Antioxidant Activity of Panax ginseng to Regulate ROS in Various Chronic Diseases
, Jong Chan Ahn 1,†, Ramya Mathiyalagan 1, Esrat Jahan Rupa 1, Reshmi Akter 1, Md. Rezaul Karim 1,2, Dae Hyo Jung 1, Dong Uk Yang 1, Deok Chun Yang 1,* and Seok Kyu Jung 3,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In a quick search of the literature, we found few review articles gathering the antioxidant actions of P. ginseng and its isolated compounds in different types of diseases. The study of the biological effects of P. ginseng is of relevance due primarily to its antioxidant potential.
Below the authors can find some comments and suggestions about the work.
1. The introduction section is well written and provides the reader with an overview of P. ginseng and its constituents as potential antioxidant compounds that could be a target in the treatment of diseases. Besides, briefly the authors described the ginsenosides which are a set of different isolated compounds that represent the most part of pharmacology actions of ginseng. Sections 2 and 3 are also well described and provide a general definition of concepts such as oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species and cellular signaling pathways. Interestingly, the authors' description is related to the actions of P. ginseng.
2. In the section 4 (page 4), replace “enxyemes”à “enzymes” (7th and 9th line).
In the section 2 (page 2), replace “Moreover, Our bodies…”à “Moreover, our bodies” (6th line)
In the section 2 (page 3), replace “e) developing end boosting…”à “e) developing and boosting…” (8th line)
In the section 5.4 (page 8), replace “…research, By comparing…”à “…research, by comparing…”
3. Section 4 needs to be restructured. The information in this section was repeated and generally only one message could be identified: P. ginseng and gensinosides have antioxidant activities. The title of the section proposes the description of signaling pathways which are modulated by P. ginseng and ginsenosides. However, the paragraph only describes that antioxidant actions have been described through the scavenging of free radicals and by increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes. Although Table 1 summarizes antioxidant mechanisms and some pathways of cellular signaling, the text lacks a more in depth description. Authors should explore this topic further.
4. Authors must carry out an in depth revision of the text. In subtopic 5.2., the sentence “Neuroprotection inhibits or delays the neurogenerative process to minimize neuronal death [88]” was written repeatedly.
5. Throughout the text, referring to the effects of P. ginseng, the authors used the expression “…produces antioxidant enzymes…” several times.
· 5. Discussion section (line 14)
· 5.5. Antioxidant activities of P. ginseng in other diseases section (line 9)
However, this is not a good description. In these cases, I suggest using an expression such as “induces an increased expression” or “increases enzyme activity”.
6. Please correct the title number sequences. The numbering of the conclusion topic would be 6.
7. Figure 3 is not clear about the actions of the P. ginseng. For example, what do the red arrows towards MPP, Keap1, and PI3K mean? Furthermore, it is not clear whether the symbols in red demonstrate a direct action of the plant and the description of the meaning of the symbols such as "X" must be described in the legend.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
In a quick search of the literature, we found a few review articles gathering the antioxidant actions of P. ginseng and its isolated compounds in different types of diseases. The study of the biological effects of P. ginseng is of relevance due primarily to its antioxidant potential.
Below the authors can find some comments and suggestions about the work.
- Comment: The introduction section is well written and provides the reader with an overview of ginseng and its constituents as potential antioxidant compounds that could be a target in the treatment of diseases. Besides, briefly, the authors described the ginsenosides, a set of different isolated compounds that represent most part of the pharmacology actions of ginseng. Sections 2 and 3 are also well described and provide a general definition of concepts such as oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, and cellular signaling pathways. Interestingly, the author’s description is related to the actions of P. ginseng.
Response: Thank you for the comments.
- In the section 4 (page 4), replace “enxyemes”à “enzymes” (7thand 9th line).
In the section 2 (page 2), replace “Moreover, Our bodies…”à “Moreover, our bodies” (6th line)
In the section 2 (page 3), replace “e) developing end boosting…”à “e) developing and boosting…” (8th line)
In the section 5.4 (page 8), replace “…research, By comparing…”à “…research, by comparing…”
Response: Thanks for your valuable comments. We already changed all corrections in the manuscript.
- Section 4 needs to be restructured. The information in this section was repeated; generally, only one message could be identified: ginsengand ginsenosides have antioxidant activities. The section's title proposes the description of signaling pathways modulated by P. ginseng and ginsenosides. However, the paragraph only describes antioxidant actions through the scavenging of free radicals and by increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes. Although Table 1 summarizes antioxidant mechanisms and some pathways of cellular signaling, the text lacks a more in-depth description. Authors should explore this topic further.
Response: thank you for your comments. We edited and updated the manuscript in section 4.
- Authors must carry out an in-depth revision of the text. In subtopic 5.2., the sentence “Neuroprotection inhibits or delays the neurogenerative process to minimize neuronal death [88]”was written repeatedly.
Response: Thanks for your valuable comments. We already changed the correction in the manuscript.
- Throughout the text, referring to the effects of P. ginseng, the authors used the expression “…produces antioxidant enzymes…”several times.
- 5. Discussion section (line 14)
- 5.5. Antioxidant activities of P. ginseng in other diseases section (line 9)
However, this is not a good description. In these cases, I suggest using an expression such as “induces an increased expression” or “increases enzyme activity”.
Response: Thank you for the instruction. We changed the expression.
- Please correct the title number sequences. The numbering of the conclusion topic would be 6.
Response: thanks for your suggestion. We already corrected the order.
