Panax Ginseng (panax + ginseng)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Panax ginseng not an effective ergogenic aid

FOCUS ON ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH, Issue 4 2003
Article first published online: 14 JUN 2010
[source]


Protective role of Panax ginseng extract standardized with ginsenoside Rg3 against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in rats

JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
Fathia Mannaa
Abstract Acrylamide (ACR) is an industrial neurotoxic chemical that has been recently found in carbohydrate-rich foods cooked at high temperatures. ACR was designated as a probable human carcinogen by IARC (1994) and USEPA (1988). Panax ginseng extract has efficacies such as anticancer, antihypertension, antidiabetes and antinociception. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the protective effects of Panax ginseng extract against ACR-induced toxicity in rats. Sixty adult Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into six groups included a control group, a group treated orally with ACR (50 mg kg,1 body weight; b.w.) for 11 days, a group treated orally with Panax ginseng extract (20 mg kg,1 b.w.) for 11 days and groups treated orally with Panax ginseng for 11 days before, during or after 11 days of ACR treatment. The results indicated that treatment with ACR alone resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation level and LDH activity in brain homogenate as well as in serum CK activity, whereas it caused a significant decrease in SOD activity and a small but statistically insignificant decrease in Na+K+ -ATPase activity in brain homogenate. Serum serotonin, corticosterone, T3, T4, TSH, estradiol, progesterone and plasma adrenaline were significantly decreased in ACR-treated rats. Treatment with Panax ginseng before, during or after ACR treatment reduced or partially antagonized the effects induced by ACR towards the normal values of controls. It could be concluded that Panax ginseng extract exhibited a protective action against ACR toxicity and it is worth noting that treatment with Panax ginseng extract before or at the same time as ACR treatment was more effective than when administered after ACR treatment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2003
C. I. Coleman Pharm D
SummaryPanax ginseng is marketed and used to maintain natural energy, increase mental and physical abilities, improve mood and promote general health and well-being. Panax ginseng has been studied in a number of randomized clinical trials investigating its effect on physical and psychomotor performance, cognitive function, immunomodulation, diabetes mellitus and herpes simples type-II infections. Equivocal results have been demonstrated for many of these indications. P. ginseng is also commonly used to promote quality of life (QoL). As a result, ginseng's effect on QoL has become an increasingly important endpoint in clinical trials. We reviewed all studies (n = 9) that determined the effect of P. ginseng on QoL. P. ginseng's has been evaluated at dosages of 80,400 mg. Study duration has spanned from 2 to 9 months. Several QoL measures have been used, ranging from widely accepted core instruments to unpublished investigator-derived questionnaires. In addition, many of the investigators utilized ginseng extracts that were supplemented with vitamins and minerals while others used only standardized ginseng extract. Populations evaluated also differed in terms of underlying morbidity. Nearly every study evaluated (n = 8) demonstrated some degree of QoL improvement. Beneficial effects were evident within instrument summary component scores but improvement in overall composite scores of QoL was rarely seen. However, findings were equivocal. While populations evaluated varied in terms of underlying morbidity, there did not appear to be a substantial difference in their response to ginseng with respect to QoL. Despite some positive results, improvement in overall health-related quality of life cannot, given the current research, be attributed to P. ginseng. However, the possibility that various facets of QoL may have improved and the potential of early transient effects cannot be discounted. [source]


Neuroprotective effect of HT008-1, a prescription of traditional Korean medicine, on transient focal cerebral ischemia model in rats

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2010
Youngmin Bu
Abstract HT008-1 is one of the prescriptions used in Traditional Korean Medicine for the treatment of mental and physical weakness. It is composed of Panax ginseng, Acanthopanax senticosus, Angelica sinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis, which have been reported to have various pharmacological effects on the central nervous system. The study investigated whether HT008-1 has neuroprotective effects in a focal cerebral ischemia rat model. Stroke was induced in rats by 2,h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) followed by 22,h of reperfusion. HT008-1 (30, 100 and 300,mg/kg) and the component herbs (300,mg/kg) were administered orally twice at 0 and 2,h after ischemia. Oral administration of 300,mg/kg HT008-1 reduced brain infarction by 45.7%, prolonged the latency time by 24.8% in the rotarod test, and enhanced the score by 17.0% in the balance beam test. Only P. ginseng and S. baicalensis showed protective effects, and HT008-1 showed a greater effect than its component herbs. HT008-1 down-regulated the COX-2 and OX-42 expression in the penumbra region. In conclusion, the results show that HT008-1 may be effective in a rat stroke model by an antiinflammatory mechanism and may improve sensory-motor function by reducing damage in the cortex and caudoputamen. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Hypoglycemic effects of malonyl-ginsenosides extracted from roots of Panax ginseng on streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2009
Zhi Liu
Abstract Hypoglycemic effects of malonyl-ginsenosides (MGR), extracted from roots of Panax ginseng, were examined in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. Animals received daily intravenous injections of MGR in doses of 30, 60, 120 mg/kg. At a dose of 120 mg/kg, MGR reduced the fasting blood glucose level of diabetic mice by 77.8% (76.7 ± 8.5 mg/dl versus 345.2 ± 35.8 mg/dl, P < 0.01). The same dose also showed a marked improvement in glucose tolerance of 80% (75.3 ± 10.8 mg/dl versus 375.6 ± 43.3 mg/dl, P < 0.01) in diabetic mice after four days. The alkali hydrolysis productions of MGR, ginseng panaxadiol (PDS), malonic acid and a mixture of malonic acid with PDS, showed no effects on fasting blood glucose levels indicated the hypoglycemic effect of MGR relied on their unique esterified chemical structures. The findings from this study suggest that MGR extracted from Panax ginseng may be prescribed as adjunct to drug treatment for controlling diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


