• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.361-369
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• 2017

Background: The chemical constituents of Panax ginseng are changed by processing methods such as steaming or sun drying. In the present study, the chemical change of Panax ginseng induced by steaming was monitored in situ. Methods: Samples were separated from the same ginseng root by incision during the steaming process, for in situ monitoring. Sampling was sequentially performed in three stages; FG (fresh ginseng) ${\rightarrow}$ SG (steamed ginseng) ${\rightarrow}$ RG (red ginseng) and 60 samples were prepared and freeze dried. The samples were then analyzed to determine 43 constituents among three stages of P. ginseng. Results: The results showed that six malonyl-ginsenoside (Rg1, Rb1, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Rb2) and 15 amino acids were decreased in concentration during the steaming process. In contrast, ginsenoside-Rh1, 20(S)-Rg2, 20(S, R)-Rg3 and Maillard reaction product such as AF (arginine-fructose), AFG (arginine-fructose-glucose), and maltol were newly generated or their concentrations were increased. Conclusion: This study elucidates the dynamic changes in the chemical components of P. ginseng when the steaming process was induced. These results are thought to be helpful for quality control and standardization of herbal drugs using P. ginseng and they also provide a scientific basis for pharmacological research of processed ginseng (Red ginseng).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.946-950
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• 2009

Chemical components and antioxidative activities of white ginseng, red ginseng and extruded white ginseng (EWG) were evaluated. Extrusion condition was 20% moisture content, 100 and $140^{\circ}C$ barrel temperature. The results showed that total sugar and acidic polysaccharide contents of white ginseng powder were increased after extrusion treatment of which EWG at $140^{\circ}C$ barrel temperature had higher value than EWG at $100^{\circ}C$ barrel temperature. Free radical scavenging activity of EWG at $140^{\circ}C$ barrel temperature was 80.2 and 45.6% respectively. The butanol fraction of polyphenolic compound and acidic polysaccharide were $27.2{\pm}0.1\;mg/g$ and $217.6{\pm}0.7\;mg/g$, respectively. The ginsenosides were quantified by HPLC and the yield of ginsenoside-Rg3s and Rg3r were achieved by extrusion process.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.115-126
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• 1998

Four new dammarnae-glycosides named ginsenosides Rgs, Rh4, RsB and Rf2 have been isolated 1'rom Korean red ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) and their chemical structures have been elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods, including'H-'H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY, as 3-0- [$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl(1 ~2)-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl] dammar-20(22) , B4-diene-3P,12P-diol (ginsenoside Rgs),6-0-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl-dammar-20(22),24-diene-3P,6P, 12P-triol (ginsenoside Rh4),3-0- [6" -0-acetyl-D-glucopyranosyl(1 ~2)--D-glucopyranosyl] 20(5)- protopanaxadiol (ginsenoside Rs3) and 6-0- [u-L-rhamno-pyranosyl(1 ~2)-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl] dammarane -3$\beta$, 6a, 12 $\beta$, 20(R),25-pentol(ginsenoslde Rfa). The absolute stereo structure of a double bond at C-20(22) was determined as entgegen type by applying NOESY.OESY.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.497-503
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• 1983

This study was conducted to define the effects of light intensity on the amount of saponin and free sugar and the ratio of triol group saponin and diol group saponin (PT/PD) in the leaf of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. 4-Year-old ginseng plants were grown under the shadings of different light transmittance rate(LTR) of 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% for 5 months and the leafiets were sampled from 2nd low at late August to determine the amount of saponin and free sugar.-Rd was main ginseuoside in the diol group saponin but in triol group saponin, ginsenoside-Re showed highest value and next was ginsenoside-$Rg_1$ and $Rg_2$ respectively. Up to 20% of light transmittance rate (LTR), the ginseng leaves grown under high light intensity showed an increase in the amount of total saponin and the ratio of PT/PD but the amount of total saponin and the ratio of PT/PD but the amount of total saponin and the ratio of PT/PD was decreased at the ginseng leaves grown under the shading of 30% LTR. The ginseng leaves grown under the shading of 20% LTR showed a significant increase in the amount of glucose and fructose but a significant decrease of sucrose content. A significant positive correlation ($r=0.992$^{**}$) was recognized between the of amount of total saponin and glucose.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2016

Background: Ginseng, which is widely used in functional foods and as an herbal medicine, has been reported to reduce the proliferation of prostate cancer cells by mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. Methods: This study was designed to investigate the changes in ginsenoside content in ginseng after treatment with a microwave-irradiation thermal process and to verify the anticancer effects of the extracts. To confirm the anticancer effect of microwave-irradiated processed ginseng (MG), it was tested in three human prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, LNCaP, and PC-3 cells). Involvements of apoptosis and autophagy were assessed using Western blotting. Results: After microwave treatment, the content of ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd in the extracts decreased, whereas the content of ginsenosides 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5 increased. Antiproliferation results for the human cancer cell lines treated with ginseng extracts indicate that PC-3 cells treated with MG showed the highest activity with an half maximal inhibitory concentration of $48{\mu}g/mL$. We also showed that MG suppresses the growth of human prostate cancer cell xenografts in athymic nude mice as an in vivo model. This growth suppression by MG is associated with the inductions of cell death and autophagy. Conclusion: Therefore, heat processing by microwave irradiation is a useful method to enhance the anticancer effect of ginseng by increasing the content of ginsenosides Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2012

In this study red ginseng was extracted with ethanol and then fermented by yeasts including Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium longum. Fermented red ginseng extracts(FRGE) were found to be more effective antioxidants in vitro with regards to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activity than red ginseng extracts(RGE). In FRGE, the contents of ginsenosides $Rb_1$, $-Rb_2$ and -Rc were much lower than in RGE, however, the contents of ginsenosides 20(S)$-Rg_3$, 20(R)$-Rg_3$ and compound K were higher than RGE. FRGE was added to Yanggaeng(0, 5, 10, 15, 20%), and physicochemical and sensory evaluations of the Yanggaeng were conducted. The L and b values of Yanggaeng with added FRGE were decreased by increasing the ratio of FRGE, while the a value was increased. Sensory evaluations for, taste, color, flavor, texture and overall acceptability of Yanggaeng with addition of FRGE (10%) were applicable for improving the Yanggaeng product.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.418-425
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• 2022

Background: Sorafenib is effective in treating hepatoma, but most patients develop resistance to it. STAT3 signaling has been implicated in sorafenib resistance. Artesunate (ART) and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have anti-hepatoma effects and can inhibit STAT3 signaling in cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rg3 in combination with ART (Rg3-plus-ART) in overcoming sorafenib resistance, and to examine the involvement of STAT3 signaling in these effects. Methods: Sorafenib-resistant HepG2 cells (HepG2-SR) were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. A HepG2-SR hepatoma-bearing BALB/c-nu/nu mouse model was used to assess the in vivo anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. CCK-8 assays and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining were used to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Immunoblotting was employed to examine protein levels. ROS generation was examined by measuring DCF-DA fluorescence. Results: Rg3-plus-ART synergistically reduced viability of, and evoked apoptosis in HepG2-SR cells, and suppressed HepG2-SR tumor growth in mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that Rg3-plus-ART inhibited activation/phosphorylation of Src and STAT3 in HepG2-SR cultures and tumors. The combination also decreased the STAT3 nuclear level and induced ROS production in HepG2-SR cultures. Furthermore, overactivation of STAT3 or removal of ROS diminished the anti-proliferative effects of Rg3-plus-ART, and removal of ROS diminished Rg3-plus-ART's inhibitory effects on STAT3 activation in HepG2-SR cells. Conclusions: Rg3-plus-ART overcomes sorafenib resistance in experimental models, and inhibition of Src/STAT3 signaling and modulation of ROS/STAT3 signaling contribute to the underlying mechanisms. This study provides a pharmacological basis for developing Rg3-plus-ART into a novel modality for treating sorafenib-resistant hepatoma.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.591-599
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• 2009

