Ginseng Research in the Era of Systems Biology

Invited Review: Ginseng is actually a collection of 11 distinct species of slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots, but Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae) or Korean ginseng is the main one. The root of P. ginseng is a traditional medicine in Korea, China and Japan that has been shown to produce a variety of medicinal effects. The reported pharmacological activities of ginseng and its constituents are related to possess antistress and antioxidant effects. The excess of free radicals may lead to peroxidative impairment of membrane lipids and consequently disrupt cellular functions and cause their death. This review details the bibliography supporting the medicinal efficacy of ginseng and evidence has been closely linked to its protective properties against free radicals. Lisa Schneper, Natalie Maricic, Kalai Mathee (USA) Anti-quorum Sensing, Anti-bacterial, and Immunomodulatory Properties of Panax ginseng (pp 11-24)