Ginseng May Harm Embryonic Development

Ginseng May Harm Embryonic Development

HONG KONG--Ginseng appears to have negative effects onembryonic development, according to in vitro research published in the Octoberissue of Human Reproduction (18, 10:2166-8, 2003) (http://humrep.oupjournals.org).Researchers at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong,investigated ginseng's effects on a rat embryo culture model during the criticaldevelopmental period known as organogenesis.

Researchers exposed rat embryos to various concentrations of ginsenoside Rb1,one of 13 identified ginsenosides from Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), andanalyzed growth and differentiation at the end of the culture period. Resultsindicated embryos exposed to 30 mcg/mL of ginsenoside Rb1 had significantlylower morphological scores than control embryos. Specifically, scores forflexion, forelimb and hindlimb were significantly reduced after exposure toginseng. And, the median total morphological scores were further decreased whenthe concentration of ginsenoside Rb1 was increased to 50 mcg/mL.

Researchers concluded ginseng could exert teratogenic effects on rat embryos,meaning it caused developmental malformations. Until more is known about theeffects of ginsenoside in women of reproductive age, they suggested ginseng beused cautiously.