Journal of Ginseng Research

The Korean Society of Ginseng (고려인삼학회)
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The safety, immunological benefits, and efficacy of ginseng in organ transplantation

  • Lim, Sun Woo (Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Luo, Kang (Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Quan, Yi (Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Cui, Sheng (Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Shin, Yoo Jin (Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Ko, Eun Jeong (Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Chung, Byung Ha (Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Yang, Chul Woo (Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea)
  • Received : 2019.08.19
  • Accepted : 2020.02.03
  • Published : 2020.05.15
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Abstract

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is associated with a variety of therapeutic effects, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxative, antiallergic, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. Accordingly, the use of ginseng has reached an all-time high among members of the general public. However, the safety and efficacy of ginseng in transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressant drugs have still not been elucidated. Transplantation is the most challenging and complex of surgical procedures and may require causation for the use of ginseng. In this regard, we have previously examined the safety, immunological benefits, and protective mechanisms of ginseng with respect to calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression, which is the most widely used regimen in organ transplantation. Using an experimental model of calcineurin inhibitor-induced organ injury, we found that ginseng does not affect drug levels in the peripheral blood and tissue, favorably regulates immune response, and protects against calcineurin inhibitor-induced nephrotoxicity and pancreatic islet injury. On the basis of our experimental studies and a review of the related literature, we propose that ginseng may provide benefits in organ transplant recipients administered calcineurin inhibitors. Through the present review, we aimed to briefly discuss our current understanding of the therapeutic benefits of ginseng related to transplant patient survival.

Keywords

References

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