New studies highlight red ginseng’s potential in colon cancer inhibition and gut health improvement

Recent studies presented at the Autumn Symposium of the Korean Society of Ginseng Research, which is ongoing in Jeju Island from Sunday to Wednesday, have spotlighted Korean red ginseng’s potential benefits in cancer treatment and gut health. The research findings reveal that ginseng compounds may inhibit colon cancer cell growth and mitigate gut microbial imbalances linked to bone health and intestinal health.

Rh2 compound of red ginseng shows promise in suppressing colon cancer

During the conference, Professors Kim Myoung-ok of the Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology and Ryu Jae-woong of the Department of Biotechnology at Kyungpook National University, presented a study that identified an anti-cancer mechanism in ginseng’s Rh2 compound, which was published in the Journal of Ginseng Research.

According to their findings, Rh2 inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation, movement, and invasion, and directly binds with AXL, a receptor protein that activates cancer cells. By blocking the AXL signaling pathway, Rh2 suppresses tumor growth and induces cancer cell death.

The study further confirmed that Rh2 can inhibit tumor growth in animal models without the toxic side effects often associated with conventional chemotherapy.

“Colon cancer has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates globally, with the traditional chemotherapy often proving ineffective due to drug resistance and cardiovascular side effects,” Kim said. "Our study found that Rh2 significantly inhibits the proliferation and spread of colon cancer cells, blocking the AXL signaling pathway without toxicity.”

This breakthrough indicates the potential of ginseng-based treatments that offer safety and efficacy without adverse effects, Kim added.

Kim stressed that the findings mark the first time Rh2’s direct interaction with AXL has been demonstrated in colon cancer cells, offering promising insights into a novel, natural anti-cancer therapy.

Red ginseng’s effect on gut microbiome promotes bone health and prevents leaky gut syndrome

In a separate study, Professor Narayanan Parameswaran’s team from the Department of Physiology at Michigan State University revealed that red ginseng extract could restore microbial balance in the gut, preventing bone loss and reducing the risk of leaky gut syndrome.

The study was conducted using antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in a mouse model. Findings demonstrated that red ginseng intake over four weeks helped increase beneficial microbial diversity and alleviate symptoms of leaky gut syndrome, ultimately improving bone health.

“While ginseng’s benefits for bone health have been noted before, our study is the first to show that it can prevent bone loss and leaky gut syndrome by promoting a balanced gut microbiome," Parameswaran said. “The study highlights red ginseng’s probiotic effects and its potential as a future treatment for osteoporosis.”

Meanwhile, as research into ginseng’s potential therapeutic properties expands, interest continues to grow across countries, with over 30 studies presented at the conference from researchers in Korea, China, Japan, and the U.S.

In addition to these studies, other symposium presentations covered a range of potential applications for red ginseng, including cancer treatment, immune enhancement against respiratory viruses, and broader gut health benefits.