• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 2009

Alopecia is a common form of hair loss in both male and female, affecting approximately ten million Koreans. Although medical treatments have been developed to treat alopecia, these treatments still have limitations due to complications that come with these treatments. In contrast, Korean red ginseng has been shown to have a stimulating effect on hair follicle and it has already been added to hair treatment products as a safe ingredient. This study was conducted to objectively evaluate the efficacy of Korean red ginseng in the treatment of alopecia. 40 patients suffering from androgenic alopecia were recruited and randomly divided into the experimental (20 patients) and control (20 patients) groups. The experimental group took Korean red ginseng extract (3,000 mg/day) for 24 weeks while the control group took a placebo. The changes of hair counts, thickness, and density were evaluated with Folliscope$^{(R)}$. Patient satisfaction was evaluated through a questionnaire, and clinical photographs were rated by dermatologists. The result of the study showed that Korean red ginseng effectively increased hair density and thickness. Patient satisfaction and evaluation of photographs by dermatologists also confirmed the effectiveness of Korean red ginseng in the treatment of alopecia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2010

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been shown to have anti-stress effects in animal studies. However, most studies have only managed to detect altered levels of biomarkers or enzymes in blood or tissue, and the actual molecular mechanisms by which ginseng exerts these effects remain unknown. In this study, the anti-oxidative effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) was examined in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells. Incubation of SK-N-SH cells with the oxidative stressor hydrogen peroxide resulted in significant induction of cell death. In contrast, pre-treatment of cells with KRG decreased cell death significantly. To elucidate underlying mechanisms by which KRG inhibited cell death, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was examined by Western blot analysis. KRG pre-treatment decreased the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene caspase-3, whereas it increased expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. Consistent with this, immunoblot analysis showed that pre-treatment of the SK-N-SH cells with KRG inhibited expression of the pro-inflammatory gene cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). RT-PCR analysis revealed that the repression of COX-2 expression by KRG pre-treatment occurred at the mRNA level. Taken together, our data indicate that KRG can protect against oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death by repressing genes that mediate apoptosis and inflammation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.62-73
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• 2005

Objectives: This study was designed to identify the ergogenic effects of Red ginseng and Paeonia radix mixtures and optimal ratios. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by administering treatments of Red ginseng and Paeonia radix mixtures to rats and by measuring the time to exhaustion by treadmill running. Results: The treatment of Red ginseng and Paeonia radix mixtures to the rats increased the time to exhaustion by treadmill running. The most potent inhibition of Red ginseng and Paeonia radix mixtures on the 5-HT synthesis and the TPH expression in the dorsal raphe was observed at the dose of 200 mg/kg and the optimal ratio of Red ginseng and Paeonia radix for the maximum efficacy was 50:50. Under normal conditions (not exercise), long-term treatment of Red ginseng and Paeonia radix mixtures did not affect the 5-HT synthesis and the TPH expression in the dorsal raphe, suggesting that Red ginseng and Paeonia radix mixtures does not alter serotonin level in the normal rats. The suppressive effect of Red ginseng and Paeonia radix mixtures on the 5-HT synthesis and the TPH expression during exercise is a possible ergogenic mechanism of these mixtures. Conclusions : Red ginseng and Paeonia radix mixtures reduce exercise-induced fatigue, and have the effect of acting as ergogenic aids on the time to exhaustion by treadmill exercise and on 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 1998

In order to stabilize the price of fresh ginseng by extension of seasonal variation and marketing structure, and to reduce the cost of production by works of intensive and short term, studies were carried out. As fresh ginseng of 4 years old by the MA and CA was stored for 12 week at 4$^{\circ}C$, samples were collected after every 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 weeks for processing red ginseng. Color and Sensual characteristics on ginseng steamed red for the quality evaluation are summarized as follows. For the time course of storage with red ginseng, which was processed from fresh one after various treatments, L and b values were decreased, however a value was increased. In particular, absorbance was step-wisely increased. Turbidity was somewhat increased, and non-treatment of preservative were shown 2 times higher of absorbance. Extraction ratio of ethanol-soluble extractives slightly increased by the preservation methods, and as storage period was passed. CA storage and preservative treat merit versus MA and non-preservative treatment gave much stability in ginseng quality. In the sensual characters, sour taste and sweet taste were increased, but fresh taste and rice scorched taste were decreased. Bitter taste was not much changed until end of storage. CA was shown smaller differences than MA in the pH change. Addition of preservative extended the storage time.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.353-358
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• 2023