CKBM stimulates MAPKs but inhibits LPS-induced IFN- , in lymphocytes

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 9 2006
Anthony S.L. Chan
Abstract CKBM is an herbal formula composed of five Chinese medicinal herbs (Panax ginseng, Schisandra chinensis, Fructus crataegi, Ziziphus jujuba and Glycine max) supplemented with processed Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It has been demonstrated that CKBM is capable of triggering the release of IL-6 and TNF, from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In this report, T-lymphocytic Sup-T1 cells and B-lymphocytic Ramos cells were utilized as cellular models to investigate how CKBM regulates intracellular signaling as well as the production of cytokines. CKBM stimulated the three major subgroups of mitogen-activated protein kinase (i.e. ERK, JNK and p38) in Sup-T1 cells, but only triggered the activation of ERK and p38 in Ramos cells. The induction of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) activations varied with the duration of treatment, as well as with the dosage of CKBM. In terms of cytokine production, treatment of CKBM alone did not trigger the release of IL-1, and IFN,, but it suppressed the LPS-induced IFN, production from both Sup-T1 cells and Ramos cells. In view of the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicines in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, the results suggest that CKBM may exhibit its immuno-modulatory effects by regulating intracellular signaling as well as cytokine production in different lymphocytic cell types. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Panax ginseng reduces adriamycin-induced heart failure in rats

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2005
Jyh-Sheng You
Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Panax ginseng on adriamycin-induced heart failure. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, adriamycin, ginseng and adriamycin with ginseng. Adriamycin (cumulative dose, 15 mg/kg) was administered to rats in six equal intraperitoneal injections over a period of 2 weeks. Ginseng was administered via an oral feeding tube once a day for 30 days (cumulative dose, 150 g/kg). At the end of the 5 week post-treatment period, the hearts of the rats were used to study the synthesis rates of DNA, RNA and protein, myocardial antioxidants and lipid peroxidation. At the end of 3 weeks treatment, heart failure was characterized by ascites, congested liver and depressed cardiac function. Nucleic acid as well as protein synthesis was inhibited, lipid peroxidation was increased and myocardial glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased indicating adriamycin-induced heart failure. In contrast, the administration of ginseng, before and concurrent with adriamycin, significantly attenuated the myocardial effects, lowered the mortality as well as the amount of ascites, increased in myocardial glutathione peroxidase, macromolecular biosynthesis and superoxide dismutase activities, with a concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation. These findings indicated that ginseng may be partially protective against adriamycin-induced heart failure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Experimental therapy of prostate cancer with novel natural product anti-cancer ginsenosides,

THE PROSTATE, Issue 8 2008
Wei Wang
Abstract BACKGROUND Ginseng and its components exert various biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, and anti-tumor activity, and recent research has focused on their value in human cancer prevention and treatment. We recently isolated 25-hydroxyprotopanaxadiol (25-OH-PPD) and 25-hydroxyprotopanaxatriol (25-OH-PPT) from Panax ginseng and evaluated their anti-cancer activity in vitro. METHODS We compared the effects of the two compounds on human prostate cancer LNCaP and PC3 cells in vitro and in a mouse PC3 xenograft tumor model. We also accomplished a preliminary determination of the mechanisms of action of the compounds. RESULTS 25-OH-PPD, but not 25-OH-PPT, inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and proliferation, induced apoptosis, and led to arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In nude mice bearing PC3 xenograft tumors, 25-OH-PPD inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner and could be safely combined with chemotherapeutic agents (taxotere and gemcitabine) and radiation therapy to improve the anti-tumor effects. Further, in both PC3 and LNCaP cell lines, 25-OH-PPD increased expression of p21, p27, and Bax, induced PARP cleavage and activated caspases. The compound also reduced expression of MDM2, E2F1, Bcl2, cdk2/4/6, and cyclin D1, which correlated with the cell cycle arrest in G1 and the decrease in proliferation. Moreover, 25-OH-PPD demonstrated low toxicity to non-cancer cells and no observable host toxicity in animals either alone or in combination with conventional therapies. CONCLUSIONS The newly identified ginsenoside 25-OH-PPD may have potential as a novel prostate cancer therapeutic agent. Prostate 68:809,819, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Immunopotentiation on murine spleen lymphocytes induced by polysaccharide fraction of Panax ginseng via upregulating calcineurin activity

