The Difference between White and Red Ginseng: Variations in Ginsenosides and Immunomodulation

Abstract

Ginseng Radix () is one of the most commonly used herbs worldwide for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases among others, supported by ancient historical records. Throughout this long history, the large-scale cultivation of ginseng created an increasing demand for long-term storage of the harvested plant material, accelerating the development of post-harvesting procedures. Dried white ginseng and processed (steamed) red ginseng are the products of the two most common traditional post-harvest processes. Although there are a significant number of reports on practice-based therapeutic applications of ginseng, science-based evidence is needed to support these uses. Using a reverse pharmacology approach in conjunction with high-throughput techniques and animal models may offer clear, simple paths for the elucidation of the mechanisms of activity of herbal medicines. Moreover, it could provide a new and more efficient method for the discovery of potential drug candidates. From this perspective, the different chemical compositions of white ginseng and red ginseng could very likely result in different interactions with signaling pathways of diverse biological responses. This paper provides an overview of white ginseng and red ginseng, mainly focusing on their chemical profile and immunomodulation activities. Synergistic effects of ginseng herbal drugs with combinations of other traditional herbal drugs or with synthetic drugs were reviewed. The use of the zebrafish model for bioactivity testing greatly improves the prospects for future ginseng research.

Application of delayed luminescence method on measuring of the processing of Chinese herbal materials

“…In addition, the contents of catalpol, raffinose, and stachyose gradually decrease by processing in Rehmanniae radix [ 4 ]. Moreover, changes in concentration of acidic polysaccharides and structural conversions of ginsenosides are detected in white and red Ginseng radix et rhizome [ 6 ]. Since these primary and secondary metabolites in Rehmanniae radix and Ginseng radix et rhizoma can interact with molecular conformations and interactions in an overall level [ 29 ], the DL properties show significant changes during processing.…”

“…This type of description is based on practice experience which aiming the treatment of the human body as a whole [ 34 , 35 ]. Therefore, based on the Chinese medicine’s principle the therapeutic actions are modified after the processing procedure [ 5 , 6 ]. Modern chemical and biological research may reveal the changes of metabolites after the processing and therefore the pharmacological effects [ 6 ].…”

“…In addition, white Ginseng radix et rhizoma is considered to have the property “warm”, but this property may be enhanced in its processed product named red Ginseng radix et rhizome [ 5 ]. The different therapeutic properties of these herbs are also recognized in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 to the extent that there are now separate monographs for raw and processed Rehmannie radix, as well as white and red Ginseng radix et rhizoma, reflecting their differences in therapeutic applications [ 5 , 6 ]. Moreover, modern research has indicated that chemical components can be changed by processing and then may induce different therapeutic properties in these herbal materials [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Sense Ginsenosides From Ginsengs: Structure-Activity Relationship in Autophagy

“…Ginsenosides are responsible for diverse pharmacological properties ascribed to ginsengs, which have attracted considerable attention. 11 To date, more than 280 saponins have been isolated and identified from different parts of ginsengs, including the root, rhizome, stem, leaf, flower, flower bud, fruit, seed, and flower pedicel. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Some transformed saponins were isolated from the steamed root or leaf of ginsengs.…”

A comparative study of aged and contemporary Chinese herbal materials by using delayed luminescence technique

“…Herbal medicine has been used for millennia in China to maintain good health and for the treatment of diseases, and during the last decades it's global popularity is increasing [1,2]. Recently, the World Health Organization has included Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in its medical compendium as a recognition of its significant acceptance worldwide [3].…”