SMWU Research Team Finds Red Ginseng-Derived Nanovesicles May Improve Osteoporosis
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2026-07-06
(from left) Prof. Se Hwan Mun, Prof. Young Yang
A research team from Sookmyung Women's University's Research Institute of Women's Health(RIWH), led by Professors Se Hwan Mun and Young Yang (Division of Biological Sciences), has found that nanovesicles isolated from Red ginseng show therapeutic potential for osteoporosis, suggesting a new natural biomaterial for future treatment strategies.
A research team focused on Red ginseng-derived nanovesicles (RGNVs), lipid bilayer particles roughly 200nm in size that carry various ginsenosides and functional proteins. Using nanoparticle tracking analysis and electron microscopy, the researchers confirmed the size and structure of the vesicles and verified that red ginseng's characteristic bioactive compounds were encapsulated inside.
A research team demonstrated that RGNVs promote the differentiation of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, while suppressing the formation and bone-resorbing activity of osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone.
The researchers further validated these effects in an ovariectomized animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Oral administration of RGNVs mitigated bone loss and improved femoral bone density and trabecular microstructure. Histological analysis showed increased osteoblast activity and decreased osteoclast activity, along with lower levels of serum bone resorption markers.
The study was conducted jointly by Professor Se Hwan Mun (co-first author) and Professor Yang Young (co-author) of the Research Institute of Women's Health, together with Professor Young-Eun Cho's team at Gyeongkuk National University. The findings were published in June 2026 in The Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Impact Factor 12.6, top 1.9% in JCR), a leading international journal in pharmaceutical and biomaterial sciences, under the title "Red Ginseng-Derived Nanovesicles to Modulate Osteoblast and Osteoclastogenesis for Osteoporosis Therapy."
The research, a collaborative effort involving Sookmyung and other domestic institutions, is notable for integrating the traditional bioactive value of red ginseng with nanobiotechnology to develop a preventive and therapeutic strategy for osteoporosis.
"Through joint research involving bone microstructure analysis and histological evaluation in an osteoporosis animal model, we confirmed the actual bone-protective effects of RGNVs," said Professor Mun. "We expect this study to serve as a foundation for developing natural, nanobio-based materials for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases."
■ View the Paper: Red ginseng-derived nanovesicles to modulate osteoblast and osteoclastogenesis for osteoporosis therapy↗