[Guest Report] Scientists research red ginseng benefits

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[Guest Report] Scientists research red ginseng benefits

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Research suggests that red ginseng could help with anti-aging and increase skin elasticity. [KOREA GINSENG CORPORATION]

The anti-aging effects of ginseng took center stage at the 2019 Autumn Ginseng Jeju Conference in Seogwipo, Jeju.

Kyung Hee University Professor Kang Tong-ho and his graduate school team of biotechnology carried out a study of the anti-aging mechanisms and effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on the differentiated embryo chondrocyte gene (DEC1), while Professor Kim Kyung-sook’s team studied the effects of red ginseng on the elasticity of human skin.

Circadian rhythms affect sleep-wake cycles, temperature, blood pressure and changes in metabolism, degenerative diseases and aging effects such as biorhythm. DEC1 is related to circadian rhythms, but before Kang’s team’s study, there had been no investigations on the effects of KRG on the gene.

Prof. Kang’s team treated genetically modified mice that contained the DEC1 gene with KRG to confirm whether ginseng has anti-aging related effects.

Kang’s team evaluated the effect of red ginseng on the aging protein p16INK4a and antioxidant enzymes.

It measured that red ginseng decreases the p16INK4a protein by 25 percent. The study also found that in a control mouse that had not been treated with the red ginseng, the liver suppressed the role of the DEC1 gene.

The effects of DEC1 on auditory function as an indicator of protection from age-related hearing loss and the role of red ginseng in that process was tested through auditory brainstem response tests.

Kang’s team concluded that KRG improved auditory function by 15 percent, proving its efficacy in treating age-related diseases.

The study found that 238 genes were activated and 158 were inhibited by the red ginseng in the genetically modified mice.

“Constant red ginseng intake is expected to be of great help when it comes to anti-aging and such related issues, and we are planning to carry out clinical trials,” Kang said.

Professor Kim Kyung-sook’s team investigated skin elasticity by assessing cellular stiffness and measuring elasticity factors such as collagen and elastin thickness and density.

The study found that the elasticity of cells increased by about 27 percent when 0.8 milligrams of red ginseng were applied. The changes to elasticity were due to a decrease in actin fiber.

As skin cells age over time, the amount of actin fiber increases accordingly.

The effects of red ginseng on collagen fibers were also investigated using a human skin equivalent.

“Even by just applying red ginseng to the skin, it is expected to increase elasticity,” said Prof. Kim.

As well as the ongoing research into the benefits of ginseng, new cultivation methods are also being explored.

The Korea Ginseng Corporation has developed the Ginseng Cultivation Tunnel Facility.

This cultivation method blocks sunlight and rain to produce healthy ginseng without any harm from pests, also lowering production costs.

BY KIM SEUNG-JUN [kim.seungjun@joongang.co.kr]
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