Effects Of Ginseng Extract Research Articles

Panax ginseng extract prevents UVB-induced skin photodamage by modulating VMP1-mediated ER stress

BackgroundThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a crucial toxic signaling event triggered by chronic exposure to Ultraviolet B radiation (UVB), which significantly exacerbate photodamage responses in the irradiated skin. Therefore, the identification of agents capable of inhibiting ER stress could serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing the unmet clinical needs in the treatment of UVB-induced photodamage. MethodsA UVB-irradiated mouse model was used and topical administration of Panax ginseng extract was carried out for a duration of 9 weeks. Vitamin E was used as a positive control. After 9 weeks of administration, the skin appearance, epidermal hyperplasia, infiltration of inflammatory cells, apoptosis, and collagen content were measured. The keratinocytes were irradiated with 6 mJ/cm2 UVB to establish an in vitro model. The levels of ER stress and apoptosis were investigated both in vivo and in vitro using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence. ResultsAmong the 14 extracts derived from 13 distinct plant species that were screened, Panax ginseng, Prunus mume, and Camellia japonica showed inhibitory effect on UVB-induced ER stress. Notably, Panax ginseng effectively inhibits collagen degradation and apoptosis in both irradiated keratinocytes and Balb/C mice skin. Furthermore, the silencing of VMP1 significantly impeded the cellular protective effect of Panax ginseng extract on UVB-irradiated keratinocytes, indicating that Panax ginseng exerts its protective effects through targeted promotion of VMP1. ConclusionOur data suggest that Panax ginseng extract possess a therapeutical effect on UVB radiation-induced photodamage by promoting VMP1-mediated inhibition of ER stress.

Potential protective effect of Panax ginseng extract on corticosteroid induced myopathy

Potential protective effect of Panax ginseng extract on corticosteroid induced myopathy

Short-Term Panax Ginseng Extract Supplementation Reduces Fasting Blood Triacylglycerides and Oxygen Consumption during Sub-Maximal Aerobic Exercise in Male Recreational Athletes.

Ginseng, a popular herbal supplement among athletes, is believed to enhance exercise capacity and performance. This study investigated the short-term effects of Panax ginseng extract (PG) on aerobic capacity, lipid profile, and cytokines. In a 14-day randomized, double-blind trial, male participants took 500 mg of PG daily. Two experiments were conducted: one in 10 km races (n = 31) and another in a laboratory-controlled aerobic capacity test (n = 20). Blood lipid and cytokine profile, ventilation, oxygen consumption, hemodynamic and fatigue parameters, and race time were evaluated. PG supplementation led to reduced total blood lipid levels, particularly in triacylglycerides (10 km races -7.5 mg/dL (95% CI -42 to 28); sub-maximal aerobic test -14.2 mg/dL (95% CI -52 to 23)), while post-exercise blood IL-10 levels were increased (10 km 34.0 pg/mL (95% CI -2.1 to 70.1); sub-maximal aerobic test 4.1 pg/mL (95% CI -2.8 to 11.0)), and oxygen consumption decreased during the sub-maximal aerobic test (VO2: -1.4 mL/min/kg (95% CI -5.8 to -0.6)). No significant differences were noted in race time, hemodynamic, or fatigue parameters. Overall, PG supplementation for 2 weeks showed benefits in blood lipid profile and energy consumption during exercise among recreational athletes. This suggests a potential role for PG in enhancing exercise performance and metabolic health in this population.

