Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius: From pharmacology to toxicology.

Mancuso Cesare, Santangelo Rosaria
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2017

Abstract

The use of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius in traditional Chinese medicine dates back to about 5000 years ago thanks to its several beneficial and healing properties. Over the past few years, extensive preclinical and clinical evidence in the scientific literature worldwide has supported the beneficial effects of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius in significant central nervous system, metabolic, infectious and neoplastic diseases. There has been growing research on ginseng because of its favorable pharmacokinetics, including the intestinal biotransformation which is responsible for the processing of ginsenosides - contained in the roots or extracts of ginseng - into metabolites with high pharmacological activity and how such principles act on numerous cell targets. The aim of this review is to provide a simple and extensive overview of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius, focusing on the clinical evidence which has shown particular effectiveness in specific diseases, such as dementia, diabetes mellitus, respiratory infections, and cancer. Furthermore, the review will also provide data on toxicological factors to support the favorable safety profile of these medicinal plants.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Compound K; Free radicals; Ginsenosides; Heme oxygenase; Herbal products; Medicinal plants

Articles similar to "Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius: From pharmacology to toxicology."

• The properties of Panax Ginseng: Systems-level Mechanisms of Action of Panax ginseng: A Network Pharmacological Approach. (Panax ginseng has been used since ancient times based on the traditional Asian medicine theory and clinical experiences, and currently, is one of the most popular herbs in the world...)
• The properties of Panax Ginseng: Effects of Korean ginseng berry extract on sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction: a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study. (Ginseng is beneficial for many aspects of human physiology, including sexual function...)
• The properties of Panax Ginseng: Panax Ginseng in Randomised Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review. (Panax ginseng C...)
• The properties of Panax Ginseng: Panax ginseng (Kiefer,Pantuso). (The herbal remedies referred to as "ginseng" are derived from the roots of several plants...)

Previous article

Panax ginseng (Kiefer,Pantuso).

Next article

Effects of Korean ginseng berry extract on sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction: a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study.