The Beneficial Potential of Ginseng for Menopause

Overview

Journal J Ginseng Res

Date 2024 Sep 12

PMID 39263310

Authors

Jihyeon Song

Namkyu Lee

Hyun-Jeong Yang

Myeong Soo Lee

Spandana Rajendra Kopalli

Yong-Ung Kim

Youngjoo Lee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has long been used not only as a food supplement but also as a treatment for various diseases. Ginseng originated in South Korea, which later spread to China and Japan, has a wide range of pharmacological activities including immune, endocrine, cardiovascular, and central nervous system effects. KRG is produced by repetitions of steaming and drying of ginseng to extend preservation. During this steaming process, the components of ginseng undergo physio-chemical changes forming a variety of potential active constituents including ginsenoside-Rg3, a unique compound in KRG. Pandemic Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has affected both men and women differentially. In particular, women were more vulnerable to COVID-related distress which in turn could aggravate menopause-related disturbances. Complementary and alternative medicinal plants could have aided middle-aged women for several menopause-related symptoms during and post COVID-19 pandemic. This review aimed to explore the beneficial effects of KRG on menopausal symptoms and gynecological cancer.

References

Yagi T, Sawada K, Miyamoto M, Kinose Y, Nakagawa S, Takiuchi T . Safety and efficacy of Ninjin'yoeito along with iron supplementation therapy for preoperative anemia, fatigue, and anxiety in patients with gynecological disease: an open-label, single-center, randomized phase-II trial. BMC Womens Health. 2022; 22(1):229. PMC: 9195328. DOI: 10.1186/s12905-022-01824-9. View

Greendale G, Wight R, Huang M, Avis N, Gold E, Joffe H . Menopause-associated symptoms and cognitive performance: results from the study of women's health across the nation. Am J Epidemiol. 2010; 171(11):1214-24. PMC: 2915492. DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwq067. View

Hwang S, Jeong Y, Cho H, Park Y, Song K, Chang Y . Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract promotes lung cancer cell apoptosis and mitophagy by ROS production. J Ginseng Res. 2022; 46(1):138-146. PMC: 8753562. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2021.05.005. View

Shim M, Lee Y . Estrogen receptor is activated by korean red ginseng in vitro but not in vivo. J Ginseng Res. 2013; 36(2):169-75. PMC: 3659583. DOI: 10.5142/jgr.2012.36.2.169. View

Hyun S, Bhilare K, In G, Park C, Kim J . Effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases: pharmacological and therapeutic roles. J Ginseng Res. 2022; 46(1):33-38. PMC: 8753520. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2021.07.007. View

Lee H, Ang L, Lee M . Using ginseng for menopausal women's health care: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2022; 48:101615. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101615. View

Shin W, Yoon J, Oh G, Ryoo S . Korean red ginseng inhibits arginase and contributes to endotheliumdependent vasorelaxation through endothelial nitric oxide synthase coupling. J Ginseng Res. 2013; 37(1):64-73. PMC: 3659627. DOI: 10.5142/jgr.2013.37.64. View

Cheng H, Li S, Fan Y, Gao X, Hao M, Wang J . Comparative studies of the antiproliferative effects of ginseng polysaccharides on HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Med Oncol. 2010; 28(1):175-81. DOI: 10.1007/s12032-010-9449-8. View

Kim N, Kang S, Schini V . Ginsenosides evoke endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in rat aorta. Gen Pharmacol. 1994; 25(6):1071-7. DOI: 10.1016/0306-3623(94)90121-x. View

10.

So S, Lee J, Kim Y, Hyun S, Han C . Red ginseng monograph. J Ginseng Res. 2018; 42(4):549-561. PMC: 6190493. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2018.05.002. View

11.

Namgung E, Kim J, Jeong H, Hong G, Kim M, Kim R . Effects of Korean red ginseng on human gray matter volume and cognitive function: A voxel-based morphometry study. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2020; 36(2):e2767. DOI: 10.1002/hup.2767. View

12.

Liu N, Zhang F, Wei C, Jia Y, Shang Z, Sun L . Prevalence and predictors of PTSS during COVID-19 outbreak in China hardest-hit areas: Gender differences matter. Psychiatry Res. 2020; 287:112921. PMC: 7102622. DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112921. View

13.

Li J, Lu J, Ye Z, Han X, Zheng X, Hou H . 20(S)-Rg3 blocked epithelial-mesenchymal transition through DNMT3A/miR-145/FSCN1 in ovarian cancer. Oncotarget. 2017; 8(32):53375-53386. PMC: 5581117. DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18482. View

14.

Cho A, Roh Y, Uyangaa E, Park S, Kim J, Lim K . Protective effects of red ginseng extract against vaginal herpes simplex virus infection. J Ginseng Res. 2013; 37(2):210-8. PMC: 3659631. DOI: 10.5142/jgr.2013.37.210. View

15.

Yang N, Zhang X, Li L, Xu T, Li M, Zhao Q . Ginsenoside Rc Promotes Bone Formation in Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis In Vivo and Osteogenic Differentiation In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci. 2022; 23(11). PMC: 9181096. DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116187. View

16.

Park D, Han B, Shin M, Hwang G . Enhanced Intestinal Immune Response in Mice after Oral Administration of Korea Red Ginseng-Derived Polysaccharide. Polymers (Basel). 2020; 12(10). PMC: 7600159. DOI: 10.3390/polym12102186. View

17.

Zhao T, Jin F, Li J, Xu Y, Dong H, Liu Q . Dietary isoflavones or isoflavone-rich food intake and breast cancer risk: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Clin Nutr. 2017; 38(1):136-145. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.12.006. View

18.

Baek J, Heo J, Fava M, Mischoulon D, Choi K, Na E . Effect of Korean Red Ginseng in individuals exposed to high stress levels: a 6-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Ginseng Res. 2019; 43(3):402-407. PMC: 6606819. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2018.03.001. View

19.

Lee S, Bae B, Park H, Ahn N, Cho B, Cho Y . Characterization of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer): History, preparation method, and chemical composition. J Ginseng Res. 2016; 39(4):384-91. PMC: 4593794. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2015.04.009. View

20.

Chung Y, Lee I, Lee J, Nam E, Kim S, Kim Y . Effects of Korean Red Ginseng ( C.A. Meyer) on Menopausal Symptoms in Premenopausal Women After Gynecologic Cancer Surgery: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2020; 27(1):66-72. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2019.0429. View