- Figure 3 is not clear about the actions of the P. ginseng. For example, what do the red arrows toward MPP, Keap1, and PI3K mean? Furthermore, it is not clear whether the symbols in red demonstrate a direct action of the plant, and the description of meaning of the symbols such as "X" must be described in the legend.
Response: Thank you for the comment. we already edited figure 3 and the description.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Abstract section
"An asymmetry between the antioxidant defense system and ROS from intracellular and extracellular sources causes homeostasis, apoptosis, and autophagy which is related to chronic diseases."
Is it correct to use the word "homeostasis" in this sentence?
Could you check again? Can you explain why you used that word?
5. P. ginseng in ROS-mediated diseases (plant name sould be italic, and elsewhere in the text)
5.3. Antioxidant activities of P. ginseng in Cardiovascular diseases
For example, Heart failure can be caused by ROS-inducing cardiac apoptosis and narcosis [118,119]. Narcosis ? or necrosis?
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
"An asymmetry between the antioxidant defense system and ROS from intracellular and extracellular sources causes homeostasis, apoptosis, and autophagy which is related to chronic diseases."
Is it correct to use the word "homeostasis" in this sentence?
Could you check again? Can you explain why you used that word?
Response: thank You. we already checked and edited the abstract.
- P. ginseng in ROS-mediated diseases (plant name should be in italics, and elsewhere in the text)
Response: Thank you. We changed the format.
5.3. Antioxidant activities of P. ginseng in Cardiovascular diseases
For example, Heart failure can be caused by ROS-inducing cardiac apoptosis and narcosis [118,119]. Narcosis? or necrosis?
Response: it should be necrosis mentioned in the reference paper [118]. We already changed the term.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
This manuscript deals with " Antioxidant activity of Panax ginseng to regulate ROS in various chronic diseases.". This article claims that using of Panax ginseng could be a suitable oxidative stress related chronic disease. The topic is promising and I really enjoyed. Therefore, I suggest a minor correction and require a detailed clarification.
Correction to be addressed by the authors as follows:
The abstract is not well organized, where the sentences are incomplete and no continuity is there. It would be feasible, if include the significance of the current study in the abstract.
A brief description of how the authors selected information from the literature in the databases, as well as what time period they searched for, is missing. Authors should justify and expand the information on toxicity of Panax ginseng in which is mentioned, highlighting the main contribution in the preclinical and clinical fields.
The major text of this manuscript is focused to some mechanisms but not in the case of pharmacological activities and clinical applications. It will be good if possible to authors to discuss role of mitochondria targeting using Panax ginseng against oxidative stress. Also, please discuss about the protective role of this natural medicine against disease using NFkB-mediated apoptosis. Authors should specify the main experimental conditions used on the evidences from the literature. Where they briefly describe the most important data reported in the literature in a homogeneous manner and sequence reinforcing the relevance of this species as medicinal alternative. Authors should discuss whether the use of Panax ginseng is best alternative for currents treatment methods? and also discuss the possibility of using nanoformulations of other antioxidants including quercetin and curcumin represents a solid alternative to existing medicines?. Please add more previous studies to your manuscript in discussion section using these papers: -DOI:10.1155/2021/4946711 -DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.117 Conclusions should reaffirm the fundamental contribution of this Review.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 3 Comments
This manuscript deals with " Antioxidant activity of Panax ginseng to regulate ROS in various chronic diseases.". This article claims that using Panax ginseng could be a suitable oxidative stress-related chronic disease. The topic is promising and I really enjoyed it. Therefore, I suggest a minor correction and require a detailed clarification.
Correction to be addressed by the authors as follows:
- The abstract is not well organized, the sentences are incomplete, and there is no continuity. It would be feasible to include the current study's significance in the abstract.
Response: Thank you so much. We tried to organize the abstract.
- A brief description of how the authors selected information from the literature in the databases and what time period they searched for is missing.
Response: Thank you for your comment. We added the research methodology in section 2.
- Authors should justify and expand the information on the toxicity of Panax ginseng mentioned, highlighting the main contribution in the preclinical and clinical fields.
Response: we added information regarding the toxicity of Panax ginseng in section 8 -Discussion.
- The major text of this manuscript is focused on some mechanisms but not in the case of pharmacological activities and clinical applications. It will be good if possible to authors to discuss the role of mitochondria targeting using Panax ginseng against oxidative stress.
Response: Thank you so much. We added this content in the 6.5 section.
- Also, please discuss the protective role of this natural medicine against disease using NFkB-mediated apoptosis.
Response: Thanks, we added the activity of Panax ginseng in NF-ĸB mediated apoptosis in table 2.
- Authors should specify the main experimental conditions used on the evidence from the literature. Where they briefly describe the most important data reported in the literature in a homogeneous manner and sequence reinforcing the relevance of this species as a medicinal alternative. Authors should discuss whether the use of Panax ginseng is the best alternative for current treatment methods. and also discuss the possibility of using nanoformulations of other antioxidants including quercetin and curcumin represents a solid alternative to existing medicines.
Response: Thanks, we included this content in section 7 .
- Please add more previous studies to your manuscript in the discussion section using these papers: -DOI:10.1155/2021/4946711 -DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.117
Response: We have deleted, edited, and added some lines in the discussion section according to the suggested paper.
- Conclusions should reaffirm the fundamental contribution of this Review.
Response: thank you, we rearrange the conclusion section. We deleted some irrelated lines and added some related points.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