The Effect of Ginseng Extract on Serum Interleukin-6 Levels in Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is the most common cause of death and illness in the world. Increased IL-6 can be used as an early indicator of infection or inflammation. Ginseng is a popular herbal medicine. The anti-inflammatory effect of Ginseng is mediated by its ability to inhibit Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta (NF-kB), a proinflammatory regulator to initiate the synthesis of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. Clinical trial research, quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest approach was carried out on 26 community pneumonia patients who were hospitalized at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta from October 2020 to January 2021 using purposive sampling. The independent variable was Ginseng extract (GinsanaR) at a dose of 2x100 mg and the dependent variable was serum IL-6 levels. Serum IL-6 levels were measured using the Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Mean IL-6 levels in the control group on day 0, day 3, and day 14 were 232,89+156,61 pg/mL, 113,46±83.30 pg/mL and 66.18±66.02 pg/mL, respectively (p=<0.001). Mean IL-6 levels in the treatment group on day 0, day 3, and day 14 were 519,55±609,19 pg/mL, 205.41±329.17 pg/mL and 133,59±291,68 pg/mL, respectively (p=<0.001). Delta IL-6 levels in the control group and the treatment group on day 3 compared to day 0, the mean of the IL-6 control group -119,42±111,70 pg/mL, the mean for the IL-6 treatment group -314,14±532,16 pg/mL; On day 14 compared to day 0, the mean of the IL-6 control group was -166,70±135,54 pg/mL, the mean of the IL-6 treatment group was -385,96±547,10 pg/mL; On day 14 compared to day 3, the mean IL-6 control group was -47.28±47.47, the mean IL-6 control group was -71.82±58.16. The post hoc test (Wilcoxon) obtained a p-value < 0.05, suggesting that Ginseng extract has a significant effect on reducing serum IL-6 serum levels in community pneumonia patients.

The Ginsenoside Rg1 Rescues Mitochondrial Disorders in Aristolochic Acid-Induced Nephropathic Mice.

Chronic exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) leads to renal interstitial fibrosis and nephropathy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the renoprotective effects of Panax ginseng extract (GE) and ginsenoside saponin (GS) on AA-induced nephropathy (AAN) in mice. Eighty female C3H/He mice were randomly divided into eight groups, including normal; AA (3 μg/mL for 56 days); AA with GE (125, 250, or 500 mg/kg/d for 14 days); and AA with important GE ingredients, Rg1, Rb1, or Rd (5 mg/kg/d for 14 days). Compared with the AA group, renal injuries were significantly decreased in the GE (250 mg/kg/d), Rb1, and Rg1 treatment groups. Rg1 exhibited the best renoprotection among all GS-treated groups. There were 24 peaks significantly altered among normal, AA, and AA + Rg1 groups, and four mitochondrial proteins were identified, including acyl-CoA synthetase medium-chain family member 2, upregulated during skeletal muscle growth 5 (Usmg5), mitochondrial aconitase 2 (ACO2), and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Va preprotein (COX5a). We demonstrated for the first time that the AAN mechanism and renoprotective effects of Rg1 are associated with expression of mitochondrial proteins, especially ACO2, Usmg5, and COX5a.

Ultrastructural Changes in Adrenocortical Zona Fasciculate Cells Upon Exposure to Chronic Immobilization Stress and the Ameliorating Effect of Panax Ginseng Extract

Ultrastructural Changes in Adrenocortical Zona Fasciculate Cells Upon Exposure to Chronic Immobilization Stress and the Ameliorating Effect of Panax Ginseng Extract

Effect of Panax ginseng on Carbamazepine Pharmacokinetics in Rabbits.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a well-known drug prescribed to treat epilepsy and the preferred drug for trigeminal neuralgia. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Panax ginseng extract (PGE) on the disposition of CBZ, a CYP3A4 substrate, in rabbits. An in vivo randomized parallel design was used to examine herb-drug interactions in 12 male rabbits distributed into 2 groups. In the 1st group (control group), 6 rabbits (control group) were administered orally with CBZ suspension (30 mg/kg/day) as a single daily dose for 10 days. In the 2nd group (test group), 6 rabbits was treated concomitantly with CBZ and a dose of PGE (2.5 mg/kg/day) at the same time as in the 1st group. Blood samples were withdrawn from the marginal ear vein of the rabbits at intervals of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0, 12.0, and 24.0 h. CBZ had no significantly different pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, namely, Cmax, tmax, AUC0-24, AUC0-∞, t½, and Ke, when it was given alone or concurrently with PGE (p≥0.05). PGE may unlikely interfere with the PK of CBZ when it is co-administered with CBZ. Therefore, PGE can be used safely without precautions or dose monitoring.

Ginseng-Induced Changes to Blood Vessel Dilation and the Metabolome of Rats.

