from Korean Red Ginseng.
Moreover, chemotherapy-induced toxicity in immune system was alleviated by treatment with
red ginseng extract and ginsenoside Rg1, one of the seven major ginseng saponin. The
effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng on cancer patients was identified by a clinical experiment,
in which ginseng improved the nutritional state and immune function of the subjects. Professor
Suh at the School of Medicine, Korea University administered Korean Red Ginseng powder to
post-operative cancer patients (alimentary system cancers such as stomach and colon cancers)
under chemotherapy.
Ginseng was given at a dose of 4.5-5.4 g/day, for 6 months) in a controlled manner. Clinical
parameters related to immune function between ginseng-treated and non-treated groups were
compared. Number of total lymphocyte, T-helper cells and natural killer cells was significantly
increased by ginseng treatment.
Furthermore, medication with red ginseng improved nutritional status of cancer patients suffering
from loss of appetite after operation, and increased hematopoeisis and body weight of post-
operative cervical cancer patients and those subjected to gynecological abdominal operations.
In addition, ginsenoside Rh2, a red ginseng typical saponin, and panaxytriol was found to inhibit
proliferation of cancer cells. Also, ginsenoside Rg3 was found to inhibit resistance of cancer
cells to anticancer agents and metastasis of cancer. Most recently, it was stated that in vitro
addition of ginseng extract to peripheral blood from HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infected
patients and subjects suffering from chronic fatigue strengthened cellular immune function.
It was also demonstrated that administration of Korean Red Ginseng to AIDS (Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome) patients inhibited suppression of immune function and decrease in body
weight and improved the prognosis of the patients. Resistance to drugs when treating HIV is one
of the difficulties in controlling AIDS. Long-term administration of Korean Red Ginseng suppressed
resistance of the HIV to AIDS therapeutic agent.
