Panax ginseng Pharmacopuncture: Current Status of the Research and Future Challenges

Abstract

Despite the increasing use of ginseng pharmacopuncture in clinical practice, evidence of its physiological effects, safety, and clinical outcomes is insufficient. The purpose of this review is to summarize previous studies and suggest future challenges for the clinical use of ginseng pharmacopuncture. We systematically searched clinical and animal studies that applied ginseng pharmacopuncture and reviewed the manufacturing processes of ginseng pharmacopuncture solution, safety, physiological responses, and clinical effects. Intravenous or point injection of the ginseng pharmacopuncture solution made by distillation extraction has been commonly used in studies. Ginseng pharmacopuncture does not show any toxicity in animals and humans, while it influenced the heart rate variability, pulse wave velocity, and protein synthesis in human subjects. In 25 case reports, patients with cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, skin wrinkles, and allergic rhinitis showed significant improvement of clinical outcomes. We found that more evidence is necessary to conclude that ginseng pharmacopuncture is safe and effective. First, the pharmacopuncture manufacturing process should be standardized on the basis of the safety and efficacy tests. Moreover, studies on the quantitative quality of the components of the solution and on the clinical comparison of various injection methods are required to improve clinical outcomes in the future.

Ginsenoside Compound K: Insights into Recent Studies on Pharmacokinetics and Health-Promoting Activities

“…A category of triterpene and saponin ginsenosides are divided into two forms: tetracyclic triterpenoids (four-ring dammarane type) and pentacyclic triterpenoids (five-ring oleanolic type) [ 4 ]. The dammarane type saponins are further categorized into protopanaxadiol (PPD) and protopanaxatriol (PPT) saponins [ 5 ]. The ginsenosides of PPD group constitute Compound K (CK), Rg3, Ra1, Ra3, Ra2, Rh2, Rb1, Rb3, Rb2, F2, Rc, and Rd, while PPT group constitutes of F1, Rg1, Rg2, Rf, Re, and Rh1 [ 3 , 6 ].…”

Anticancer Activities of Ginsenosides, the Main Active Components of Ginseng

“…Chemical composition of ginseng can be mainly divided into two main types: saponin and non-saponin. Most ginseng components are non-saponin and include carbohydrates, nitrogen-containing compounds, fat soluble components, minerals, and vitamins [ 33 , 34 ]. Carbohydrates in ginseng include polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, sugar, fiber, and pectin, with the largest and active carbohydrates being polysaccharides, comprising 50–60% of ginseng components [ 33 , 35 ].…”

“…Most ginseng components are non-saponin and include carbohydrates, nitrogen-containing compounds, fat soluble components, minerals, and vitamins [ 33 , 34 ]. Carbohydrates in ginseng include polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, sugar, fiber, and pectin, with the largest and active carbohydrates being polysaccharides, comprising 50–60% of ginseng components [ 33 , 35 ]. The next major components in ginseng are nitrogen-containing compounds—protein, peptides, amino acids, nucleic acids, and alkaloids [ 36 ], while fat soluble components consist of fatty acids, essential oils, phytosterol, organic acids, phenolics, and polyacetylenes [ 37 ].…”

<p>Traditional Chinese Medicine Jiuwei Zhenxin Granules in Treating Depression: An Overview</p>

“…PG contains many effective ingredients, including panaxoside A, B, C, D, E, and F; monosaccharide; PG acid (a mixture of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid); vitamins (B1, B2, nicotinic acid, niacinamide, and pantothenic acid); amino acids; choline; enzymes (maltase, invertase, and esterase); spermine; and choleamine. 17,18 Previous studies have suggested that PG has many pharmacological effects, including anticancer, 19 antineuronal apoptosis, 20 antidiabetic, 21 anti-cognitive impairment, 22 antihypertensive, 23 and anti-fatigue 24 activities.…”