Effects of Fermented Red Ginseng Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

We performed a randomized placebo-controlled trial to determine whether or not fermented red ginseng supplementation modulates blood glucose and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. A total of 38 patients were randomized to either a fermented red ginseng group or placebo group. The patients in the experimental or placebo group consumed 780 mg of fermented red ginseng or cellulose supplement per day for 12 weeks, respectively. Lifestyle factors and dietary intakes of the patients were not altered during the 12-weeks period. In the fermented red ginseng group after 12 weeks, the fasting blood glucose levels were significantly decreased (136.29±16.45 mg/dL to 127.71±17.74 mg/dL) and HbA1c was also decreased. Especially, high HbA1c (HbA1c ≥8%, 8.45±0.56% to 7.82±0.53%) was significantly decreased compared to low HbA1c (HbA1c <8%, 6.71±0.85% to 6.44±0.49%) in the fermented red ginseng group. Serum low-density lipoprotein was slightly decreased in the fermented red ginseng group compared to the placebo group. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance was significantly reduced in the fermented red ginseng group compared to the placebo group. These results suggest that fermented red ginseng supplementation could be helpful to reduce blood glucose by improving insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients.

The Effect of Ginseng (The Genus Panax) on Glycemic Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

“…Ginseng preparations included whole root/rootlets of Korean red, American, or Panax ginseng (4 trials; 25%), and extracts of Korean red, American, or Panax ginseng (10 trials; 62.5%). Two trials (12.5%) did not specify method of preparation [19] , [21] . All the trials used encapsulated powder forms of ginseng as the intervention.…”

“…Sensitivity analyses of systematically removing individual trials showed that removal of five trials individually demonstrating benefits for FBG [7] , [19] , [21] , [22] , [29] led to a loss of significance in the overall effect (MD = −0.16 mmol/L; P = 0.14, MD = −0.27 mmol/L; P = 0.06, MD = −0.28 mmol/L; P = 0.06, MD = −0.28 mmol/L; P = 0.05, MD = −0.23 mmol/L; P = 0.1, respectively). A priori subgroup analyses revealed that the FBG-lowering effects of ginseng were only modified by the diabetes status of the individuals (between-group MD = −0.96 mmol/L [95% CI: −1.44 to −0.47], P = 0.001).…”

A Systems Biological Approach to Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying the Therapeutic Potential of Red Ginseng Supplements against Metabolic Diseases

“…Despite studies showing no significant improvement in insulin sensitivity and postprandial plasma glucose [35,36], the antidiabetic effect of red ginseng has also been reported via improved glycemic index and insulin sensitivity [37][38][39][40][41]. The effect of reducing HbA1c and insulin resistance and the effect of reducing C-peptide and serum or whole blood glucose were also reported [42,43]. Although the functional role of red ginseng has only been demonstrated on the final phenotype, through this analysis, a list of candidates for experimental investigation for elucidating action mechanisms of red ginseng has been generated.…”

Manufacture and characterization of optimized red ginseng drinks containing herbal medicine extracts

“…Studies on functional drinks containing red ginseng have been actively investigated. Kim et al (2011a;2011b) presented data on the content and safety of red ginseng beverages. The anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects of red ginseng beverages have been reported (Park et al, 2010).…”