2002 Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 300-303
The effects of ginsenosides and extracts containing melanoidins, which are components of red ginseng, on TNF-α production by rat peritoneal macrophages were examined. The ginsenosides by themselves had no effect on TNF-α production, whereas water extract containing melanoidins, which are Maillard reaction products, stimulated TNF-α production by rat peritoneal macrophages. The total ginsenoside fraction and ginsenoside Rc increased TNF-α production with LPS, as did stimulation by ginsenosides with the water extract. These results suggest that for a healthy immune response it might be better to consume red ginseng itself, which contains a mixture of ginsenosides, polysaccharides and Maillard reaction products, rather than ingesting pure ginseng alone. Red ginseng as an immuno-modulator may be effective in defending against infections or tumors.