APMIS, Issue 4 2010
SONG-DONG ZHANG
Zhang S-D, Yin Y-X, Wei Q. Immunopotentiation on murine spleen lymphocytes induced by polysaccharide fraction of Panax ginseng via upregulating calcineurin activity. APMIS 2010; 118: 288,96. Calcineurin (CN), a unique Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase, plays a pivotal role in the activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes. Based on the effective molecular screening model established in our laboratory, we found that a part of polysaccharides from the stem and leaves of Panax ginseng, termed PGP-SL, could activate CN activity. Subsequently, we investigated whether PGP-SL also has immunological competence on murine spleen lymphocytes. In the present study, we demonstrated that PGP-SL could significantly promote in vitro spleen lymphocyte proliferation in the absence of either concanavalin A or LPS in a concentration-dependent manner at concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 ,g/ml (p < 0.001). In addition, the proliferation of cyclosporin A (CsA)-treated spleen lymphocytes was also significantly promoted in the same pattern (p < 0.001); the production of IL-2 was elevated and the effect appeared as early as 24 h after PGP-SL treatment. The results of RT-PCR also indicated that the IL-2 mRNA level was markedly enhanced, particularly at PGP-SL concentrations of 300 and 500 ,g/ml, and Fura-2/AM fluorescence probe analysis showed that PGP-SL could dramatically increase the intracellular free calcium concentration of spleen lymphocytes, i.e. [Ca2+]i was significantly increased by approximately 181 and 107% at 300 and 500 ,g/ml of PGP-SL, respectively. However, this effect could be totally inhibited by verapamil treatment. Taking our results together, we suggest that PGP-SL exhibits immunopotentiation effects on murine spleen lymphocytes by the Ca2+,CN,NFAT,IL-2 signaling pathway. [source]


Development of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods for the quantitative analysis of herbal medicine in biological fluids: a review

BIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2010
Michael J. Gray
Abstract The development of liquid chromatography,mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and tandem MS/MS for the analysis of bioactive components and their metabolites of herbal medicines in biological fluids is reviewed with the aim of providing an overview of the current techniques and methods used. The issues and challenges associated with various stages of the analytical method development are discussed using Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng as case studies. LC-MS offers selectivity and specificity in both the chromatographic separation and detection steps. This is necessary in order to measure compounds at extremely low concentrations as is often observed in plasma and urine samples. Traditional methods of detection (UV,visible) do not offer sufficient selectivity and specificity needed. The strategies and pitfalls involved with the measurement of such compounds are discussed in this review. Matrix effects, ,unseen' matrix suppression and enhancement ionization effects can significantly reduce the accuracy and precision of the measurement. The impact of the correct choice of chromatography column formats on signal-to-noise ratio is also discussed. Analytical methods from sample preparation to mass spectrometric detection is outlined in order to provide good direction for analysts intent on the measurement of bioavailable compounds from herbal medicines in plasma and urine samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits phenylephrine-induced vascular contraction through induction of nitric oxide synthase

BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
Nak Doo Kim
Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) isolated from Panax ginseng relaxes vessels and exerts a cytoprotective effect. In view of the fact that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in vascular hyporeactivity and immunostimulation, the effects of total ginsenosides (GS) and Rg3 on the vascular responses and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were investigated. Vasocontraction of endothelium-denuded aortic ring was induced by phenylephrine with or without GS or Rg3. The expression of iNOS was assessed by Western blot and RT,PCR analyses. NF- ,B activation was monitored by gel shift, immunoblot and immunocytochemical analyses. Incubation of the endothelium-denuded aortic ring with GS or Rg3 inhibited phenylephrine-induced vasocontraction, which was abrogated by NOS inhibition. GS or Rg3 increased NO production in aortic rings, but Rb1, Rc, Re and Rg1 had no effect. Aortic rings obtained from rats treated with GS or Rg3 responded to phenylnephrine to a lesser extent, while producing NO to a larger extent, than those from control animals. GS or Rg3 induced iNOS in vascular smooth muscle. Rg3 induced iNOS with increase in NO production in Raw264.7 cells. Rg3 increased NF- ,B DNA binding, whose band was supershifted with anti-p65 and anti-p50 antibodies, and elicited p65 nuclear translocation, which was accompanied by phosphorylation and degradation of I- ,B,. PKC regulated iNOS induction by Rg3. In conclusion, Rg3 relaxes vessels as a consequence of NO production, to which iNOS induction contributes, and iNOS induction by Rg3 accompanied NF- ,B activation, which involves phosphorylation and degradation of I- ,B, and nuclear translocation of p65. British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 661,670. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705490 [source]