title: Effects of Korean red ginseng (Panax Ginseng Meyer) on bisphenol A exposure and gynecologic complaints: single blind, randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Korean red ginseng (KRG) is a processed ginseng from raw ginseng to enhance safety, preservation and efficacy, known having beneficial effects on women's health due to its estrogen like function. While estrogen supplementation showed some modulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA) has been focused as a potential endocrine disrupting chemical. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety outcomes of KRG against BPA, focusing on female quality of life (QOL). Individual variations in susceptibility to KRG were also investigated with the Sasang Typology, the personalized medicine used for hundred years in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a single-blind randomized clinical trial. Study subjects were young women (N = 22), consumed 2.7 g of KRG or placebo per day for 2 weeks and filled up questionnaires regarding gynecologic complaints at the 4 time spots. We analyzed urinary total BPA and malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress biomarker, with GC/MS and HPLC/UVD respectively, and diagnosed their Sasang Typology with the questionnaire for the Sasang constitution Classification (QSCC II).
  
  
  RESULTS
  KRG consumption decreased urinary BPA and MDA levels (ps < 0.05) and alleviated 'menstrual irregularity', 'menstrual pain', and 'constipation' (ps < 0.05). SoEum type (Lesser Yin person) among the Sasang types showed significant alleviation in insomnia, flushing, perspiration and appetite by KRG consumption, rather than other Sasang types. During the intervention, no one experienced any aggravated side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest KRG is efficient for protection for female QOL and BPA- exposure and - related oxidative stress. However, individual variation in susceptibility to KRG should be further considered for identifying ideal therapy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  KCT0000920.
authors: Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Hyochangwon-gil 52, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul 140-742, Republic of Korea. myang@sm.ac.kr.
authors: Mihi
authors: M
authors: Yang
authors: Ho-Sun
authors: HS
authors: Lee
authors: Min-Woo
authors: MW
authors: Hwang
authors: Mirim
authors: M
authors: Jin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000652:urine; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010636:Phenols / Q000652:urine*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds