Epidemiological Study on Cancer Prevention by Ginseng: Are All Kinds of Cancers Preventable by Ginseng?

Abstract

In the light of experimental results, two case-control studies and one cohort study in a population of ginseng cultivation area were conducted to confirm whether ginseng has any anticarcinogenic effect on human cancers. All participants were interviewed using a standardised questionnaire to obtain the information on demographics, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and ginseng intake. In 905 pairs case-control study, 62% had a history of ginseng intake compared to 75% of the controls, a statistically significant difference (p<0.01). The odds ratio (OR) for cancer in relation to ginseng intake was 0.56. In extended case-control study with 1987 pairs, the ORs for cancer were 0.37 in fresh ginseng extract users, 0.57 in white ginseng extract users, 0.30 in white ginseng extract users, 0.30 in white ginseng powder users, and 0.20 in red ginseng users. Those who took fresh ginseng slices, fresh ginseng juice, and white ginseng tea, however, did not show decrease in the risk. Overall, the risk decreased as the frequency and duration of ginseng intake increased. With respect to the site of cancer, the ORs for cancers of the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver, pancreas, larynx, lung and ovary were significantly reduced by ginseng intake. Smokers with ginseng intake showed lower ORs for cancers of lung, lip, oral cavity and pharynx and liver than those without ginseng intake. In 5 yr follow- up cohort study conducted in the ginseng cultivation area, Kangwha-eup, ginseng intakers had significantly lower risk than non-intakers. As for the type of ginseng, cancer risk significantly decreased among intakers of fresh ginseng extract, alone or together with other ginseng preparations. Among 24 red ginseng intakers, no cancer death occurred during the follow-up period. The risk for stomach and lung cancers was significantly reduced by ginseng intake, showing a statistically significant dose-response relationship in each follow-up year. In conclusion, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been established as non-organ specific cancer preventive, having dose response relationship. These results warrant that ginseng extracts and its synthetic derivatives should be examined for their preventive effect on various types of human cancers.

Preventive and Therapeutic Roles of Ginseng - Focus on Colon Cancer

“…Hamed Jafari Vayghan 1 , Sevda Saleh Ghadimi 1 , Ali Reza Nourazarian 2,3 * (Yue et al, 2006) 4-reduce inflammatory responses, (Oh GS et al, 2004;Kimura et al, 2006) According to previous studies ginseng can be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer (Yun and Choi 1995;Yun et al, 2001;Yun 2003a). The aim of this study was to review relevant literature on ginseng effects on colorectal cancer.…”

“…The anti-cancer effect of steamed ginseng was enhanced by antioxidants or inhibitors of the NF-κB pathway Previous studies have shown that Panax ginseng has anticancer activity (Shin et al, 2000;Shibata, 2001;Wang and Yuan 2008;Kim and Lee, 2010). An epidemiological study on 1000 subjects in Korea showed reduced the risk of a number of cancers including colorectal cancer in those taken Asian ginseng compared with those who did not use it (Yun and Choi 1995;Yun, Choi, and Yun 2001). Studies on ginsenosides especially Rg3 and Rh2 showed that they are most effective anti-cancer compounds identified in ginseng (Kim et al, 2004;Helms 2004;Li et al, 2009;Liu et al, 2009;).…”

Chinese Medicine and Biomodulation in Cancer Patients—Part Two

“…A major weakness of the data is that high-quality, rigorously controlled trials are lacking. Reasonable epidemiologic evidence suggests that Panax ginseng is a non-organ-specific cancer preventive, with a dose-response relationship 179 . Ginseng extracts and synthetic derivatives should be examined for their preventive effect on various types of human cancers.…”

Molecular mechanisms of ginsenoside Rp1-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis

“…Meyer has been associated with a decreased incidence of cancers that lack organ specificity, as well as cancers of the lung, stomach, liver, colorectum, and pancreas (5,6). Panax ginseng ingredients with anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities were identified as minor components in red ginseng (steamed and air-dried Panax ginseng) including ginsenosides Rg3, Rg5 and Rh2 (7,8).…”