Discrimination of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) cultivar Chunpoong and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) using the auxin repressed protein gene

Abstract:Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius) are valuable medicinal herbs whose roots have been used for ages in traditional medicine in China and North America as vitalizing and stimulating agents. The roots are obtained mainly from field cultivation, which is a slow (5-7 years long), laborious, and troublesome process; so in vitro methods started to be used to produce ginseng biomass. In our study, non-organogenic callus of P. quinquefolius synthesized the same active substances like field roots, for more than 6 years. The ginsenosides are derivatives of protopanaxadiol (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd) or protopanaxatriol (Rg1, Re). The synthesis of Rg1and Re metabolites is preferred in calli cultured in the dark and with ageing of culture.

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North American(Panax quinquefolius)and Asian Ginseng(Panax ginseng)Preparations for Prevention of the Common Cold in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1093/ecam/nep068 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Jennifer Krebs Seida ◽

Tamara Durec ◽

Stefan Kuhle

Keyword(s):

Panax Ginseng ◽

North American ◽

Common Cold ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Grey Literature ◽

American Ginseng ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Panax Quinquefolius ◽

Root Extract ◽

Ginseng Extract

Background: Standardized ginseng extract has become the best-selling cold and flu remedy in Canada, yet much controversy regarding the efficacy of ginseng in preventing common colds remains. Objective: To assess the efficacy of ginseng preparations for the prevention of common colds in healthy adults. Methods: Comprehensive bibliographic database, trial registry and grey literature searches were conducted up to December 2007. Randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials comparing North American (Panax quinquefolius) or Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) root extract to placebo or no treatment in healthy adults were included. Two reviewers independently applied the study selection criteria and assessed methodological quality. Results: Five trials involving 747 participants were included. All five trials examined North American ginseng. The methodological quality of the trials varied widely. Ginseng preparations significantly reduced the total number of common colds by 25% compared to placebo (one trial; 95% CI: 5–45). There was a tendency toward a lower incidence of having at least one common cold or other acute respiratory infection (ARI) in the ginseng group compared to the placebo group (five trials; relative risk: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.48–1.02). Compared to placebo, ginseng significantly shortened the duration of colds or ARIs by 6.2 days (two trials; 95% CI: 3.4–9.0). Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to conclude that ginseng reduces the incidence or severity of common colds. North American ginseng appears to be effective in shortening the duration of colds or ARIs in healthy adults when taken preventatively for durations of 8–16 weeks.

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