Immune Health

Methods:
We isolated ginsenosides by silica gel column chromatography and examined their in vitro and in vivo antiallergic effect on rat peritoneal mast cells and on IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of ginsenoside Rh1 (Rh1) in RAW264.7 cells was investigated.

Results:
Rh1 potently inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells and the IgE-mediated PCA reaction in mice. The inhibitory activity of Rh1 (87% inhibition at 25 mg/kg) on the PCA reaction was found to be more potent than that of disodium cromoglycate (31% inhibition at 25 mg/kg); Rh1 was also found to have a membrane-stabilizing action as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry. It also inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in RAW 264.7 cells, and the activation of the transcription factor, NF-kappaB, in nuclear fractions.

Conclusion:
The antiallergic action of Rh1 may originate from its cell membrane-stabilizing and anti-inflammatory activities, and can improve the inflammation caused by allergies. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

PubMed Link – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14739579

The results obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that several botanicals such as Gingko biloba, Centella asiatica, Hippophae rhamnoides, Ocimum sanctum, Panax ginseng, Podophyllum hexandrum, Amaranthus paniculatus, Emblica officinalis, Phyllanthus amarus, Piper longum, Tinospora cordifoila, Mentha arvensis, Mentha piperita, Syzygium cumini, Zingiber officinale, Ageratum conyzoides, Aegle marmelos and Aphanamixis polystachya protect against radiation-induced lethality, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. The fractionation-guided evaluation may help to develop new radioprotectors of desired activities.

PubMed Link – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18188408

Methods:
Twenty-four children undergoing heart surgery for congenital heart defects were randomly assigned to groups C (placebo control, n = 12) and G (1.35 mg/kg ginsenosides compound intravenously before and throughout the course of cardiopulmonary bypass, n = 12). Central venous blood samples were taken before cardiopulmonary bypass and at 60 and 120 minutes after aortic declamping (reperfusion). Gastric intramucosal pH was measured by perioperative tonometry. Plasma lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde, myocardium-specific creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity, diamine oxidase, lipopolysaccharide, and interleukin 6 were all measured.

Results:
Significant decrease in gastric intramucosal pH and increase in plasma diamine oxidase were seen during reperfusion in group C, accompanied by increases in plasma levels of malondialdehyde, lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 6, and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (P < .01 vs before cardiopulmonary bypass). Shen-fu injection significantly attenuated these changes (P < .05). Consequently, fewer patients in group G (2/12) than in group C (7/12) needed postoperative inotropic support. Postoperative intensive care unit stay was shorter in group G than in group C. A tight positive correlation was seen between diamine oxidase and interleukin 6 at 60 minutes after aortic declamping and between diamine oxidase and lipopolysaccharide at 120 minutes after aortic declamping (r = 0.79, P < .0001).

Conclusion:
Ginsenosides compound may attenuate gastrointestinal injury and inhibit inflammatory response after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with congenital heart disease.

PubMed Link – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16077384

However, the results so far are less than ideal. One strategy now is to switch from therapeutic approaches to prevention of cancer by improving lifestyle and by identifying effective natural products as chemopreventive agents. One promising candidate with cancer-preventive effects that are not specific to any organ is Panax ginseng C A Meyer, a herb with a long medicinal history. Its protective influence against cancer has been shown by extensive preclinical and epidemiological studies, but these effects need to be carefully investigated by scientific clinical trials focusing on the major cancer killers stomach, lung, liver, and colorectal cancer.

PubMed Link – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11905620

Methods:
P. ginseng was orally administered to mice once a day for 7 days. The anti-immobility effect of P. ginseng on the FST and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, glucose (Glc); blood urea nitrogen (BUN); latic dehydrogenase (LDH); total protein (TP) and production of cytokines in human T cell line, MOLT-4 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages were investigated.

Results:
After two and seven days, the immobility time was decreased in the P. ginseng administrated mice as compared to the control group; however, this reduction was not significant. In addition, the amount of TP in the blood serum was significantly increased. However, the levels of Glc, BUN, and LDH did not show a significant change. P. ginseng significantly (P<0.05) increased interferon (IFN)-gamma production and expression as compared to control at 48 h in MOLT-4 cells. P. ginseng plus recombinant IFN-gamma instead of P. ginseng alone significantly increased the production of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Interpretation & Conclusion:
Our results suggest that P. ginseng may be useful for an immune promoter. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of its action.

PubMed Link – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17015935

Methods:
Lung adenoma in newborn N:GP (S) mice was induced by a subcutaneous injection of benzo(a)pyrene 0.5 mg. After weaning, ginseng powders or extracts were given in the drinking water for 6 wk. In the 9th wk the incidence and multiplicity of lung adenoma were counted.

Results:
Anticarcinogenic effects were found in 6-year-dried fresh ginseng, 5- and 6-year white ginseng, and 4-, 5-, and 6-year-red ginseng powders. Anticarcinogenic effects were also found in 6-year-dried fresh ginseng, 5- and 6-year-white ginseng, and 4-, 5-, and 6-year-red ginseng extracts. The content of major ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1 showed a little higher tendency in fresh or white ginsengs than red ginseng. This tendency was increased as the cultivation ages were increased. But there was no relationship was found between ginsenoside contents and preparation types or cultivation ages.

Conclusion:
Long-cultivated ginseng and red ginseng contain a higher amount of anticarcinogenic components.

PubMed Link – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9812705