Sepsis and septic shock affect millions of people worldwide each year with high clinical mortality rates. At present, basic research on sepsis has emerged in an endless stream, but there are few effective clinical translation results. Ginseng, a medicinal and edible representative of Araliaceae plants, contains a variety of biologically active compounds including ginsenosides, alkaloids, glycosides, polysaccharides, and polypeptides. Neuromodulation, anticancer activity, blood lipid regulation, and antithrombotic activity have been linked to ginseng treatment. At present, basic and clinical research have suggested various applications of ginseng in sepsis. In view of the different effects of various ginseng components on the pathogenesis of sepsis, and in order to further understand and develop the possible value of ginseng in sepsis, this manuscript reviews the application of various components of ginseng in the treatment of sepsis in recent years.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.33-37
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• 2011

Objectives: To report the effect of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture on the lung cancer patient. Methods: Treatment of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture was conducted on the patient during 7 months. Pharmacopuncture therapy was done twice a week with a dosage of 2ml per each treatment. Computed Topography(CT) was performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Results: After the treatment of 7 months, chest CT revealed the mass size was decreased. Conclusions: This case provides us a possibility that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture offers potential benefits for lung cancer patient.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.391-395
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• 2012

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that can affect any hair-bearing area. AA is known to be caused by immunological disorder but still, the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Many therapeutic modalities have been used to treat alopecia areata, with variable efficacy and safety profiles. Unfortunately, none of these agents is definitely curative or preventive alone. We studied hair growth efficacy and safety of Korean red ginseng (KRG) in AA comparing corticosteroid intra-lesional injection (ILI) alone patient group with ILI with KRG taking patient group using Folliscope 2.5 for 12 wk. Herein, we would like to report the efficacy of KRG in the treatment of AA and recommend KRG as a useful complimentary food for gaining efficacy of treatment for AA.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.23 no.3_4
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• pp.173-179
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• 1979

A dose, 1g/kg of ethanol produced experimental hyperuricemia in mouse. Ginseng saponins were tested for their ability to alter the hepatic xanthine oxidase activity and the blood level of uric acid in the ethanol-treated mouse. Intraperitoneal injection of ginseng saponin 4mg/kg markedly decreased the xanthine oxidase activity in the ethanol-treated mouse liver. It was also observed that ginseng saponin reduced the blood concentration of uric acid in experimentally induced hyperuricemia by alcohol treatment. In vitro, it was found that a low concentration of ginseng saponin in the reaction mixture incresed the hepatic xanthine oxidase activity, while a high concentration inhibited both enzyme preparations of normal and ethanol treated mice. In contrast with the xanthine oxidase, uricase activity was not influenced by ginseng saponin as well as in vivo. These results suggest there is a possibility that ginseng saponin may have some therapeutic effect on gout and other hyperuricemia syndrome.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.260-267
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• 2009

Recent studies have shown that Panax ginseng has a variety of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Homocysteine (Hcy), which is derived from methionine, has been closely associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, whether the in-vivo long-term co-administration of ginseng total saponins (GTS), active ingredients of Panax ginseng, with L-methionine (Met) inhibits methionine-induced hyperhomocysteine (HHcy) and H-Hcy-induced cardiovascular dysfunctions was investigated, and it was found that the plasma Hcy level, which was measured after 30 and 60 days, in the GTS+Met co-administration group was more significantly reduced than in the Metalone-treatment group. The left-ventricle (LV) wall thickness of the heart was likewise examined in each treatment group, and it was found that the co-administration of GTS with Met significantly reduced the Met-induced LV wall thickness. The results of the study indicate that the in-vivo long-term co-administration of GTS with Met not only inhibited H-Hcy induced by long-term Met-alone administration but also attenuated the H-Hcy-induced cardiovascular dysfunctions in rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 1995

Effect of ginseng polysaccharide fraction was examined for $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. In $CCl_4$-injured primary cultured rat hepatocytes, treatment of the polysaccharide fraction (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 mg/ml) significantly Inhibited the release of LDH and GOT into the culture medium in a dose-dependent manner. Oral administration of the polysaccharide fraction (100, 200 mg/kg) inhibited the decrease of body weight and the increase of the ratio of liver to body weight in $CCl_4$-intoxicated rats. Elevation of GOT, GPT and ALP activity in the serum by $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was suppressed by administration of ginseng polysaccharide fraction. MDA levels increased in the serum as well as in the liver tissue by treatment with $CCl_4$ showed a tendency to be 연w in the rats given to the polysaccharide fraction. These results suggest that the polysaccharide fraction may be active substance responsible for antihepatotoxic effect of Panax ginseng.