Colon cancer is the second deadliest cancer in America. It is notoriously difficult to treat, because it becomes resistant to chemotherapy drugs, which can be fatal at high dosages. Fortunately, this research shows that red ginseng can be part of a treatment strategy. Researchers found that the botanical switches on naturally protective genes that prevent cancer cells from surviving and tumors from growing. These results are incredibly exciting and offer another desperately needed weapon in the fight against colon cancer.

Ginseng mediates its anti-cancer activity by inhibiting the expression of DNMTs and reactivating methylationsilenced genes in colorectal cancer.

OKUNO K, PRATAMA MY, LI J, TOKUNAGA M, WANG X, KINUGASA Y, GOEL A. CARCINOGENESIS. 2023 MAY 3:BGAD025.

BACKGROUND: Developing safe and effective therapeutic modalities remains a critical challenge for improving the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In this regard, targeting epigenetic regulation in cancers has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic approach. Since several natural compounds have recently been shown to be important epigenetic modulators, we hypothesized that Ginseng might exert its anti-cancer activity by regulating DNA methylation alterations in CRC.

METHODS: In this study, a series of cell culture studies were conducted, followed by their interrogation in patient-derived 3D organoid models to evaluate Ginseng’s anti-cancer activity in CRC. Genome-wide methylation alterations were interrogated by undertaking MethylationEpic BeadChip microarrays.

RESULTS: First, 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were determined by cell viability assays, and subsequent Ginseng treatment demonstrated a significant anti-cancer effect on clonogenicity and cellular migration in CRC cells. Treatment with Ginseng potentiated cellular apoptosis through regulation of apoptosis-related genes in CRC cells. Furthermore, Ginseng treatment downregulated the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and decreased the global DNA methylation levels in CRC cells. The genome-wide methylation profiling identified Ginseng-induced hypomethylation of transcriptionally silenced tumor suppressor genes. Finally, cell culture-based findings were successfully validated in patient-derived 3D organoids.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we demonstrate that Ginseng exerts its anti-tumorigenic potential by regulating cellular apoptosis via the downregulation of DNMTs and reversing the methylation status of transcriptionally silenced genes in CRC.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PATIENTS:

• Red ginseng reactivated protective, cancer-stopping genes
• Red ginseng reduced cancer cell colonies by 50%
• High red ginseng dosages dramatically reduced colon cancer cell survival

Anti-Cancer Activity of Red Ginseng

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Early screenings beginning at age 50 can help catch pre-cancerous polyps before they develop into tumors, but finding ways of preventing or reducing tumors is still a priority. Fortunately, red ginseng (Panax ginseng) reverses changes that can lead to cancer.

One of the ways the body becomes more susceptible to cancer is when a process called methylation is out of balance and essentially switches off genes in the body that would otherwise stop tumors. The causes behind this can be environmental or dietary reasons, or just a result of getting older. This study found that red ginseng selectively stopped excessive methylation in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and by doing so, reactivated the natural protective genes that prevent tumor growth. Additionally, it inhibited cancer cell cloning and tumor migration.

The red ginseng (HRG80) used in this study is a source of noble ginsenosides, including Rh2 and Rg3, compounds that have also shown helpful effects on methylation and tumor reduction in breast cancer and ovarian cancer cells in previous research. The concentration of these, and other rare ginsenosides, in this particular red ginseng is due to the plant’s hydroponic cultivation which provides ideal conditions for developing the protective compounds.

These results show that red ginseng can change the course of cancer by changing the epigenetic conditions that could otherwise fuel tumor growth. This should be welcome news to anyone at risk of colorectal cancer looking for safe and effective treatment to tip the balance in their favor.