Ginseng consumption has been shown to prevent and reduce many health risks, including cardiovascular disease. However, the ginseng-induced changes in biofluids and tissue metabolomes associated with blood health remain poorly understood. In this study, healthy rats were orally administered ginseng extracts or water for one month. Biofluid and tissue metabolites along with steroid hormones, plasma cytokines, and blood pressure factors were determined to elucidate the relationship between ginseng intake and blood vessel health. Moreover, the effect of ginseng extract on blood vessel tension was measured from the thoracic aorta. Ginseng intake decreased the levels of blood phospholipids, lysophosphatidylcholines and related enzymes, high blood pressure factors, and cytokines, and induced vasodilation. Moreover, ginseng intake decreased the level of renal oxidized glutathione. Overall, our findings suggest that ginseng intake can improve blood vessel health via modulation of vasodilation, oxidation stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the decrease in renal oxidized glutathione indicated that ginseng intake is positively related with the reduction in oxidative stress-induced renal dysfunction.

Role of Panax Ginseng as an Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective after Liver Toxicity caused by Flutamide in Adult Male Rats

Aim: This study was conducted to determine antioxidant, hepatoprotective and anti – inflammatory effects of panax ginseng extract against hepatotoxic effect of flutamide, a drug widely used in the treatment of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Thirty rats (weight 200-300 g) were used and had access to water and food in the animal house for two week. The rats were divided randomly into six equal groups: group (A): received normal saline as control, group(B): received flutamide (25 mg/kg b.wt) orally for 7 days, group (C): injected p. ginseng extract (200 mg / kg b.wt) intraperitonialy daily for 30 days, group (D):injected p. ginseng extract (400mg/kg b.wt) intrapretonialy daily for 30 days, group (E):received flutamide (25mg/kg b.wt) orally for 7 days with p. ginseng extract (200 mg / kg b.wt) intrapretonialy daily for 30 days, group (F): received flutamide (25mg/kg b.wt) orally for 7days with p. ginseng extract (400 mg/kg b.wt) intrapretonialy daily for 30 days. In this study, we assessed the hepatoprotective effect of red ginseng in rats treated with flutamide. Serum concentrations of the hepatic marker enzymes alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and histopathological analysis have been performed for this purpose. The hepatic antioxidant status was assessed using measurement of GSH levels. Results: Administration of flutamide to adult male rats causes severe hepatic injury. Hepatosomatic index, ALT and AST were significantly increased in comparison with control and ginseng treated groups. While a significant decrease in the contents of reduced hepatic glutathione (GSH) was observed Histological examination of liver tissues showed that flutamide caused significant increase in the diameter of central vein, bloody congestion in the central vein with infiltration of Inflammatory cells, swelling of hepatocytes, narrowing of blood sinusoids and vacoules appear inside the hepatocytes. Conclusion: The results of this current study indicate that the administration of ginseng (200,400 mg / kg b.w) to flutamide treated animals resulted in an improvement in the histological picture of the liver as well as biochemical parameters, mainly through down regulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

The Effect of Panax Ginseng on Carbamazepine Pharmacokinetics in Rabbits

Objectives Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a well-known drug prescribed to treat epilepsy and the preferred drug for trigeminal neuralgia. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Panax ginseng extract (PGE) on the disposition of CBZ, a CYP3A4 substrate, in rabbits. Materials and methods An in vivo randomized parallel design was used to examine herb-drug interactions in 12 male rabbits distributed into 2 groups. In the 1st group (control group), 6 rabbits (control group) were administered orally with CBZ suspension (30 mg/kg/day) as a single daily dose for 10 days. In the 2nd group (test group), 6 rabbits was treated concomitantly with CBZ and a dose of PGE (2.5 mg/kg/day) at the same time as in the 1st group. Blood samples were withdrawn from the marginal ear vein of the rabbits at intervals of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0, 12.0, and 24.0 h. Results CBZ had no significantly different pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, namely, Cmax, tmax, AUC0-24, AUC0-∞, t½, and Ke, when it was given alone or concurrently with PGE (p≥0.05). Conclusion PGE may unlikely interfere with the PK of CBZ when it is co-administered with CBZ. Therefore, PGE can be used safely without precautions or dose monitoring.

The Inhibitory Effect of Panax Ginseng Extract on Amyloid-like Fibril Formation of Trypsin in Aqueous Ethanol.

