Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “GINSENG”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,405 records · Page 78Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The cognitive, subjective, and physical effects of a ginkgo biloba/panax ginseng combination in healthy volunteers with neurasthenic complaints.

We evaluated the effects of a Ginkgo biloba/ginseng combination on cognitive function in this 90-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Sixty-four healthy volunteers (aged 40 to 65 years), selected on the basis of fulfilling the ICD-10 F48.0 criteria for neurasthenia, were assigned randomly to four equal dosing groups, receiving 80, 160, or 320 mg of the combination b.i.d. or placebo. Assessments were performed on the day before dosing, and again at Days 1, 30, and 90 at 1 hour after the morning dose and 1 hour after the afternoon dose. The assessments included the Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) computerized assessment system, the Vienna Determination Unit, cycle ergometry, and various questionnaires. The treatments were well tolerated by all volunteers. On Day 90 at 1 hour post morning dosing, dose-related improvements were seen on the CDR tests, the 320 mg dose being significantly superior to placebo. These effects, however, were reversed 1 hour after the afternoon dose, possibly suggesting that a longer inter-dosing interval would be preferable. The 80-mg dose produced a significant benefit on the ergometry assessment of heart rate at maximum load. There were also several supporting changes from other assessments, including an advantage of 320 mg over placebo on the global score from the Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R) at Day 90.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Identification of Panax species in the herbal medicine preparations using gradient PCR method.

In order to identify the existence of Panax species in herbal medicine preparations, the Ginseng specific marker primer was selected and created based on the sequence of Korean ginseng DNA fragment, 359 bp. The gradient PCR was performed on 40 types of the herbal medicines including the 7 types of Araliaceae that are in the same family with the Panax ginseng using the created Ginseng maker primer. As result, Panax notoginseng (Chinese), Panax japonicus (Japanese) and Panax quinquefolius (American), along with Panax ginseng (Korean) were the only ones amplified. However, in the case of Atractylodes lancea, one of the herbal medicines not categorized as Panax species, the DNA was prominently amplified by the Ginseng marker primer. The sequence of the amplified DNA of Atractylodes lancea was identified, resulting in enabling the differentiation from the Panax species by the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP) method. In addition, the results of the gradient PCR performed on the herbal medicine preparations that consists of Panax ginseng showed that 290 bp size of the original DNA fragments of Panax ginseng was amplified on the herbal medicine preparations containing Panax ginseng. Therefore, these results suggest a possibility of creating a new testing method for identifying specific herb medicines using the gradient PCR, a molecular biological method not only on Panax ginseng, but also on other herbal medicines and herbal medicine preparations.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Enhanced secondary metabolite biosynthesis by elicitation in transformed plant root system: effect of abiotic elicitors.

Plants generally produce secondary metabolites in nature as a defense mechanism against pathogenic and insect attack. In this study, we applied several abiotic elicitors in order to enhance growth and ginseng saponin biosynthesis in the hairy roots of Panax ginseng. Generally, elicitor treatments were found to inhibit the growth of the hairy roots, although simultaneously enhancing ginseng saponin biosynthesis. Tannic acid profoundly inhibited the hairy root growth during growth period. Also, ginseng saponin content was not significantly different from that of the control. The addition of selenium at inoculum time did not significantly affect ginseng saponin biosynthesis. However, when 0.5 mM selenium was added as an elicitor after 21 d of culture, ginseng saponin content and productivity increased to about 1.31 and 1.33 times control levels, respectively. Also, the addition of 20 microM NiSO4 resulted in an increase in ginseng saponin content and productivity, to about 1.20 and 1.23 times control levels, respectively, and also did not inhibit the growth of the roots. Sodium chloride treatment inhibited hairy root growth, except at a concentration of 0.3% (w/v). Increases in the amounts of synthesized ginseng saponin were observed at all concentrations of added sodium chloride. At 0.1% (w/v) sodium chloride, ginseng saponin content and productivity were increased to approx 1.15 and 1.13 times control values, respectively. These results suggest that processing time for the generation of ginseng saponin in a hairy root culture can be reduced via the application of an elicitor.

Cell Proliferation↗
PubMed2002

Inhibitory effect of ginsenosides on NMDA receptor-mediated signals in rat hippocampal neurons.

