Ginseng and Gastrointestinal Protection

Ginseng is a traditional medicinal plant that has been widely used for its therapeutic effects and nutritional benefits in Asian countries. The major active components of ginseng are triterpene glycosides known as ginsenosides. The nonginsenoside constituents of ginseng include polysaccharides, fatty acids, peptides, and polyacetylenic alcohols, which also exert pharmacological effects. Ginseng has therapeutic potential for protecting the cardiovascular, central nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. In addition, considerable evidence shows that ginseng has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in various tissues and cells. However, there have been relatively few studies on the effect of ginseng supplementation on gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, in the present review, the effect of ginseng on gastrointestinal diseases such as Helicobacter pylori-mediated gastritis, ethanol-induced gastric damages, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and radiation-induced gastrointestinal injury is discussed based on the results of recent studies.