Abstract

BackgroundKorean red ginseng (KRG) is a processed ginseng from raw ginseng to enhance safety, preservation and efficacy, known having beneficial effects on women’s health due to its estrogen like function. While estrogen supplementation showed some modulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA) has been focused as a potential endocrine disrupting chemical. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety outcomes of KRG against BPA, focusing on female quality of life (QOL). Individual variations in susceptibility to KRG were also investigated with the Sasang Typology, the personalized medicine used for hundred years in Korea.MethodsWe performed a single-blind randomized clinical trial. Study subjects were young women (N = 22), consumed 2.7 g of KRG or placebo per day for 2 weeks and filled up questionnaires regarding gynecologic complaints at the 4 time spots. We analyzed urinary total BPA and malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress biomarker, with GC/MS and HPLC/UVD respectively, and diagnosed their Sasang Typology with the questionnaire for the Sasang constitution Classification (QSCC II).ResultsKRG consumption decreased urinary BPA and MDA levels (ps < 0.05) and alleviated ‘menstrual irregularity’, ‘menstrual pain’, and ‘constipation’ (ps < 0.05). SoEum type (Lesser Yin person) among the Sasang types showed significant alleviation in insomnia, flushing, perspiration and appetite by KRG consumption, rather than other Sasang types. During the intervention, no one experienced any aggravated side effects.ConclusionWe suggest KRG is efficient for protection for female QOL and BPA- exposure and – related oxidative stress. However, individual variation in susceptibility to KRG should be further considered for identifying ideal therapy.Trial registrationKCT0000920.

Highlights

  • Korean red ginseng (KRG) is a processed ginseng from raw ginseng to enhance safety, preservation and efficacy, known having beneficial effects on women’s health due to its estrogen like function

  • We reported that bisphenol A (BPA) induces oxidative biomarkers, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine [24]

  • We investigated the chemopreventive effects of KRG against BPA and individual variations in susceptibility to KRG regarding female quality of life (QOL) to improve and to extend the application of KRG

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Summary

Introduction

Korean red ginseng (KRG) is a processed ginseng from raw ginseng to enhance safety, preservation and efficacy, known having beneficial effects on women’s health due to its estrogen like function. While estrogen supplementation showed some modulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA) has been focused as a potential endocrine disrupting chemical. We examined the efficacy and safety outcomes of KRG against BPA, focusing on female quality of life (QOL). The products of Korean red ginseng (KRG) have been sold over half of functional foods in Korea [1]. It costs approximately 600 million dollars in 2010. Estrogen supplementation showed modulation of an endocrine disrupting organochlorine, 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) in rat bone and uterus [11].

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