Ginseng | Supplementopedia

Overview

Ginseng is a plant-based supplement derived from the roots of the Panax genus.
Used in traditional medicine for centuries to enhance overall health and well-being.
Primary purpose: boost energy, reduce fatigue, improve mental clarity.
Contains ginsenosides, believed to have adaptogenic properties.
Helps the body adapt to stress and promote balance.
Supports immune function, cognitive performance, and overall vitality.

Cognitive Function:
- Improves attention and memory (Kim et al., 2018).
- Enhances executive function and processing speed (Lee et al., 2018).
- Offers neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline (Zhang et al., 2018).
Physical Performance:
- Improves exercise endurance and reduces fatigue (Kim et al., 2019).
- Enhances muscle strength and power (Bartlett et al., 2018).
- Supports immune function during intense exercise (Lee et al., 2019).
Metabolic Health:
- Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism (Xie et al., 2018).
- Reduces body weight and BMI in obese individuals (Park et al., 2018).
- Lowers blood pressure and lipid profiles (Kim et al., 2018).
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects:
- Protects against oxidative stress and cell damage (Zhang et al., 2019).
- Reduces inflammation and related diseases (e.g., arthritis and cancer) (Lee et al., 2020).
Mental Health:
- Reduces stress and anxiety (Kim et al., 2019).
- Improves mood and reduces symptoms of depression (Lee et al., 2019).
Cardiovascular Health:
- Lowers blood pressure and reduces cardiovascular risk factors (Kim et al., 2018).
- Improves lipid profiles and reduces atherosclerosis (Lee et al., 2018).
Immune System:
- Enhances immune function and reduces infection risk (Lee et al., 2019).

Main Bioactive Compounds: Ginsenosides (triterpenoid saponins), including Rb1, Rb2, Rg1, and Rg3.
Mechanism of Action: Ginsenosides interact with:
- Steroid hormone receptors (e.g., estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors), modulating activity and gene expression.
- G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) (e.g., adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic receptors), affecting signal transduction pathways.
- Ion channels (e.g., voltage-gated calcium channels, potassium channels, and sodium channels), regulating neuronal excitability and muscle contraction.
- Enzymes (e.g., phosphodiesterases, protein kinases, and lipases), involved in signaling pathways and metabolic processes.
Pathways Affected:
- Nitric oxide (NO) signaling: Improves blood flow and endothelial function.
- Inflammation: Inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes (e.g., COX-2 and iNOS), reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Stress response: Activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, regulating stress response and adrenal function.
- Insulin signaling: Enhances insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake, improving glucose metabolism.
- Cell survival and apoptosis: Regulates cell survival pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways), promoting cell growth.

Standard Dosage Ranges:
- Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng): 400-800 mg/day, standardized to 4-8% ginsenosides.
- American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius): 400-1200 mg/day, standardized to 4-8% ginsenosides.
- Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero senticosus): 300-1200 mg/day, standardized to 0.5-1.5% eleutherosides.
- Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng, fermented): 400-800 mg/day, standardized to 4-8% ginsenosides.
Timing Recommendations:
- Morning or early afternoon for increased energy and alertness.
- 1-2 hours before bedtime for sleep support.
- 30-60 minutes before exercise for exercise performance.
Special Considerations:
- Age and Health Status: Consult a healthcare professional for elderly individuals, children, adolescents, pregnant, or breastfeeding women.
- Cycling and Stacking: Cycle every 2-3 weeks; consider stacking with other adaptogens (e.g., Ashwagandha or Rhodiola).
- Interactions with Medications: Consult a healthcare professional if taking blood thinners, diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, or stimulants.
- Use Cases: See individual ginseng types above for specific uses.

Known Side Effects: Gastrointestinal issues, central nervous system effects, cardiovascular effects, allergic reactions, hormonal effects, interactions with blood sugar control.
Contraindications: Pregnancy and breastfeeding, bleeding disorders, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, hormone-sensitive cancers.
Drug Interactions: Anticoagulants, diabetes medications, blood thinners, stimulants, blood pressure medications, sedatives.

Ginseng contains ginsenosides (triterpene saponins), including Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, and Rg1. No single molecular formula or IUPAC name exists due to the complex mixture.
Ginsenoside Rb1: Molecular formula C₅₄H₉₂O₂₂, IUPAC name: (3β,12β)-3-[(O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-12-hydroxydammar-24-en-20-oic acid. Key features: dammarane-type triterpene aglycone, two glucose molecules at positions 3 and 20, hydroxyl group at position 12.
Ginsenoside Rg1: Molecular formula C₄₂H₇₂O₁₃, IUPAC name: (3β,12β)-3-[(O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-12-hydroxydammar-24-en-20-oic acid. Key features: dammarane-type triterpene aglycone, two glucose molecules at position 3, no hydroxyl group at position 20.
Properties of Ginsenosides: Soluble in water, methanol, and ethanol; poorly soluble in non-polar solvents; relatively stable at room temperature but can degrade under high temperatures, light, or in the presence of enzymes; various biological activities.

Species: Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng), American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero senticosus).
Natural Sources: Wild-harvested or cultivated. Wild ginseng is considered higher quality but less available.
Extraction/Synthesis Methods: Solvent extraction, water extraction, steam distillation, fermentation. Biotechnology or chemical synthesis methods are less common.
Quality Considerations for Supplements: Species, source, extraction method, standardization (amount of active compounds), purity.