Effect of ginseng consumption on innate immunity in healthy adults

This trial is aimed at evaluating the interrelationship between innate immunity and ginsenoside bioavailability. The trial is a double-blinded parallel design. This design was selected since this is a preliminary study and the time-dependent bioactivity of ginseng red berry metabolites within the body is currently unknown; a parallel design will eliminate any residual bioactivity of the ginseng or placebo. Participants will be randomised into 2 groups; group 1 will consume a single dose of a ginseng red berry supplement containing 750 mg ginseng red berry extract, where as group 2 will consume a matched placebo, which will contain a cellulose food filler equivalent to the berry extract in the ginseng supplement. These supplements are made commerically by Natural F&P Corporation (South Korea) and meet both NZ and Korea food safety requirements for human consumption and will be adminstered to particpants as 3 tablets (each containing 250 mg ginseng red berry extract) with water. This trial will take place in designated clinical facilities within PFR and be conducted by experienced trial co-ordinators, who are also First Aiders and trained phlebotomist. Particpants will be asked to initially donate a venous blood sample (~ 15 ml) and then consume a supplement (ginseng or placebo). They will then be asked to donate further venous blood samples at specific times (2, 5, 7, 9 and 24 hrs ) over the day. In addtion, participants will be asked to collect their urine (collecting devise and containers will be provided) for 24 hrs..