National Toxicology Program

Ginseng and Ginsenosides

50647-08-0

1. BASIS OF NOMINATION TO THE CSWG
2. INPUT FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES/INDUSTRY
3. ACTION BY CSWG
4. CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION
5. EXPOSURE INFORMATION
   1. Environmental Occurrence
   2. Production and Producers
   3. Production/Import Levels
   4. Use Pattern
   5. Human Exposure
   6. Regulatory Status
6. EVIDENCE FOR POSSIBLE CARCINOGENIC ACTIVITY
   1. Human Data
   2. Animal Data
   3. Short-Term Tests
   4. Metabolism
   5. Other Biological Effects
   6. Structure-Activity Relationships
7. References

Appendix 1

Ginseng and ginsenosides are presented to the CSWG as part of a review of botanicals used as dietary supplements. Worldwide, ginseng production is a $3 billion industry. Asia is the largest market; 80 percent of American ginseng is exported to Asia. Ginseng is also a popular herbal remedy in the US, with five to six million persons using it even before the recent boom in the herbal supplement industry. Although ginseng root is commonly used, a standardized ginseng extract, Ginsana^TM, with annual sales of over $40 million, is the most popular encapsulated form.

Numerous reports of adverse effects from products containing ginseng have been filed with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The literature also documents "ginseng abuse syndrome" among regular users. The chronic effects of ginseng are not well characterized; studies of some components suggest anticarcinogenic activity.

The American Botanical Council provided monographs on Asian Ginseng (Botanical Series - 303) and American Ginseng (Botanical Series - 308) to assist with this project and indicated that their study of ginseng products will not be available until next year.

ACTION BY CSWG: 9/16/98

Studies requested:

Priority: High

Rationale/Remarks:

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