J Surg Oncol 1999 Dec;72(4):230-9 Duda RB, Zhong Y, Navas V, Li MZ, Toy BR, Alavarez JG Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Background and Objectives American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) purportedly alleviates menopause symptoms because of putative estrogenicity. METHODS: Using a standardized American ginseng (AG) extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, the objectives were to evaluate the ability of AG to induce the estrogen- regulated gene pS2 by Northern blot analysis, determine the effect on cell growth using the MTT assay, and evaluate the cell cycle effects by flow cytometry. RESULTS: AG and estradiol equivalently induced RNA expression of pS2. AG, in contrast to estradiol, caused a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation (P < 0.005). AG had no adverse effect on the cell cycle while estradiol significantly increased the proliferative phase (percent S-phase) and decreased the resting phase (G(0)-G(1) phase) (P < 0.005). Concurrent use of AG and breast cancer therapeutic agents resulted in a significant (P < 0.005) suppression of cell growth for most drugs evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro use of AG and breast cancer therapeutics synergistically inhibited cancer cell growth. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 10589039, UI: 20057888 Ann's NOTE: American Ginseng (AG) was shown to be estrogenic but NOT HARMFUL. In fact by itself it had NO bad effect on the cell cycle (cancer cell). When combined with "breast cancer therapeutic agents" (currently unspecified-I will search this out), it showed strong suppression of cell growth. This seems to mean that American Ginseng enhanced the action of these therapeutic agents. An Issue for All Dietary Supplements Int J Oncol 1999 Chemosensitization of Paclitaxel by Ginseng (Element) Cancer Detection & Prevention 2000 Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) reduces angiogenesis mice Am Diabetes Assoc, 6/03 Abstract #1676 Abstract #2979 C Ginseng Element & Apoptosis in Multidrug Resistant Cells Ann Surg Oncol 1996 J Clin Pharm & Therap ASCO Press Release June 2007 Press release, 8/08 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.