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play important roles in nervous system functions and are involved in a variety of diseases. We previously demonstrated that ginsenosides, the active ingredients of Panax ginseng, inhibit subsets of nAChR channel currents, but not ${\alpha}7$, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Mutation of the highly conserved Leu247 to Thr247 in the transmembrane domain 2 (TM2) channel pore region of ${\alpha}7$ nAChR induces alterations in channel gating properties and converts ${\alpha}7$ nAChR antagonists into agonists. In the present study, we assessed how point mutations in the Leu247 residue leading to various amino acids affect 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ ($Rg_3$) activity against the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR. Mutation of L247 to L247A, L247D, L247E, L247I, L247S, and L247T, but not L247K, rendered mutant receptors sensitive to $Rg_3$. We further characterized $Rg_3$ regulation of L247T receptors. We found that $Rg_3$ inhibition of mutant ${\alpha}7$ nAChR channel currents was reversible and concentration-dependent. $Rg_3$ inhibition was strongly voltage-dependent and noncompetitive manner. These results indicate that the interaction between $Rg_3$ and mutant receptors might differ from its interaction with the wild-type receptor. To identify differences in $Rg_3$ interactions between wild-type and L247T receptors, we utilized docked modeling. This modeling revealed that $Rg_3$ forms hydrogen bonds with amino acids, such as Ser240 of subunit I and Thr244 of subunit II and V at the channel pore, whereas $Rg_3$ localizes at the interface of the two wild-type receptor subunits. These results indicate that mutation of Leu247 to Thr247 induces conformational changes in the wild-type receptor and provides a binding pocket for $Rg_3$ at the channel pore.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.706-713
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• 2023

Background and objective: The ability to inhibit aggregation has been demonstrated with synthetically derived ginsenoside compounds G-Rp (1, 3, and 4) and ginsenosides naturally found in Panax ginseng 20(S)-Rg3, Rg6, F4, and Ro. Among these compounds, Rk3 (G-Rk3) from Panax ginseng needs to be further explored in order to reveal the mechanisms of action during inhibition. Methodology: Our study focused to investigate the action of G-Rk3 on agonist-stimulated human platelet aggregation, inhibition of platelet signaling molecules such as fibrinogen binding with integrin α_IIbβ₃ using flow cytometry, intracellular calcium mobilization, dense granule secretion, and thromboxane B₂ secretion. In addition, we checked the regulation of phosphorylation on PI3K/MAPK pathway, and thrombin-induced clot retraction was also observed in platelets rich plasma. Key Results: G-Rk3 significantly increased amounts of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and led to significant phosphorylation of cAMP-dependent kinase substrates vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R). In the presence of G-Rk3, dense tubular system Ca²⁺ was inhibited, and platelet activity was lowered by inactivating the integrin αIIb/β₃ and reducing the binding of fibrinogen. Furthermore, the effect of G-Rk3 extended to the inhibition of MAPK and PI3K/Akt phosphorylation resulting in the reduced secretion of intracellular granules and reduced production of TXA₂. Lastly, G-Rk3 inhibited platelet aggregation and thrombus formation via fibrin clot. Conclusions and implications: These results suggest that when dealing with cardiovascular diseases brought upon by faulty aggregation among platelets or through the formation of a thrombus, the G-Rk3 compound can play a role as an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2012

This study evaluated the anti-cholinesterases (ChEs) and antioxidant activities of white ginseng (WG) and black ginseng (BG) roots of Panax ginseng (PG), P. quinquefolium (PQ), and P. notoginseng (PN). Ginsenosides $Rg_1$, Re, Rf, $Rb_1$, Rc, $Rb_2$, and Rd were found in white PG, whereas Rf was not found in white PQ and Rf, Rc, and $Rb_2$ were not detected in white PN. The major ginsenoside content in steamed BG including $RK_3$, $Rh_4$, and 20(S)/(R)-$Rg_3$ was equivalent to approximately 70% of the total ginsenoside content. The WG and BG inhibited acetylcholinesteras (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in a dose dependent manner. The efficacy of BG roots of PG, PQ, and PN on AChE and BChE inhibition was greater than that of the respective WG roots. The total phenolic contents and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity were increased by heat treatment. Among the three WG and BG, white PG and steamed black PQ have significantly higher contents of phenolic compounds. The best results for the DPPH scavenging activity were obtained with the WG and BG from PG. These results demonstrate that the steamed BG roots of the three studied ginseng species have both high ChEs inhibition capacity and antioxidant activity.