[아는 것이 힘]Steady consumption of red ginseng helps to prevent pneumonia by activating immune cells

[이데일리 이순용 기자] As the strongest cold wave with a felt temperature of minus 20 degrees continued, the red light was turned on for health care in winter. The number of corona patients has passed the peak and entered an endemic trend, but it is still ongoing, and flu is also prevalent, raising concerns that some cold medicines may not be in smooth supply. In particular, from the 30th, indoor mask wearing is alleviated, so it is more important to manage your immunity in everyday life.

Experts said, “Viral diseases are highly contagious, and if the elderly, children, or people suffering from other diseases are at risk of developing various diseases by lowering immunity, prevention is important.” Therefore, it is important to increase immunity by yourself along with thorough personal hygiene management such as washing hands on a daily basis. It is also good to consume foods that help improve immunity, such as red ginseng.

Red ginseng helps both the innate and acquired immune system. Red ginseng protects our body from infection by external viruses by activating ‘macrophages’ responsible for innate immunity and secreting cytokines, which are immunomodulatory substances that can remove infiltrated viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells. Acquired immune function is mediated by ‘T cells’ present in the thymus of the chest. Red ginseng increases the production of antibodies and activates cell-mediated immunity, helping to effectively prevent the invasion of harmful bacteria and viruses.

◇ Red ginseng, effective in preventing respiratory diseases

Professor Lee Dong-kwon’s team at Sungkyunkwan University’s College of Pharmacy administered 100 mg/kg of red ginseng and physiological saline each day to experimental mice infected with pneumococcal bacteria and observed them for 15 days. The group of mice fed red ginseng survived 100%. In addition, compared to the control group, red ginseng significantly decreased inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and pneumococcal counts.

◇ Synergy effect when vaccine and red ginseng are used together

Professor Kang Sang-mu’s team at Georgia State University School of Medicine in the US infected experimental mice with the H1N1 influenza virus and compared the survival rate. When the vaccine and red ginseng were administered together, the survival rate was 99%, and when the vaccine was administered alone, the survival rate was 60%. %, normal rats showed that only 40% survived.

Sungkyunkwan University College of Pharmacy Professor Dong-Kwon Lee’s team administered a pneumococcal vaccine (Δpep27) while ingesting red ginseng (100 mg/kg) for 15 days to experimental mice, and then infected them with Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) strains 7 days later. As a result, only the pneumococcal vaccine was inoculated Compared to one case, when vaccinated after administration of red ginseng, the antibody production rate increased by about 25%. It can be said that red ginseng enhances the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccine by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by pneumococcal bacteria, suppressing cell death and reducing inflammation.

Sungkyunkwan University Professor Cho Jae-yeol said, “So far, there have been antiviral research results of red ginseng against about 10 types of viruses, including influenza and AIDS.” It regulates the activity of acquired immune cells (T cells, B cells, etc.) to show antiviral and pneumococcal effects.”