Korean J Dermatol.  1982 Feb;20(1):83-91.

Influence of Ginseng Powder and Ginseng Saponin on the Growth of Candida albicans in vitro

• Nam KH
• Kim SN

Abstract

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliacea) has been known for thousands of years in the Far East as a remedy effective against a multitude of ailments. Pharmacological investigations have shown that the basic effect in ginseng action is its capacity to increase nonspecific resistance of the organism to various untoward influences. Ginseng saponin has been considered the active principle for ginsengs most therapeutic properties. Recently, the use of cream and soap with ginseng extract has been gradually increasing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Panax ginseng to Candida albicans in vitro. During this experiment ginseng saponin and powder of Panax ginseng root were diluted serially in Sabouraud's dextrose agar, and candidial suspensions of isolated strains from candidial intertrigo and female genitalia were inoculated into each medium containing different concentrations of test materials. Then their growth was observed for weeks at 25'C. After that we measured the size of colonies grown in various concentrations and eompared them with those of the Sabourauds dextrose media. For the complementary study Candida albicans strain isolated from vagina were plated on both Sabouraud's dextrose media and 80 mg/cc ginseng root powder. Microscopic examination, germ tube test and sugar fermentation test were then performed to compare the production of budding cells, the growth of pseudo-hyphae and the characteristics of the yeast on each media. Results from this study show that ginseng saponin and roots of Panax ginseng have no significant effect on growth and multiplication and the characteristics of Candida albicans in vitro.

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans