Black ginseng, a ginseng derivative (Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.) that has been repeatedly steamed and dried, is known to have biological and pharmacological activities. In the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a study has established its potential use in functional food and drugs, based on its distinct physicochemical properties and biological activity.

• Researchers compared the chemical composition and health benefits of black ginseng against its white and red variants.
• In particular, the researchers looked at the anti-diabetic effects of black ginseng using a Type 2 diabetic animal model.
• Black ginseng extract (GBG05-FF) was given to mice with Type 2 diabetes. Afterward, their blood, biological mechanism, and tissue samples were collected and analyzed.
• The team found that mice that were treated with GBG05-FF had reduced their blood glucose and glucose tolerance, compared with the control group. They also found that biomarkers related to diabetes such as main plasma parameters HbA1c and triglyceride also decreased in GBG05-FF-treated mice.
• Tissue analysis revealed that GBG05-FF decreased lipid buildup in the liver and muscle damage, as well as improved the expression of glucose transporters.

The study suggests that black ginseng extract GBG05-FF could be used in future development of functional food and drugs, given its anti-diabetic properties.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Kang OH, Shon MY, Kong R, Seo YS, Zhou T, Kim DY, Kim YS, Kwon DY. ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECT OF BLACK GINSENG EXTRACT BY AUGMENTATION OF AMPK PROTEIN ACTIVITY AND UPREGULATION OF GLUT2 AND GLUT4 EXPRESSION IN DB/DB MICE. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 29 June 2017;17. (341). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1839-4