In case of several chronic diseases, prevention is could be more effective than treatment. Functional foods that contain significant amounts of bioactive components gained considerable attention not only in traditional but in modern medicine as well. We have investigated how P. ginseng extract inhibits the in vitro formation of amyloid-like fibrils of phenylmethylsulfonyl- trypsin (PMS-trypsin) in 60% ethanol at pH 7.0. The model system used is non-physiological, but it is capable of detecting the anti-amyloidogenic effect of the various agents. The main objective of this study was to examine the possible inhibitory effect of ginseng extract on amyloid-like fibril formation of trypsin in aqueous ethanol. The amyloid formation and aggregation kinetics of PMS-trypsin was studied by turbidity measurements, Congo Red (CR) binding assays, size exclusion chromatography and Electronic Circular Dichroism (ECD) measurements and the shapes of amyloid fibrils became visible by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). In the presence of 500-fold diluted P. ginseng extract in the incubation mixture, the absorption at 350 nm decreased to 47.1% after incubation for 24 h, compared relative to the sample which contained no additives. CR binding experiments suggested that the aggregates in our samples have amyloid-like properties, and P. ginseng extract inhibits the amyloid-like fibril formation of PMS-trypsin depending on concentration. Our results show that the ginseng extract does not bind to the fibrils. In the absence of P. ginseng extracts large sized colloid aggregates were abundant. Adding P. ginseng extracts to our samples decreased the light dispersion of the solution. This is due to the decrease of the rate of the aggregation or to the smaller size of the aggregates evolved. Our results show that the presence of ginseng extract helps to maintain the native structure of the protein. In the presence of 500-fold diluted P. ginseng extract, TEM images demonstrated, that P. ginseng extract has inhibitory effect on the formation of amyloid-like fibrils of PMS-trypsin. The results indicated that P. ginseng extract significantly inhibits the formation of amyloid-like fibrils of PMS-trypsin in aqueous ethanol, and helps to maintain the native structure of the protein. The rate of inhibition depends on concentration. P. ginseng extract is an efficient antiamyloidogenic agent.

Panax ginseng extract attenuates neuronal injury and cognitive deficits in rats with vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Panax ginseng is a slow-growing perennial plant. Panax ginseng extract has numerous biological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antistress activities. Panax ginseng extract also has a cognition-enhancing effect in rats with alcohol-induced memory impairment. In this study, we partially occluded the bilateral carotid arteries in the rat to induce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, a well-known model of vascular dementia. The rats were then intragastrically administered 50 or 100 mg/kg Panax ginseng extract. Morris water maze and balance beam tests were used to evaluate memory deficits and motor function, respectively. Protein quantity was used to evaluate cholinergic neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells. Western blot assay was used to evaluate protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, Bcl-2 and Bax. Treatment with Panax ginseng extract for 8 weeks significantly improved behavioral function and increased neuronal density and VEGF and bFGF protein expression in the hippocampal CA3 area. Furthermore, Panax ginseng extract reduced the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive cells, and it decreased apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax protein expression. The effect of Panax ginseng extract was dose-dependent and similar to that of nimodipine, a commonly used drug for the treatment of vascular dementia. These findings suggest that Panax ginseng extract is neuroprotective against vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, and therefore might have therapeutic potential for preventing and treating the disease.

Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng) Potentiates the Inhibitory Actions of Testosterone on Obesity and Adipogenesis in High Fat Diet-Fed Castrated Mice

It has been suggested that ginseng is beneficial for ameliorating the aging males symptoms, such as weight gain, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, and depression, in elderly men with testosterone deficiency. We thus investigated the effects of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer; Araliaceae) on obesity in a mouse model of testosterone deficiency (castrated C57BL/6J mice). The effects of ginseng extract (GE) and/or testosterone on obesity and adipogenesis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed castrated C57BL/6J mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes were examined using in vivo and in vitro approaches. After feeding mice a HFD for 8 weeks, we found that mice also receiving GE and/or testosterone showed decreased body weight, adipose tissue mass, adipocyte size, and hepatic lipid accumulation compared with untreated HFD-fed mice. Expression of adipogenic genes (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and aP2) was decreased by GE and/or testosterone in adipose tissues. Consistent with the in vivo data, lipid accumulation and the mRNA expression of adipogenesis genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were decreased by GE, ginsenosides, and testosterone. The inhibitory effects of GE (or ginsenosides) were comparable to those of testosterone, and the effects of co-treatment with GE (or ginsenosides) and testosterone were greater than those of testosterone alone in vivo and in vitro. Our results indicate that ginseng may be able to potentiate the inhibitory effects of testosterone on obesity and adipogenesis in HFD-fed castrated mice, providing possible therapeutic implications in men with testosterone deficiency.

Hormonal Changes in BALB/c Mice During Aflatoxins Exposure produced From Aspergillus flavus and the Protective Effects of Panax ginseng Extract.

The aim of the present study to identify the influence of aflatoxins (9mg/kgb.w) in the sum of hormone levels Total thyroxin, Testosterone and Luteinizing hormonein BALB/c mice and the protective effects of pretreatment of the three concentrations of Panax ginseng(150mg / kg b.w) , (100mg / kg b.w) and (50mg / kg b.w) At the end of administrated interval, the laboratory animals had weighted and killed to obtain blood samples in order toidentify the changes in the level of thyroid hormones T4 as well as testosterone and Luteinizing hormonethe results showed as follows: 1- Reducing in the level of hormone T4 , testosterone and Luteinizing hormone LH in the blood serum of the aflatoxins AFs (9mg/kgb.w) animals group when compared with control. 2- Increasing in the level of T4, testosterone and Luteinizing hormone LH of each Animals administrated pretreatment with Panax ginseng at the tree concentrations. 3- The best protective effects against Aflatoxins in current study done by the concentrations (150mg / kg b.w) of Panax ginseng extract.

Modulation of radiation-induced alterations in oxidative stress and cytokine expression in lung tissue by Panax ginseng extract.

We investigated the modulating effect of Panax ginseng extract (PGE) on radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) by measuring early changes in oxidative stress levels, cytokine expression, and the histopathology of mouse lung tissue treated with high dose of X-ray radiation. The mice were pretreated with 25, 50, and 100-mg/kg doses of PGE orally for four consecutive days, and their thoraces were then exposed to 15-Gy X-ray radiation 1 h after the last administration of PGE on day 4. The pretreatments with 50 and 100 mg/kg PGE led to significant reductions in the elevation of lipid peroxidation levels at 2 and 10 days, respectively, after irradiation. The mice pretreated with PGE exhibited dose-dependent reductions in the irradiation-induced production of tumor necrosis factor α and transforming growth factor β1 cytokines 10 days after irradiation, with these reductions nearly reaching the control levels after the 100-mg/kg dose. Furthermore, together with providing significant protection against reductions in catalase activity and glutathione content, pretreatment with 100 mg/kg PGE resulted in a marked attenuation of the severity of inflammatory changes in lung tissue 10 days after irradiation. A high pretreatment dose of PGE may be a useful pharmacological approach for protection against RILI.

Pharmacological Effect of Panax ginseng Extract Standardized with Ginsenoside Rg3 on Mating Behavior of Male Rats Treated with Dopamine Antagonists

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Blood pressure lowering effect of Korea ginseng derived ginseol K-g1.

We investigated the effect of Panax ginseng extract, which is rich in the ginsenoside protopanaxatriol (Ginseol K-g1), on blood pressure (BP). Adults over 20 years old with a systolic BP (SBP) between 120 and 159 mm Hg or a diastolic BP (DBP) between 80 and 99 mm Hg were included. At the end of an initial 2-week washout period, the patients were divided into three groups: the control group (placebo), the low-dose Ginseol K-g1 group (100 mg), and the high-dose Ginseol K-g1 (300 mg) group. The primary end point was the difference in seated SBP (seSBP) and seated DBP (seDBP) changes between the placebo and Ginseol K-g1 groups after 8 weeks of treatment. A total of 90 subjects participated in the study (mean age; 55.2 ± 11.8 years, 43 males). At week 8, levels of seSBP and seDBP were significantly decreased from baseline in the high-dose Ginseol K-g1 group (-3.1 mm Hg and -2.3 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant decrease in seSBP or seDBP in the control or low-dose Ginseol K-g1 groups. No significant difference of seSBP and seDBP was identified among the three treatment groups at week 8. In patients who had a seSBP ≥ 130 mm Hg or an seDBP ≥ 85 mm Hg, the high dose of Ginseol K-g1 decreased the BP compared with the control group at week 4; however, there was no significant difference at week 8. The proportions of patients who experienced adverse events were comparable among the treatment groups. In conclusion, Ginseol K-g1 has a favorable effect on BP after 4 weeks of treatment, especially at a high dose. However, the effect is not maintained over 8 weeks. (Clinical trial registration information is available at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov , identifier: NCT01483430.).

