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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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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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Yu T, Lee YJ, Yang HM, Han S, Kim JH, Lee Y, Kim C, Han MH, Kim MY, Lee J, Cho JY. Inhibitory effect of Sanguisorba officinalis ethanol extract on NO and PGE₂ production is mediated by suppression of NF-κB and AP-1 activation signaling cascade. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2011; 134:11-17. [PMID: 20832462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.08.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2010] [Revised: 08/24/2010] [Accepted: 08/31/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Sanguisorba officinalis, a well known valuable medicinal plant in Korea, China and Japan used traditionally for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases such as diarrhea, chronic intestinal infections, duodenal ulcers, and bleeding. Recent studies have revealed that its aqueous or ethanolic extracts exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-lipid peroxidation, anti-atherogenic, and vasorelaxant effects. Systematic studies on the anti-inflammatory effect of this plant and its molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully investigated. Ethanol extract of Sanguisorba officinalis (So-EE) the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and production of inflammatory mediators were employed to assess these properties. RESULTS So-EE significantly suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E(2) from LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. This extract effectively diminished the mRNA levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, implying that the blockade is generated at the transcriptional level. So-EE strongly blocked the activation and translocation of NF-κB and AP-1 by suppressing the upstream kinases including inhibitor of κBα (IκBα), IκBα kinase (IKK), Akt (protein kinase B), phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), p85/phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, So-EE suppressed the phosphorylation of Src, its kinase activity, and complex formation between Src and p85. CONCLUSION This study suggests that So-EE has a potent anti-inflammatory activity mediated by NF-κB, and AP-1 inhibitory properties linked to the suppression of Src and MAPK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yu
- College of Biomedical Science, Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea
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Shen T, Park YC, Kim SH, Lee J, Cho JY. Nuclear factor-kappaB/signal transducers and activators of transcription-1-mediated inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages are a major inhibitory target of kahweol, a coffee diterpene. Biol Pharm Bull 2010; 33:1159-64. [PMID: 20606307 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.33.1159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Diterpene kahweol, one of the major components in coffee, has anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of kahweol. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells were used to explore the modulatory role of kahweol on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production and the activation of signaling proteins and transcription factors using immunoblotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Kahweol diminished both the production of NO and PGE(2) and the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Interestingly, this compound suppressed the phospho-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)-1 and p65/nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB levels in the nucleus but not c-Jun and c-fos. In conjunction, the phosphorylation of Akt and Janus kinase (JAK)2 also decreased. Therefore, our data suggest that kahweol in coffee may be an anti-inflammatory modulator with NF-kappaB/STAT-1-targeted inhibitory properties in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Shen
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
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