Effects of Korean red ginseng on human gray matter volume and cognitive function: A voxel‐based morphometry study

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) supplementation on gray matter volume of the human brain which could be related to cognitive enhancing effects of KRG. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 51 healthy individuals were assigned to receive either KRG (1000 mg/day, n ¼ 26) or placebo (n ¼ 25) for 8 weeks. Gray matter volume of the whole brain was measured using voxel-based morphometry based on high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance images acquired at baseline and week 8. The standardized composite cognitive scores of executive function, attention, and memory were also evaluated at baseline and week 8. Changes in gray matter volume as well as the composite cognitive scores were compared between the KRG and placebo groups. Results: Following 8 weeks of KRG supplementation, the gray matter volume of the left parahippocampal gyrus increased significantly in the KRG group, relative to the placebo group (p for interaction < 0.001). The KRG group also showed greater magnitude of enhancement in the composite cognitive scores relative to the placebo group (p for interaction ¼ 0.03). Conclusions: Gray matter volume increase in the parahippocampus may be a key neural change as induced by KRG supplementation, which could be associated with cognitive enhancement. K E Y W O R D S brain magnetic resonance imaging, cognition, gray matter, Korean red ginseng, voxel-based morphometry 1 | INTRODUCTION Korean red ginseng (KRG), also known as Panax ginseng, is a medicinal plant that has been used as a safe dietary supplement (Choi, 2008). Having ginsenosides as the major active ingredients, KRG has been reported to be potentially beneficial to a wide range of symptoms including physical, psychological, and cognitive dysfunctions

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Ginsenoside and Its Therapeutic Potential for Cognitive Impairment

“…Several pharmacological approaches have been widely used for intervening in AD-related CI, e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Meanwhile, ginseng and its main extract ginsenosides already show their protective effect on AD-associated CI in a few well-designed randomized controlled trials [ 11 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ] ( Table 2 ). A series of clinical studies were conducted by Heo [ 11 ].…”

“…In another randomized controlled trial, 97 individuals were orally treated with Panax ginseng powder (which contains a total of 8.19% of ginsenosides) at a dose of 4.5 g/d or 9 g/day; the results demonstrated that ginsenosides supplement can increase the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, which revealed the improvement of cognitive function [ 45 ]. Furthermore, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, it was demonstrated that Korean red ginseng (KRG) administration at a dose of 1000 mg/day for 8 weeks can increase the gray matter volume and composite cognitive scores of healthy individuals [ 46 ].…”

Characterization of an Immune-Enhancing Polysaccharide Fraction Isolated from Heat-Processed Ginseng Derived from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer

“…Meyer (here termed ginseng) has been used for thousands of years to treat diseases and to help maintain the body's homeostasis [13,14]. The active components of ginseng are ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and polypeptides, and their pharmacological activities including anti-fatigue, anti-cancer, and immune enhancement effects have been previously reported [15,16]. Ginseng products are referred to by various terms, depending on the processing method: freshly harvested ginseng is termed fresh ginseng, dried ginseng is referred to as white ginseng, and steamed dried ginseng is termed red ginseng [17,18].…”