The cancer-preventive potential of Panax ginseng: a review of human and experimental evidence.
OBJECTIVE
We have reviewed the potential cancer-preventive and other relevant properties of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, which has been traditionally used as a natural tonic in Oriental countries. DATA IDENTIFICATION AND STUDY SELECTION: Publications on Panax ginseng and its relation to cancer were obtained from the Medline database (1983-1998) and by checking reference lists to find earlier reports. The reports cover experimental models and human studies on cancer-preventive activity, carcinogenicity and other beneficial or adverse effects. In addition, possible mechanisms of chemoprevention by ginseng were considered.


RESULTS
Published results from a cohort and two case-control studies in Korea suggest that the intake of ginseng may reduce the risk of several types of cancer. When ginseng was tested in animal models, a reduction in cancer incidence and multiplicity at various sites was noted. Panax ginseng and its chemical constituents have been tested for their inhibiting effect on putative carcinogenesis mechanisms (e.g., cell proliferation and apoptosis, immunosurveillance, angiogenesis); in most experiments inhibitory effects were found.


CONCLUSIONS
While Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer has shown cancer-preventive effects both in experimental models and in epidemiological studies, the evidence is currently not conclusive as to its cancer-preventive activity in humans. The available evidence warrants further research into the possible role of ginseng in the prevention of human cancer and carcinogenesis.
Shin
H R
HR
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Pusan, Korea. hrshin@mail.donga.ac.kr
Kim
J Y
JY
Yun
T K
TK
Morgan
G
G
Vainio
H
H
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents