Toxic response is manifested in almost all organs of the body, notably in the nervous and immune systems.
Among hundreds of endocrine disruptors, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most potent environmental pollutant that disrupts a reproductive system and induces cancer. Dr. Kim's
research group at the Korea Ginseng and Tobacco Research Institute found that Korean Red
Ginseng played both a preventive and a therapeutic role against TCDD-induced toxicity.
Korean Red Ginseng increased survival rate and inhibited decrease in weight gains in TCDD-
exposed guinea pigs. Histopathological examination demonstrated a significant alleviation of
lesions in kidneys, spleen, liver and testis. It was of great interest to note that testicular atrophy, decrease in sperm, spermatogenesis and sperm motility were significantly improved by the
treatment with red ginseng in those TCDD-intoxicated animals.
Professor Ishigami's group at the College of Medicine, Kobe University, Japan and professor
Lee's group at the Department of Urology, Seoul University Hospital, Korea independently tested Korean Red Ginseng extract on male infertility patients, in which sperm number and motility of
sperm were notably increased.
Recently, professor Re at Clinica Medica, Policlinico Umberito, University of Rome, Italy conducted
a clinical experiment to find the biological effect of ginseng on reproductive organs and on the
endocrine system of male infertile subjects. He emphasized that administration of ginseng extract
to male infertility patients increased sperm number, sperm motility and serum testosterone level.
