title: Antioxidative effects of Korean red ginseng in postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Red ginseng (RG) has been widely used to treat various diseases in East Asian countries. Previous studies have shown the anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic effects of RG. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RG on oxidative stress and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 82 postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years. Participants were randomized to receive 3g red ginseng daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) were assessed, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index was calculated at the baseline and at the end of the trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 71 postmenopausal women completed the study. Serum superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased after the 12-week RG supplementation (P<0.001), and these changes were statistically significant compared with the placebo group (P=0.004). Serum malondialdehyde levels showed a tendency to decrease after the 12-week RG supplementation (P=0.001), but these changes were not statistically significant compared with the placebo group (P=0.064). No statistically significant changes in serum glutathione peroxidase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were noted. Further, RG supplementation showed no effects on fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that RG may reduce oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok Kyo
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 146-92 Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-720, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Bo Hyon
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chon
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 146-92 Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-720, Korea.
authors.forename: Joo Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 146-92 Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-720, Korea.
authors.forename: SiHyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Women׳s Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 146-92 Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-720, Korea. Electronic address: dr222@yuhs.ac.
authors.forename: Byung Seok
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D056910:Republic of Korea
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Insulin resistance; Oxidative stress; Postmenopausal women; Red ginseng