Effects of Panax ginseng extract on osteoporosis in aged rats

Recent research has confirmed that Panax ginseng (PG) has effect on cultured osteoblast of the mouse. However, the in? uence of PG on osteoporosis in animals is relatively unknown. In this study we aim to validate the usefulness of tibia quantification by correlating micro-computed tomographic (CT) images with histology analysis in the aged male rats. A total of thirty – old male WISTAR rats were used and divided into ten 8 weeks rats and ten 112 weeks aged rats with vehicle and ten 112 weeks aged rats with PG (300 mg/kg/day). Daily oral administration of PG lasted for 8weeks. Bone histomorphomeric parameters and the trabecular bone microarchitectural properties of tibia was determined by microCT scan. MicroCT analysis showed significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone number in the aged group. Ginseng prevented total BMD decrease in the tibia induced by natural aging, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in skeletal remodeling. Furthermore, the aged group with ginseng was found to have a significantly higher osteoblast. Osteocalcin concentrations were significantly lower in the 112 weeks old rats group and higher in the 112 weeks rats with PG group. Thus, further studies of the use of compounds from PG and more details of their mechanism of action for osteoporosis. The present study indicated that PG might be a potential alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of natural aging-induced osteoporosis in human.

Effects of Panax Ginseng Extract in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A 12-week, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an extract of Panax ginseng in patients with fibromyalgia. A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was carried out over 12 weeks to compare the effects of P. ginseng (100 mg/d) with amitriptyline (25 mg/d) and placebo in 38 patients with fibromyalgia: 13 in Group I (amitriptyline), 13 in Group II (placebo), and 12 in Group III (P. ginseng). Ratings on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) revealed a reduction in pain in the P. ginseng group (p < .0001), an improvement in fatigue (p < .0001) and an improvement in sleep (p < .001), with respect to baseline characteristics, but there were no differences between the three groups. With respect to anxiety, improvements occurred in the P. ginseng group compared to baseline (p < .0001); however, amitriptyline treatment resulted in significantly greater improvements (p < .05). P. ginseng reduced the number of tender points and improved patients' quality of life (using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire - FIQ); however, there were no differences between groups. The beneficial effects experienced by patients for all parameters suggest a need for further studies to be performed on the tolerability and efficacy of this phytotherapic as a complementary therapy for fibromyalgia.

Comparative study of korean white, red, and black ginseng extract on cholinesterase inhibitory activity and cholinergic function.

This study evaluated cholineresterase inhibitory activity of Korean white ginseng extract (WGE), red ginseng extract (RGE), and black ginseng extract (BGE) and the cholinergic effect on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced amnesic mice. WGE, RGE, and BGE inhibited acetylcholineserase (AChE), as well as butyrylcholineserase (BuChE) in a concentration-dependent manner. BGE presented strong inhibition of AChE with an IC50 value of 1.72 mg/mL, followed by WGE (5.89 mg/mL), RGE (6.30 mg/mL), respectively. The inhibitory activity of the three ginseng extracts on BuChE showed similar values among the groups. To better understand the mechanisms of the possible effect of ginseng extract on the cholinergic function, this study assessed the expression of the cholinergic markers of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and AChE using western blot and RT-PCR analysis in the brains of amnesic mice. Treatment with ginseng extracts led to inhibition of AChE expression and, the activation of ChAT expression in the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex of amnesic mice as induced by SCOP. The results suggest that ginseng extracts including BGE, appear to modulate the metabolism of acetylchoine (ACh), which would greatly increase synaptic ACh levels and most potently revert SCOP-induced amnesia.