Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2011 Apr;3(2):103-110. 10.4168/aair.2011.3.2.103.

Therapeutic Effects of Fermented Red Ginseng in Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

• Jung JW
• Kang HR
• Ji GE
• Park MS
• Song WJ
• Kim MH
• Kwon JW
• Kim TW
• Park HW
• Cho SH
• Min KU

• KMID: 2130361
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2011.3.2.103

Abstract

PURPOSE
Allergic rhinitis is clinically defined as a disorder of the nose induced by IgE mediated inflammation after allergen exposure of the nasal mucosa. Many reports have stated that Panax ginseng and fermented red ginseng have anti-inflammatory effects, especially against Th2-type inflammation. This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effects of fermented red ginseng in allergic rhinitis.
METHODS
In this 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 59 patients with persistent perennial allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into two groups: those receiving fermented red ginseng tablets (experimental group) and those receiving placebo (control group). The primary efficacy variable was the total nasal symptom score (TNSS; rhinorrhea, sneezing, itchy nose, and nasal congestion). Secondary efficacy variables were the Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQoL) score and skin reactivity to inhalant allergens, as determined by the skin prick test.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the TNSS score and TNSS duration score between the experimental and placebo groups in weeks 1, 2, 3, or 4. For nasal congestion, fermented red ginseng was significantly effective (P<0.005), while placebo caused no change. The activity and emotion of RQoL improved markedly secondary to treatment with fermented red ginseng (P<0.05), while placebo caused no change. Additionally, fermented red ginseng reduced skin reactivity to sensitized perennial allergens (P<0.05). Fermented red ginseng was well tolerated.
CONCLUSIONS
Fermented red ginseng improved nasal congestion symptoms and RQoL in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

Keyword

Allergic rhinitis; alternative medicine; fermented ginseng; ginsenoside

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Complementary Therapies
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Inflammation
Nasal Mucosa
Nose
Panax
Quality of Life
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Skin
Sneezing
Tablets
Allergens
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
Immunoglobulin E
Tablets

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Weekly improvement from baseline to week 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the total nasal symptom score (TNSS). (A) Mean TNSS score, (B) itchy nose, (C) nasal congestion, (D) runny nose, and (F) sneezing score. *P<0.05, vs. baseline, analyzed by the paired t-test.

• 

  Fig. 2 Weekly improvement from baseline to week 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the total nasal symptom score (TNSS) symptom duration score. (A) Mean TNSS duration score, (B) itchy nose, (C) nasal congestion, (D) runny nose, and (F) sneezing score. *P<0.05, vs. baseline, analyzed by the paired t-test.

• 

  Fig. 3 Change in mean value from baseline to week 4 in overall Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQoL) score and individual RQoL domain scores. *P<0.05, vs. baseline, analyzed by the paired t-test.

• 

  Fig. 4 (A) Skin reactivity size to histamine. (B) Mean size to perennial inhalant allergen. *P<0.05, analyzed by Student's t-test. †P<0.05, analyzed by the paired t-test.

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