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An oft overlooked component of the Korean ginseng may, in fact, offer a broad range of health benefits, suggest researchers

Water extract from the Korean ginseng root is a popular herbal medicine product in East Asia. However, the extract typically leaves out a lipid-soluble component, called red ginseng oil (RGO), which, as recent studies have shown, contains many health-promoting compounds. Against this backdrop, researchers from Korea have reviewed and summarized the latest studies on the chemical composition and health benefits of RGO, highlighting the potential of this mixture in nutritional, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.

Caption: Red ginseng oil, which is usually considered a waste product when preparing red ginseng water extracts, contains, in fact, a great variety of phytochemicals with potential health benefits. In a recent review, researchers from Korea showcase studies uncovering the promises held by this compound.

The Korean red ginseng is among the most popular herbal medicines in East Asia, with evidence for its medicinal use going back almost 2000 years. To prepare the red ginseng, one repeatedly steams and dries the root of the plant until it turns a characteristic reddish color. This reduces the side effects of consuming fresh ginseng, modifies chemical composition, enhances biological effects, on one hand and extends the shelf life of the product on the other, making it easier to store, transport, and sell.

Another commonly marketed red ginseng product involves hot water extracts. These are prepared by retrieving all water-soluble compounds from the root for subsequent bottling while leaving behind its solid remains (known as ¡°marc¡±). While this makes it convenient for consumption, it leaves out a lot of bioactive lipid-soluble components that are discarded as waste. Recent studies focusing on the composition and biological effects of this lipid-soluble fraction, called ¡°red ginseng oil¡± (RGO), have, in fact, suggested that it is anything but.

Against this backdrop, Dr. Van-Long Truong and Professor Woo-Sik Jeong from Kyungpook National University, Korea, recently took stock of the various health benefits associated with RGO and the molecular mechanisms underlying them. Their review was .

The review begins by briefly comparing the extraction technologies for RGO, highlighting that RGO production via the modern technology based on supercritical fluid extraction is scalable, safe, and efficient. Next, the researchers move on to detail our current understanding of the chemical composition of RGO. ¡°,¡± says Prof. Jeong.

The article then goes on to showcase the various health benefits of RGO along with the current scientific evidence supporting them. Specifically, RGO shows potential as a powerful antioxidant and as a regulator of our body¡¯s own antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, it also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, as demonstrated through in vitro studies on cell cultures and in vivo studies on mice models. Additionally, RGO improves skin health and appearance through various mechanisms and can even promote hair growth.

However, a more remarkable health benefit of RGO comes from its chemopreventive, anti-apoptotic, and anti-cancer properties. RGO can regulate cellular chemical pathways that inhibit the formation or progression of certain tumors, and experiments have shown it can inhibit cell growth in particularly aggressive cancer cell lines. Moreover, by inhibiting the mechanisms underlying programmed cell death and boosting cellular defense, RGO could even keep chronic health conditions like diabetes at bay. ¡°,¡± remarks Prof. Jeong.

Overall, the potential benefits of RGO are varied and warrant further research. The next step towards commercializing RGO is to continue investigating its properties while pursuing the development of RGO products. ¡°concludes Prof. Jeong.

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Reference

*Corresponding author¡¯s email: wsjeong@knu.ac.kr

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About Kyungpook National University

Kyungpook National University (KNU) is a national university located in Daegu, South Korea.

Founded in 1946, it is committed to becoming a leading global university based on its proud and lasting tradition of truth, pride, and service. As a comprehensive national university representing the regions of Daegu and Gyeongbuk Province, KNU has been striving to lead Korea¡¯s national and international development by fostering talented graduates who can serve as global community leaders.

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About Professor Woo-Sik Jeong of Kyungpook National University

Woo-Sik Jeong is a Professor of Food Science and Biotechnology at Kyungpook National University in Korea. He received a PhD degree in Food Science from Rutgers University, USA in 2002. Thereafter, he underwent Postdoctoral training at the School of Pharmacy in Rutgers University from 2002 to 2004. Prior to joining to Kyungpook National University, he served as a Professor of Food and Life Sciences at Inje University, Korea, from 2004 to 2019. Prof. Jeong¡¯s research focuses on exploring the cellular defense mechanisms of phytochemicals, specifically from food sources, and investigating their role in disease prevention, as well as the relationship between cellular defense and their microbiome.