GINSENG EXTRACT
Ginseng is the most famous Chinese herb. It is the most recognized plant used in
traditional medicine. Various forms of ginseng have been used in medicine for more than
7000 years. Several species grow around the world , and though some are preferred for
specific benefits, all are considered to have similar properties as an effective general
rejuvenator.
Ginseng is native to China, Russia, North Korea, Japan and some areas of North America.
The roots are called Jin-chen, meaning like a man', in reference to their resemblance to
the shape of the human body.
Ginseng has been used in the Orient for several thousand years as an 'adaptogenic' as
well as a restorative agent. It has been used to treat nervous disorders, anaemia,
wakefulness, dvosnoea. foreetfulness and confusion, oroloneed thirst, decreased libido.
chronic fatigue, angina and nausea. There is an extensive animal literature dealing with the effects of ginseng or
cardiovascular system, central nervous system, endocrine system, metabolism and immune system.
PHARMACOLOGY
There is extensive literature on the beneficial effects of ginseng and its constituents. The major active components
of ginseng are ginsenoides, a diverse group ofsteroidal saponins, which demonstrate the ability to target a myriad of
tissues, producing an array of pharmacological responses. Since ginsenoides and other constituents of ginseng
produce effects that are different from one another, and a single ginsenoide initiates multiple actions in the same
tissue, the overall pharmacology of ginseng is complex. The ability of ginsenoides to independently target
multireceptor systems at the plasma membrane, as well as to activate intracellular steroid receptors, may explain
some pharmacological effects.
USE IN CLINICAL MEDICINE
Panax ginseng occupies an important place among the tonic remedies of oriental
medicine. Pharmacological investigations show that crude ginsenoides can increase
non specific resistance of an organism to outward influences. Ginseng is a drug that
contains many derivatives with different pharmacological properties, which could be
useful in clinical medicine. The drug has a wide range of pharmacological and
therapeutic actions, it acts on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and
endocrine secretion, promotes immune function and metabolism, possesses
bimodulation action, anti-stress and anti-ageing activities.
A) Role In Exercise Tolerance
Herbs have been used throughout history to enhance physical performance, but scientific scrutiny with controlled
clinical trials has only recently been used to study such effects. Controlled studies of Asian ginsengs found
improvements in exercise performance in large number of subjects including older subjects. Improvements in
muscular strength, maximal oxygen uptake, work capacity, fuel homeostasis, serum tactate, heart rate, visual
auditory reaction times, alertness and psychomotor skills also has been repeatedly documented.'5 Studies with
animals show that ginseng, or its active components, may prolong survival to physical or chemical stress, potential
efficacy of ginseng use in the enhancement of physical performance and modification of fatigue states." Prolonged
treatment with Ginseng increases the capillary density and the oxidative capacity of the muscles with greater
aerobic potential in a manner similar to the performance of physical exercise17 Ginseng has been used by athletes as
an ergogenic aid for many years, but there is an absence of compelling research evidence in support of its use for this
purpose. Indeed, most of the support favouring the use of ginseng to enhance physical performance is of a
testimonial nature. Studies with animals show that ginseng or its active components may prolong survival to physical
or chemical stress''Ginseng treatment improves psychomotor performance at rest and during graded exercise in
young atheletes.'"
B) Role In Diabetes
Ginseng, one of the most widely used herbs, is hypothesized to play a role in carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes
mellitus. Studies have shown that ginseng attenuated postprandial glycamia in both diabetic and non-diabetic
subjects. The mechanism by which ginseng lowers the blood glucose concentration is unknown. There are several
plausible hypotheses that may work independently or in concert. First, a modulating effect of ginseng on digestion
may be involved. An inhibition of the neuronal discharge frequency of the gastric compartment of the brainstem in
rats by American ginseng has been observed. Inhibition of gastric secretion by Asian ginseng has also been observed
in rats. The result of both may be to slow the digestion of food, decreasing the rate of carbohydrate absorption into
portal hepatic circulation."
Second, an effect on glucose transport may be involved. Asian ginseng has been shown both to increase glucose-
transporter-2 protein in the liver of normal and hyperglycaemic mice and glucose uptake in erythrocytes in a dose
dependant manner. This effect may be mediated by Nitric oxide.
Last, ginseng may exert its effect through modulation of insulin secretion. Some ginseng fractions have been noticed
to increase the blood insulin level and glucose stimulated insulin secretion in diabetic mice. This effect may also be
mediated by Nitric oxide."
Thus Ginseng has a positive role in the treatment of non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In people
who already have established NIDDM, an improvement in the glycaemic control with oral hypoglycaemic and
insulin have been shown to decrease the development and progression of microvascular complications. If this
improvement in control could be affected by ginseng, then it proves to be an useful adjunct to conventional
treatment of diabetes mellitus."
C) Other Effects
Ginseng also has a role in the improvement of sexual performance by improving the erectile function and increasing
the sperm motility. Ginseng also has a role in cancer, hypertension- by improving the endothelial function,
antioxidant and enhancing memory.
In summary ginseng has been used in traditional medicine to enhance stamina and capacity to cope with fatigue and
physical stress. Major active components are ginsenoides, which are mainly triterpenoid dammarane derivatives.
There is extensive literature that deals with the effects of ginseng on the CNS (memory, learning, and behaviour),
neruoendocrine function, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, immune function and the cardiovascular systems.
Recent studies suggest that the antioxidant and organ-protective actions of ginseng are linked to enhanced nitric
oxide (NO) synthesis. Enhanced NO synthesis thus could contribute to ginseng associated vasodilation and perhaps
also to an aphrodisiac action.