BackgroundThe findings of currently available studies are not consistent with regard to the association between the risk of cancer and ginseng consumption. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate this association by conducting a meta-analysis of different studies.MethodsTo systematically evaluate the effect of ginseng consumption on cancer incidence, six databases were searched, including PubMed, Ovid Technologies, Embase, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese VIP Information, from 1990 to 2014. Statistical analyses based on the protocol employed for a systematic review were conducted to calculate the summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsWe identified nine studies, including five cohort studies, three case-control studies, and one randomized controlled trial, evaluating the association between ginseng consumption and cancer risk; these studies involved 7,436 cases and 334,544 participants. The data from the meta-analysis indicated a significant 16% lower risk of developing cancer in patients who consumed ginseng (RR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76–0.92), with evidence of heterogeneity (p = 0.0007, I2 = 70%). Stratified analyses suggested that the significant heterogeneity may result from the incidence data for gastric cancer that were included in this study. Publication bias also showed the same result as the stratified analyses. In addition, subgroup analyses for four specific types of cancer (colorectal cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer) were also performed. The summary RRs for ginseng intake versus no ginseng consumption were 0.77 for lung cancer, 0.83 for gastric cancer, 0.81 for liver cancer, and 0.77 for colorectal cancer.ConclusionThe findings of this meta-analysis indicated that ginseng consumption is associated with a significantly decreased risk of cancer and that the effect is not organ specific.
Aim To explore the suppressive effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on the biological activities of gastric cancer and the mechanisms responsible therein, by conducting an in vitro study. Materials and Methods SGC‐7901 gastric cancer cells were divided into NC, DMSO, Gin‐Low (10 mg/L), Gin‐Middle (20 mg/L), and Gin‐High (40 mg/L) groups. Using MTT, flow cytometry, transwell, and wound‐healing assays, the cell biological activities in the different groups were evaluated; the protein expression levels of PTEN, p‐PI3K, AKT, and P53 were measured by Western blot assay, and p‐PI3K nuclear volume was evaluated by immunofluorescence. Results The SGC‐7901 cell proliferation rate was depressed significantly, and cell apoptosis increased significantly while cells were arrested in the G1 phase (p < .05) with ginsenoside Rg3 treatment in a dose‐dependent manner (p < .05). Meanwhile, the SGC‐7901 cell invasion number and wound‐healing rate of ginsenoside Rg3‐treated groups were significantly downregulated compared with those of the NC group, also in a dose‐dependent manner (p < .05). PTEN and P53 protein expression levels were significantly increased, and p‐PI3K and AKT protein expression levels were significantly depressed in ginsenoside Rg3‐treated groups in a dose‐dependent manner (p < .05). Conclusion Ginsenoside Rg3 suppresses gastric cancer via regulation of the PTEN/p‐PI3K/AKT pathway.
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