Alternative medicines such as herbal products are increasingly being used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. In spite of some beneficial effects of ginseng on the CNS, little scientific evidence shows at the cellular level. In the present study, we have examined the direct modulation of ginseng on the activation of glutamate, especially NMDA, receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. Using fura-2-based digital imaging techniques, we found ginseng total saponins inhibited NMDA-induced but less effectively glutamate-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Ginseng total saponins also modulated Ca2+ transients evoked by depolarization with 50mM KCl along with its own effects on [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 is an active component for ginseng actions on NMDA receptors. The data obtained suggest that the inhibition of NMDA receptors by ginseng, in particular by ginsenoside Rg3, could be one of the mechanisms for ginseng-mediated neuroprotective actions.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene and matK gene sequences of Panax vietnamensis and five related species.

Panax vietnamensis was discovered recently in Vietnam. Its bamboo-like rhizomes, called Vietnamese Ginseng, have attracted considerable attention because of their specific pharmacological activities. In order to define the taxonomic position of this new species and include it in the molecular authentication of Ginseng drugs, the 18S ribosomal RNA gene and matK gene sequences of P. vietnamensis were determined and compared with those of its related taxa, P. japonicus var. major and P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus, besides previously reported P. ginseng, P. japonicus and P. quinquefolius. The 18S rRNA gene sequences were found to be 1809 bps in length. The sequence of P. vietnamensis was identical to that of P. quinquefolius, and presented one base substitution from those of both P. japonicus var. major and P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus. The matK gene sequences of 6 taxa were found to be 1509 bps in length. The sequence of P. vietnamensis differed from those of P. japonicus var. major, P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus, P. ginseng, P. japonicus and P. quinquefolius at 4, 5, 9, 9 and 10 nucleotide positions, respectively. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed by the combined 18S rRNA-matK gene analysis using the maximum parsimony method showed that P. vietnamensis was sympatric with other Panax species and had a close relationship with P. japonicus var. major and P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Molecular authentication of Panax species.

Using conserved plant sequences as primers, the DNA sequences in the ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region have been amplified and determined for six Panax species, P. ginseng C. A. Mey. (Oriental ginseng), P. quinquefolius L. (American ginseng), P. notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen (Sanchi), P. japonicus C. A. Mey. (Japanese ginseng), P. trifolius L. and P. major Ting, as well as two common adulterants of ginseng, Mirabilis jalapa L. and Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. An authentication procedure based upon the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the region is able to differentiate between P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius, and to discriminate the ginsengs from the two common poisonous adulterants. Broader application of this approach to authenticate other morphologically similar Chinese medicinal materials is rationalised.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Reductions in levels of the Alzheimer's amyloid beta peptide after oral administration of ginsenosides.

For millennia, ginseng and some of its components have been used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions, including age-related memory impairment. Because of its purported effects and apparently low rate of side effects, ginseng remains one of the top selling natural product remedies in the United States. Given its potential role for improving age-related memory impairments and its common use in China for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms, we analyzed the effects of commercially available preparations of ginseng on the accumulation of the Alzheimer's amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) in a cell-based model system. In this model system, ginseng treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of Abeta in the conditioned medium. We next examined the effects of several compounds isolated from ginseng and found that certain ginsenosides lowered Abeta concentration in a dose-dependent manner with ginsenoside Rg3 having an approximate IC50 of under 25 microM against Abeta42. Furthermore, we found that three of these isolated components, ginsenoside Rg1, Rg3, and RE, resulted in significant reductions in the amount of Abeta detected in the brains of animals after single oral doses of these agents. The results indicate that ginseng itself, or purified ginsenosides, may have similarly useful effects in human disease.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions.

