LONGECITY

Effects of vietnamese ginseng on opioid agonist — and conditioned fear stress-induced antinociception

We investigated the effects of Vietnamese ginseng (VG) extract, VG saponin and the VG major saponin constituent majonoside-R2 on opioid receptor agonist-induced antinociception using the tail-pinch and hot-plate tests in mice and on conditioned fear stress-induced antinociception using the tail-flick test in rats. VG extract (50–100 mg/kg, p.o.), VG saponin (12.5–25 mg/kg, p.o.) and majonoside-R2 (6.2–12.5 mg/kg, p.o.), as well as Panax ginseng extract (PG extract, 50–100 mg/kg, p.o.), dose-dependently attenuated the μ-opioid agonist morphine-induced antinociception in the tail-pinch and hot-plate tests. Moreover, repeated administration of VG saponin and majonoside-R2 suppressed the development of morphine tolerance in the tail-pinch test. VG extract (100–200 mg/kg, p.o.) also dose-dependently blocked the antinociceptive effects of the selective κ-opioid agonist U-50, 488H in the tail-pinch and hot-plate tests, while PG extract (100–200 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently attenuated the U-50,488H-induced antinociception in the hot-plate test but not in the tail-pinch test. VG saponin (6.2–25 mg/kg, p.o.) blocked the U-50,488H-induced antinociception in the tail-pinch test but not in the hot-plate test. Furthermore, VG saponin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and majonoside-R2 (6.2 mg/kg, i.p.), as well as naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.), reversed the tail-flick latency increased by conditioned fear stress in rats. These results indicate that VG and its major saponin constituent, majonoside-R2, attenuate the antinociception caused by opioid agonists and conditioned fear stress.

http://www.sciencedi...944711396800079

Ethnobotanically it is a secret medicine of the Sedang ethnic group as a miraculous, life-saving plant drug used for the treatment of many serious diseases and for enhancing body strength in long journeys in high mountains.^{[citation needed]}
In tests, Vietnamese ginseng extract attenuated psychological stress-induced antinociception, produced the protective effect against psychological stress-induced gastric lesions, and restored the stress-induced decrease in pentobarbital sleep to the normal level.^{[citation needed]} This action was not observed on Panax ginseng extract. Vietnamese ginseng extract showed inhibitory activity on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by TPA. This activity was concentrated to the saponin fraction and especially, major saponin, majonoside R2 exhibited the strongest activity.^[5]

Wikipedia



Recently there has been some attention brought towards the opioid kappa-receptor as a fundamental operator of fear, depression, anxiety and anhedonia. It appears that Vietnamese Ginseng blocks k-opioid agonist effects, while Panax Ginseng only has partial effect.

I've always liked the idea of using adaptogens to "teach" the nervous system a better way to function and respond to stress. Panax Ginseng has been very useful and never fails to at least make things more bearable, but it's not fully effective for fear extinction. Vietnamese Ginseng may have greater potential for attenuating conditioned fear stress, but it seems rather rare herb and difficult to find a place to buy it. Anyone know a reliable source to buy it in bulk?

Very nice find, thanks.

Good find, I was not awared of the existence of a vietnamese ginseng. I'm also interested in finding a good source for it.

i cant read the full article, they make you pay :/
but "vietnamese ginseng" sounds like a comercial name, is it another species refered to as vietnamese ginseng or is it ginseng species but just difference is it grows specifically in vietnam hence refered to as vietnamese ? im kind of confused...

"Panax vietnamensis" is the botanical name, it's sympatric with other Panax species, and grown in Vietnam mountains. The saponin composition differs, although it also seems to contain few ginsenosides (found in "true Ginseng") and even a gypenoside (found in Jiaogulan "southern Ginseng"), It's the unique saponin majonoside-R2 that appears to be responsible for the kappa-blockade.

galaxyshock, do you think this specific saponin blocking kappa receptors is actually a very good addition to anti-addiction potential in addicts ?

galaxyshock, do you think this specific saponin blocking kappa receptors is actually a very good addition to anti-addiction potential in addicts ?

Could very well be that VG has anti-addiction potential due to this and reducing withdrawals. It seems to also block some of mu-agonism effects, and showed that "repeated administration of VG saponin and majonoside-R2 suppressed the development of morphine tolerance".

+ At least Panax Ginseng is shown to prevent damage from various drugs of abuse (amphetamines, cocaine, ethanol toxicity), I would assume VG has similar benefits.

only problem, its too obscure to be brought easily. you have any idea of other substances working similar way for anti-addiction potential ? those are vital to me, thanks.

isn't lions mane a kappa antagonist? I'm trying to find the post that had the study but the search isn';t turning it up

found it

http://www.longecity...-kappa-agonist/

but its a kappa agonist. not sure I'm aware of what that actually means in practical terms

Normalizing - I seem to remember black seed oil working well for opiate addictions, I'm not sure what you're working with specifically but you may want to check it out. Very interesting stuff.

Also, ibogaine.. But that can be hard to come by and utilize.

^ lol ibogaine is much more obscure than the discussed vietnamese ginseng. very bad recomend
dunno what does black seed oil do, never heard of it being helpful in addictions...

and ehvam if lions mane is actually kappa agonist, not sure if thats the reason, but it made me kind of depressed and hyper but interesting to know this, good mention.

Too bad, it's not available. I would love to try it.

^ lol ibogaine is much more obscure than the discussed vietnamese ginseng. very bad recomend
dunno what does black seed oil do, never heard of it being helpful in addictions...

and ehvam if lions mane is actually kappa agonist, not sure if thats the reason, but it made me kind of depressed and hyper but interesting to know this, good mention.

Ibogaine is illegal in the US, but far from obscure, having been well researched for decades. It has been applied in folkloric medicine and ritual for centuries and has been used around the world in areas where legal (and not) for decades.

Kappa agonists can indeed cause dysphoria/depression, though I am not sure a normal intake of Lion's Mane will be sufficient for the KOR agonist component (given concentration and bioavailability) to engender significant kappa agonist expression.

The hyperactivity would not be a factor of kappa agonist activity.

^ hyperacitvity might have been with something else but i did take potent capsules of lion's mane for a week once and it just started getting bad with the dysphoria depression so im sure it was that one supplement who did it. knowing now that, it has kappa agonism and the effects of those.

and i meant to say, ibogaine is not as obscure in sense its not known but thats its extremely hard to acquire, just like the herb we discuss in this thread. except, this one is not even illegal only difference. so im not sure how a person can get a hold of ibogaine. im sure they do some legal researches with it still on and off in US ?

Ibogaine hits so many receptors, it's misleading and dangerous to bring it up in regard to kappa antagonism.

Also, in my own experience, the mechanisms that make it effective in addiction also make it particularly damaging in other kappa disorders.

^ what kappa disorders might make it damaging in ? btw did you take too high of a dose ? maybe dose dependent wont be as bad.

Just to clarify, I was not suggesting the use of ibogaine, just half-heartedly mentioning I've heard its very effective for opiate addictions. Considering how many of my friends' lives I've seen ruined by opiates, I would readily take a quick trip to canada where they have a clinic for such things if I found myself in that situation. I also have no information on any kappa receptor activity and wasn't trying to imply it was useful for such things.

That said, lets get back to discussing this very interesting vietnamese ginseng.

Just to clarify, I was not suggesting the use of ibogaine, just half-heartedly mentioning I've heard its very effective for opiate addictions. Considering how many of my friends' lives I've seen ruined by opiates, I would readily take a quick trip to canada where they have a clinic for such things if I found myself in that situation. I also have no information on any kappa receptor activity and wasn't trying to imply it was useful for such things.

That said, lets get back to discussing this very interesting vietnamese ginseng.

Good to see some discussion but yeah let's focus on the topic.

 

Ngoc Linh Ginseng is another name for VG. I found some vendor that sells liquid VG extract in huge bulk orders. Also a vietnamese pharmacy-like online store selling in capsules but I'm not sure if they sell abroad, I'll have to look into it better. Of course the product quality is also something to concern..

 

 

It indeed appears that majonoside-R2 is present in rather high amount in the herb, so an extract may not be necessary:

 

Bioactive saponins in vietnamese ginseng, panax vietnamensis.

Vietnamese ginseng, Panax vietnamensis was recently found in central Vietnam, and regarded as a new botanical species. It was used in traditional folk medicine in hill tribes for the purpose of anti-fatigue and life saving. From the rhizome and root of this plant, 37 saponins including 14 new compounds were isolated. Some of them were common to other Panax spp., but the general yields in this species were very high. Among them, an ocotillol-type saponin majonoside-R2 (MR2) was remarkable in its yield (5.3%). Structural features of new saponins were briefly introduced. The biological effects of these saponins were studied in two ways, anti-stress effect and anti-tumor promoting effect; both activities were based upon the traditional usage of this crude drug. In psychologically stressed mice, the saponin fraction of Vietnamese ginseng significantly reduced stress-related disorders (reducing sleeping time, formation of gastric lesions) and MR2 was responsible for this effect. A possible mechanism for this effect was proposed. MR2 exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) induced by the tumor promoter phorbol acetate. MR2 also showed potent anti-tumor-promoting activity on mouse skin and hepatic tumors.

 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/23531134

Edited by Galaxyshock, 09 April 2014 - 05:05 PM.

if the capsules are sold abroad, im interested. im not interested in any liquids since their proportion of active substance in ml is confusing, questionable. i used to buy liquid extracts of herbs, never consistent and you might need to take more than you have to, ending with a product which finishes quick and becomes costy.

 

please keep update if anything. hopefuly if the active constituent yelds so much in raw product, might as well just buy the product and extract however you can....