• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the hypoglycemic and kidney protective effect of black ginseng in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods and Results: Diabetes was induced by treating mice with streptozotocin (STZ) for four weeks. In vivo studies were performed in order to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the black ginseng prosapogenin (GBG05-FF) extract. The body weight and blood glucose level were measured. Moreover, after the mice were sacrificed, the kidneys were isolated and histological changes were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were also measured. The results showed that administration of black ginseng increased body weight. Compared to blood glucose levels in STZ mice, blood glucose levels were reduced by 48% in STZ mice supplemented with 300 mg/kg of black ginseng, and by 69% in STZ mice supplemented with 900 mg/kg. Furthermore, histopathological examination of STZ mouse kidneys revealed, changes in the kidneys, epithelial cell damages, inflammatory cell infiltration and glomerulus hypertrophy. However, a significant reduction of glomerular water droplets (indicative of glomerulus hypertrophy) was observed in the kidneys of STZ mice supplemented with black ginseng extract. Conclusions: These results suggest that black prosapogenin (GBG05-FF) ginseng extract has a significant hypoglycemic effect and can be used as an anti-diabetic substance and renal protective agents as part of dietary supplements or novel drugs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.349-354
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• 2009

This study was conducted to develop a new method for enhancing ginsenoside $Rg_3$, which is abundant in black ginseng. The cognition-enhancing effect of black ginseng extract was investigated via the assay of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Black ginseng I was prepared through the traditional method (by steaming and drying nine times repetitions). Black ginseng II, on the other hand, was prepared by steaming the ginseng three times at $120^{\circ}C$ for 30 min after soaking it in grape juice for 24 h. The ginsenosides of white, red, and black ginseng I, and II were investigated using the HPLC method, respectively. In black ginseng II, the ginsenoside $Rg_3$ contents, which cannot be found in white ginseng, amounted to 10.91 mg/g, approximately 18 times more than that in red ginseng. In the in-vivo study, black ginseng extract (200 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the AChE activity after 24 h by a single administration in the brain. Thus, the new manufacturing method for black ginseng was found to more effective in the conversion of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ compared to the traditional method. Black ginseng may also have the effect of preventing the cognitive impairment induced by cholinergic dysfunction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.308-314
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• 2013

Black ginseng is produced by a repeated steaming process. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of black ginseng ethanol extract (BG-EE) in high fat (HF) diet-fed mice. Two groups were fed either a normal control (NC) diet or a HF diet (45% kcal fat). The other three groups were given a HF diet supplemented with 1% BG-EE, 3% BG-EE, and 5% BG-EE for 12 wk. The anti-obesity effects of the BG-EE supplement on body weight, the development of fat mass, and lipid mechanisms were assessed in obese mice. HF-induced hyperlipidemia, fat accumulation in the liver, and white adipose tissues were reduced after BG-EE supplementation. Total fecal weight and the amount of fecal fat excretion also were increased after BG-EE supplementation. These results suggest that BG-EE may be useful to ameliorate HF-induced obesity through the strong inhibition of fat digestion.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.577-584
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a widely used traditional herbal supplement that possesses various health-enhancing efficacies. Various ginseng products are available in market, especially in the Korean peninsula, in the form of drinks, tablets, and capsules. The different ginseng types include the traditional red ginseng extract (RGE), white ginseng, and black red ginseng extract (BRGE). Their fermented and enzyme-treated products are also available. Different treatment regimens alter the bioavailability of certain compounds present in the respective ginseng extracts. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the antioxidant and immune-stimulating activities of RGE, BRGE, and fermented red ginseng extract (FRGE). Methods: We used an acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress model for investigating the reduction of oxidative stress by RGE, BRGE, and FRGE in Sprague Dawley rats. A cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression model was used to evaluate the immune-stimulating activities of these ginseng extracts in BALB/c mice. Results: Our results showed that most prominently, RGE (in almost all experiments) exhibited excellent antioxidant effects via increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver and decreasing serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels compared with the groups treated with FRGE and BRGE. Moreover, RGE significantly increased the number of white blood cells, especially T and B lymphocytes, and antibody-forming cells in the spleen and thymus, and it also activated a number of immune cell subtypes. Conclusion: Taken together, these results indicate that RGE is the best supplement for consumption in everyday life for overall health-enhancing properties.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 1982

