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Immune-modulating Effect of Korean Red Ginseng by Balancing the Ratio of Peripheral T Lymphocytes in Bile Duct or Pancreatic Cancer Patients With Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

  • 2021
  • In vivo (Athens, Greece) 35(3)
    • Im-Kyung Kim
    • Kang Young Lee
    • Jeonghyun Kang
    • Joon Seong Park
    • Joon Jeong

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
26 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for bile duct or pancreatic cancer followed by 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin or gemcitabine chemotherapy
Methods
Prospective, randomized controlled trial, 1:1 randomization to ginseng or control group, immune and inflammatory markers assayed in peripheral blood during and after chemotherapy
Funding
Unclear

Background/aim

We aimed to clarify the clinical effect of Korean Red ginseng administered with adjuvant chemotherapy on the immune function of patients with bile duct or pancreatic cancer.

Patients and methods

This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at a single tertiary center. Twenty-six consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for bile duct or pancreatic cancer followed by 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin or gemcitabine chemotherapy were included. They were randomized 1:1 to the ginseng and control groups. Immune and inflammatory markers were assayed in peripheral blood samples during and after chemotherapy.

Results

Intergroup differences in immune-related parameters before and during chemotherapy were not significant. After chemotherapy, the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes was significantly higher in the ginseng group than in the control group (42.01% vs. 33.69%, p=0.048). The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes was also higher in the ginseng group (2.03 vs. 1.28, p=0.027). Neutropenia and liver dysfunction prevalence did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion

The ginseng group, which received Korean Red ginseng daily during adjuvant chemotherapy, showed higher levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio after chemotherapy.

Research Insights

  • Red Ginseng→Increased CD4+ T Cell Count

    After chemotherapy, the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes was significantly higher in the ginseng group than in the control group (42.01% vs. 33.69%, p=0.048).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily (dose not specified in abstract)
  • Red Ginseng→Increased CD4+/CD8+ T Lymphocyte Ratio

    The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes was also higher in the ginseng group (2.03 vs. 1.28, p=0.027).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily (dose not specified in abstract)
  • Red Ginseng→Reduced Liver Dysfunction

    Neutropenia and liver dysfunction prevalence did not differ between the groups.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    daily (dose not specified in abstract)
  • Red Ginseng→Reduced Neutropenia

    Neutropenia and liver dysfunction prevalence did not differ between the groups.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    daily (dose not specified in abstract)
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