Herbal medicinals are being used by an increasing number of patients who typically do not advise their clinicians of concomitant use. Known or potential drug-herb interactions exist and should be screened for. If used beyond 8 weeks, Echinacea could cause hepatotoxicity and therefore should not be used with other known hepatoxic drugs, such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole. However, Echinacea lacks the 1,2 saturated necrine ring associated with hepatoxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may negate the usefulness of feverfew in the treatment of migraine headaches. Feverfew, garlic, Ginkgo, ginger, and ginseng may alter bleeding time and should not be used concomitantly with warfarin sodium. Additionally, ginseng may cause headache, tremulousness, and manic episodes in patients treated with phenelzine sulfate. Ginseng should also not be used with estrogens or corticosteroids because of possible additive effects. Since the mechanism of action of St John wort is uncertain, concomitant use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is ill advised. Valerian should not be used concomitantly with barbiturates because excessive sedation may occur. Kyushin, licorice, plantain, uzara root, hawthorn, and ginseng may interfere with either digoxin pharmacodynamically or with digoxin monitoring. Evening primrose oil and borage should not be used with anticonvulsants because they may lower the seizure threshold. Shankapulshpi, an Ayurvedic preparation, may decrease phenytoin levels as well as diminish drug efficacy. Kava when used with alprazolam has resulted in coma. Immunostimulants (eg, Echinacea and zinc) should not be given with immunosuppressants (eg, corticosteroids and cyclosporine). Tannic acids present in some herbs (eg, St John wort and saw palmetto) may inhibit the absorption of iron. Kelp as a source of iodine may interfere with thyroid replacement therapies. Licorice can offset the pharmacological effect of spironolactone. Numerous herbs (eg, karela and ginseng) may affect blood glucose levels and should not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Drug Interactions↗
PubMed1999

The antihyperglycaemic blend effect of traditional chinese medicine byakko-ka-ninjin-to on alloxan and diabetic KK-CA(y) mice.

The antihyperglycaemic interaction (blend effect) of component crude drugs included in a traditional Chinese prescription, Byakko-ka-ninjin-to (BN; consisted of five crude drugs, ginseng, anemarrhena,-licorice, gypsum and rice) was investigated using genetically obese diabetic KK-CA(y) mice and alloxan-diabetic mice. The water extract of ginseng, anemarrhena, licorice and gypsum when individually tested markedly lowered blood glucose levels in diabetic animals. Antihyperglycaemic effects of ginseng-anemarrhena and ginseng-licorice combinations were decreased compared with the respective individual-effects. Such decreased effects were partially reversed by adding gypsum or by substituting CaCl(2) for gypsum. The combination of D-O-ANa and glycyrrhizin, respectively the main constituents from ginseng and licorice, also demonstrated a decreased effect compared with the respective individual effects. The CaCl(2) at 0.5 mg/kg (i.p.) was sufficient to partially reverse these effects. These results indicate that antihyperglycaemic effects of BN depend on four crude drugs and Ca(2+) in the blend.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Identification and differentiation of Panax species using ELISA, RAPD and eastern blotting.

Immunochemical and genetic methods have been developed in order to distinguish Panax spp. With the aim of establishing immunochemical methods, two hybridomas (3H4 and 5H8), each secreting a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against proteins of Panax ginseng, were prepared by fusing splenocytes immunized with two kinds of ginseng water-soluble fractions and a hypoxanthine-thymidine-aminopterin-sensitive mouse myeloma cell line, P3-X63-Ag8-U1. MAb 3H4 cross-reacted with four Panax spp., whereas the MAb 5H8 cross-reacted with P. ginseng in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA and western blotting methods using a ginseng water-soluble fraction as the solid-phase antigen were developed for the unambiguous authentication of P. ginseng. A combination of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and eastern blotting analyses using anti-ginsenoside Rb1 and Rgl monoclonal antibodies was used for the identification of P. notoginseng, P. quinquefolius and P. japonicus. RAPD can be used to differentiate the species of Panax from each other. An important parameter used for differentiating P. notoginseng is the absence of ginsenoside Rc in the extract of P. notoginseng with eastern blotting. The combination of these methods enabled a reliable identification of Panax spp.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2005

Ginsenoside Rb1 blocks homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction in porcine coronary arteries.

