The detrimental impact of air pollution as a result of frequent exposure to fine particles posed a global public health risk mainly to the pulmonary disorders in pediatric and geriatric population. Here, we reviewed the current literature regarding the role of ginseng and/or its components as antimicrobials, especially against pathogens that cause respiratory infections in animal and in vitro models. Some of the possible mechanisms for ginseng-mediated viral inhibition suggested are improvements in systemic and mucosa-specific antibody responses, serum hemagglutinin inhibition, lymphocyte proliferation, cell survival rate, and viral clearance in the lungs. In addition, ginseng reduces the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8) and chemokines produced by airway epithelial cells and macrophages, thus preventing weight loss. In case of bacterial infections, ginseng acts by alleviating inflammatory cytokine production, increasing survival rates, and activating phagocytes and natural killer cells. In addition, ginseng inhibits biofilm formation and induces the dispersion and dissolution of mature biofilms. Most clinical trials revealed that ginseng, at various dosages, is a safe and effective method of seasonal prophylaxis, relieving the symptoms and reducing the risk and duration of colds and flu. Taken together, these findings support the efficacy of ginseng as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for respiratory infections.

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人参减轻呼吸道微生物感染：综述

由于频繁接触细颗粒物而导致的空气污染的不利影响，主要对儿童和老年人群的肺部疾病构成了全球公共卫生风险。在这里，我们回顾了目前关于人参和/或其成分作为抗菌剂的作用的文献，特别是在动物和体外模型中对抗引起呼吸道感染的病原体的作用。人参介导的病毒抑制的一些可能机制是改善全身和粘膜特异性抗体反应、血清血凝素抑制、淋巴细胞增殖、细胞存活率和肺部病毒清除。此外，人参可降低气道上皮细胞和巨噬细胞产生的促炎细胞因子（IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-2、IL-4、IL-5、IL-6、IL-8）和趋化因子的表达水平，从而防止体重减轻。在细菌感染的情况下，人参的作用是减轻炎症细胞因子的产生，提高存活率，并激活吞噬细胞和自然杀伤细胞。此外，人参抑制生物膜形成并诱导成熟生物膜的分散和溶解。大多数临床试验表明，不同剂量的人参是一种安全有效的季节性预防方法，可缓解症状并减少感冒和流感的风险和持续时间。总之，这些发现支持人参作为呼吸道感染治疗和预防剂的功效。人参抑制生物膜形成并诱导成熟生物膜的分散和溶解。大多数临床试验表明，不同剂量的人参是一种安全有效的季节性预防方法，可缓解症状并减少感冒和流感的风险和持续时间。总之，这些发现支持人参作为呼吸道感染治疗和预防剂的功效。人参抑制生物膜形成并诱导成熟生物膜的分散和溶解。大多数临床试验表明，不同剂量的人参是一种安全有效的季节性预防方法，可缓解症状并减少感冒和流感的风险和持续时间。总之，这些发现支持人参作为呼吸道感染治疗和预防剂的功效。