- Department of Food Science & Nutrition, Dankook University, Yongin 448-701, Korea
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Lee JH, Sul D, Oh E, Jung WW, Hwang KW, Hwang TS, Lee KC, Won NH. Panax ginseng effects on DNA damage, CYP1A1 expression and histopathological changes in testes of rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Food Chem Toxicol 2007; 45:2237-44. [PMID: 17624648 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2007.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2006] [Revised: 05/17/2007] [Accepted: 05/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The effects of Panax ginseng extracts on DNA damage, expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and reproductive toxicity were evaluated in the testis of rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxinthe (TCDD). Fifty rats were divided into five groups according to treatment with 2,3,7,8-TCDD and P. ginseng extracts. Single cell gel electrophoresis assays were performed to evaluate DNA damage that occurred in the lymphocytes of rats. Histological changes in the seminiferous tubules of the testis were determined using Johnsen's scoring system and Real Time-PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of CYP1A1. Significant pathological effects were observed in the 2,3,7,8-TCDD treated rats including a reduced seminiferous tubular diameter, an increased number of damaged tubules (maturation arrest, eosinophilic degeneration and spermatid giant cells) and increased Johnsen's score. DNA damage and the expression of CYP1A1 mRNA were significantly increased in rat testes. There were no significant differences between the control and animals treated with P. ginseng extracts. However, a significantly decreased level of DNA damage, decreased CYP1A1 expression and reduced pathological effects were observed in the 2,3,7,8-TCDD with P. ginseng extracts treated groups when compared with the TCDD treated group. In summary, our study demonstrates that 2,3,7,8-TCDD induces the pathological and genotoxical damage in rat testes, while P. ginseng extract treatment exhibits a therapeutic capacity to reduce these effects via reduction of CYP1A1 mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Han Lee
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Anamdong 5 Ka, Sungbuk Ku, Seoul 136-705, Republic of Korea
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