Ginseng: a dietary supplement as immune-modulator in various diseases

Publication date: Available online 9 November 2018Source: Trends in Food Science & TechnologyAuthor(s): Muhammad Riaz, Najm Ur Rahman, Muhammd Zia-Ul-Haq, Hawa ZE. Jaffar, Rosana ManeaAbstractBackgroundMechanistic studies suggest that ginseng, as dietary supplement, plays a key role in disease prevention by modulating the immune function of human body. The root of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius (Family: Araliaceae) are commonly known as ‘ginseng’. Ginseng roots are well known for their high content of saponins, ginsenosides, phenolic compounds, including carbohydrates and carotenoids. In recent years, there is a growing interest in the role of ginseng as a nutraceutical or functional food with increasing market value. Extracts and bioactive compounds isolated from ginseng are studied for their various health promoting activities such as antioxidant, antitumor, antihyperglycemic, skin protecting, anti-osteoporotic anticancer, anti-infective and respiratory problems.Scope and approachThe present review reports structural and functional diversity of ginseng, key bioactive compounds, their immunity boosting potential and studies related to cell mediated and humoral immunity of ginseng. Immunity-boosting power of ginseng against cancer, autoimmune diseases and viral and bacterial infections has been compiled. The vaccine adjuvant role, safety profile and drug interactions ginseng and derived products are also discussed. Nano-ginseng as immune modulators has been a unit ...
Source: Trends in Food Science and Technology - Category: Food Science Source Type: research