Effects of Korean red ginseng as an adjuvant to bile acids in medical dissolution therapy for gallstones: a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot trial.
Although ginseng, the root of Panax quinquefolium and P. ginseng, was reported to have anti-cholelithogenic effects in animal experiments, there have, to date, been no human studies. We conducted this prospective, controlled, double-blind pilot trial to evaluate the safety and efficiency of Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of P. ginseng C.A. Meyer. Twenty eight consecutive patients were randomized to receive either KRG (7.5 g divided into three daily doses) or a placebo as an adjuvant to the standard regimen of bile acids for gallstones (500 mg of chenodeoxycholic acid and 500 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid divided into three daily doses) for 24 weeks. No case of serious adverse reaction occurred in both groups. Although the decrease in stone burden was larger in the KRG group (3.4 ± 0.6 ml3) than in the placebo group (2.3 ± 1.1 ml(3)), it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.09). Also there were no differences in the rate of complete dissolution, subjective improvement in symptoms, and the rate of cholecystectomy due to worsening pain or the development of complications and changes in laboratory tests before and after treatment. In conclusion, the addition of KRG as an adjuvant was safe for patients undergoing bile acid dissolution therapy for gallstones although it did not affect the results. Large-scaled trials to optimize regimens are expectantly needed.
Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Korea.
Jun Kyu
JK
Lee
Hyoun Woo
HW
Kang
Jae Hak
JH
Kim
Yun Jeong
YJ
Lim
Moon-Soo
MS
Koh
Jin Ho
JH
Lee
D000368:Aged; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D042882:Gallstones / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010865:Pilot Projects
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts