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Ginseng Reported to Prevent Viral Infections

The 11th meeting of the Medical Society for Red Ginseng Research was held in Kobe on March 23. Professor Ichiro Azuma of the Institute of Immunological Science at Hokkaido University reported that ginsenoside, one of the active ingredients of ginseng , has defensive effects against viral infections. In a mouse experimental infection model, three types of saponin ginsenosides were administered orally before the viral infections. When the mice were observed for 20 days, oral administration of ginsenoside Rb2 was found to be effective in defense against infection. Dr. Azuma said that the defensive effects of ginsenoside Rb2 are the result of enhanced mucosal immunity. Sachio Ogita, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University, stressed the usefulness of red ginseng in the treatment of menopausal disorders. Dr. Ogita's group divided 76 women with relatively mild menopausal disorders, all untreated and with unspecified complaints, into four groups depending on dose. They were administered red ginseng powder for 8 weeks. As a result, administration of 3.0 to 4.5 g per day had effects on symptoms such as those resembling vasomotor nerve disorders. In the low dose group given 1.5 g per day, effects on insomnia and depression were observed. Tetsuto Kanzaki of Internal Medicine II, School of Medicine, Chiba University, studied the effects of medicinal ginseng on the production of fibronectin since ginseng is known to affect wound healing and connective tissue metabolism. The results showed that the saponin ingredients of medicinal ginseng promoted the production of fibronectin, one of the components of connective tissue, in fibroblasts. Dr. Kanzaki reported that the mechanism might involve promotion of the production and secretion of TGF-beta-1 by saponins or direct promotion of fibronectin production. - SOURCE : Pharma Japan1996.04.22

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