OBJECTIVE: Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. This study investigates the effects of ginsenoside Rb1, a major constituent of ginseng, on Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction and molecular changes in porcine coronary arteries. METHODS: The coronary arteries were harvested from pig hearts and cut into 5-mm ring segments, which were then divided into six groups, including control, Hcy alone (50 microM), low-dose (1 microM) or high-dose (10 microM) Rb1 alone, and Hcy plus low-dose or high-dose Rb1. After 24-hour incubation, the rings were analyzed for vasomotor function in response to thromboxane A2 analog U46619, bradykinin, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), respectively. In addition, superoxide anion was assessed by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence analysis. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was studied using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent relaxation (bradykinin) was significantly reduced in rings treated with Hcy alone as compared with the control (49.80% vs 71.77%, n = 8, P < .05), whereas neither high-dose nor low-dose Rb1 alone affected the endothelium-dependent relaxation. The low-dose Rb1-Hcy combined group had a partially improved endothelium-dependent relaxation (54.44%), whereas the high-dose Rb1-Hcy combined group showed a complete recovery of endothelium-dependent relaxation (72.89%). There was no substantial difference in maximal contraction induced by U46619 or endothelium-independent relaxation by SNP among all groups (P > .05). Furthermore, superoxide anion was markedly increased by 137% in the Hcy-treated group as compared with the control, but there were no statistically significant changes from the control in all other groups (P > .05). Lastly, eNOS mRNA and protein levels were substantially reduced in the Hcy-treated group, but not in the Rb1-Hcy combined groups. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that ginsenoside Rb1 can effectively block Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction and superoxide anion production as well as eNOS downregulation in porcine coronary arteries. This study suggests that ginseng and its active constituents may have potential clinical applications in controlling Hcy-associated vascular injuries. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and other vascular lesions. It causes endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Ginseng compounds have effects of vasorelaxation and antioxidation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ginsenoside Rb1, a major constituent of ginseng, on Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction and molecular changes in porcine coronary arteries. Our results showed that ginsenoside Rb1 can effectively block Hcy-induced dysfunction of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation as well as superoxide anion production and eNOS downregulation. This study suggests that ginseng compounds may have potential clinical applications in controlling Hcy-associated vascular diseases and other vascular lesions.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed2000

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: a closer look.

The adaptogen concept is examined from an historical, biological, chemical, pharmacological and medical perspective using a wide variety of primary and secondary literature. The definition of an adaptogen first proposed by Soviet scientists in the late 1950s, namely that an adaptogen is any substance that exerts effects on both sick and healthy individuals by 'correcting' any dysfunction(s) without producing unwanted side effects, was used as a point of departure. We attempted to identify critically what an adaptogen supposedly does and to determine whether the word embodies in and of itself any concept(s) acceptable to western conventional (allopathic) medicine. Special attention was paid to the reported pharmacological effects of the 'adaptogen-containing plant' Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae), referred to by some as 'Siberian ginseng', and to its secondary chemical composition. We conclude that so far as specific pharmacological activities are concerned there are a number of valid arguments for equating the action of so-called adaptogens with those of medicinal agents that have activities as anti-oxidants, and/or anti-cancerogenic, immunomodulatory and hypocholesteroletic as well as hypoglycemic and choleretic action. However, 'adaptogens' and 'anti-oxidants' etc. also show significant dissimilarities and these are discussed. Significantly, the classical definition of an adaptogen has much in common with views currently being invoked to describe and explain the 'placebo effect'. Nevertheless, the chemistry of the secondary compounds of Eleutherococcus isolated thus far and their pharmacological effects support our hypothesis that the reported beneficial effects of adaptogens derive from their capacity to exert protective and/or inhibitory action against free radicals. An inventory of the secondary substances contained in Eleutherococcus discloses a potential for a wide range of activities reported from work on cultured cell lines, small laboratory animals and human subjects. Much of the cited work (although not all) has been published in peer-reviewed journals. Six compounds show various levels of activity as anti-oxidants, four show anti-cancer action, three show hypocholesterolemic activity, two show immunostimulatory effects, one has choleretic activity and one has the ability to decrease/moderate insulin levels, one has activity as a radioprotectant, one shows anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities and yet another has shown activity as an antibacterial agent. Some of the compounds show more than one pharmacological effect and some show similar effects although they belong to different chemical classes. Clearly, Eleutherococcus contains pharmacologically active compounds but one wishes that the term adaptogen could be dropped from the literature because it is vague and conveys no insights into the mechanism(s) of action. If a precise action can be attributed to it, then the exact term for said action should obviously be used; if not, we strongly urge that generalities be avoided. Also, comparison of Eleutherococcus with the more familiar Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae), 'true ginseng' has underscored that they differ considerably chemically and pharmacologically and cannot be justifiably considered as mutually interchangeable. Accordingly, we recommend that the designation 'Siberian ginseng' be dropped and be replaced with 'Eleutherococcus'. In the case of both Eleutherococcus and true ginseng, problems inherent in herbal preparation use include inconsistencies not only in terms of indications for use, but in the nomenclature of constituent chemical compounds, standardization, dosage and product labeling. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Animals↗