This study was conducted to investigate the water vapor permeability of packaging film, Al- foil laminated paper, and sorption properties of dehydrated and powdered foods. The results are as fellows. 1. Absorption rate of each products was greately affeoted by physicochemical properties of foods rather than initial moisture contents of the products. 2. The absorption rate of each products were in the order of freeze dried coffee, spray dried coffee, freeze drie4 ginseng extract, spray dried ginseng extract, ginger tea, black tea, citrus juice Powder and ssang wha tea. 3. Most of the products such as freeze dried coffee, spray dried coffee, freeze dried ginseng extract, ginger tea and black tea have shorter than a month of shelf life. 4. The stability of the products were greatly affected by its desorption properties than the degree of desorption of moisture. 5. Water vapor permeability of packaging materials which are laminated Al-foil with polythylene and glassin paper were mainly affected of thickness of Al-foil and polyethylene.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2019

Background: Oxidative stress induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play important causative roles in various pathological conditions. Black ginseng (BG), a type of steam-processed ginseng, has drawn significant attention due to its biological activity, and is more potent than white ginseng (WG) or red ginseng (RG). Methods: We evaluated the protective effects of BG extract (BGE) against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, in comparison with WG extract (WGE) and RG extract (RGE) in a cell culture model. Ethanolic extracts of WG, RG, and BG were used to evaluate ginsenoside profiles, total polyphenols, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity. Using AML-12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$, the protective effects of WGE, RGE, and BGE on cellular redox status, DNA, protein, lipid damage, and apoptosis levels were investigated. Results: BGE exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant potential, as well as total flavonoid and polyphenol contents. ATP levels were significantly higher in BGE-treated cells than in control; ROS generation and glutathione disulfide levels were lower but glutathione (GSH) and NADPH levels were higher in BGE-treated cells than in other groups. Pretreatment with BGE inhibited apoptosis and therefore protected cells from oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, probably through ROS scavenging. Conclusion: Collectively, our results demonstrate that BGE protects AML-12 cells from oxidative stress-induced cellular damages more effectively than WGE or RGE, through ROS scavenging, maintenance of redox status, and activation of the antioxidant defense system.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2012

This study was performed to process Tofu as an hypolipidemic food using black ginseng. Before processing we performed the ameliorating effect of black ginseng on the serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in diabetic mice (db/db mice). As a result, the diabetic mice, whose diet was supplemented with black ginseng has a reduced level of serum lipid total cholesterol ($124.58{\pm}10.59mg/dL$) compared to non-supplemented diabetic mice, The supplemented mice exhibited a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum lipid triglycerides ($80.32{\pm}35.40mg/dL$), which provided the efficacy of black ginseng in reducing hyperlipemia, thus indirectly proving the prevention and treatment of obesity. Then we processed Tofu as a hypolipidemic food using 0~8% black ginseng extract. We evaluated the quality characteristic after producing black ginseng Tofu. For color value, as the addition level of color increases, the value of L (lightness) decreased and a (redness), b (yellowness) increased. With increase in black ginseng concentrate additional level increases, the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness values increased (p<0.05), but the springiness and cohesiveness showed no significant differences. In case of sensory evaluation, Tofu with the addition of 2% black ginseng concentrate (BGT2) showed the highest preference overall. To sum up, black ginseng demonstrated pharmacological effects in treating diabetic complications like hyperlipidemia and reducing body deposit fat.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.381-385
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• 2006

Previously we have reported that black ginseng was produced by nine-time repeated steaming 5-year fresh ginsengs at 95${\circ}$C for 3hr in pottery apparatus and drying at 60${\circ}$C for 12${\sim}$36 hr and had an outstanding anticancer activity. This study was designed to examine the ability of black ginseng to suppress body weight gain appetite, and to investigate the effect of black ginseng on lipid profile in male rats fed normal diets. The extract of black ginseng was administered daily for 3 weeks, and the changes of body weight and food intake were measured. After administering the extracts for 3 weeks, the fat weight and serum lipid levels were also measured. Black ginseng persistently suppressed weigh gain and food intake was also reduced, but not significantly; The weight of both epididymal and abdominal fats was decreased In black ginseng-treated rats. Serum triglyceride level in rats administered with black ginseng was also significantly lowered. Therefore, these results reveal that the repeated administration of black ginseng causes a suppression of body weigh gain by decreasing triglyceride level in blood and body fat deposit.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2011

We studied the acute oral toxicity of black ginseng (BG) produced by heat process in rats. Single acute BG extract doses of 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/kg dissolved in saline were administered by oral gavage and the animals were kept under observation for 14 days. The single administration of BG extract up to 15 g/kg did not produce mortality, behavioral change or abnormal clinical signs in the rats. These results indicated that the oral $LD_{50}$ of the BG extract in the rats is higher than 15 g/kg. Compared to the control group, no treatment-related biologically significant effects of BG extract were noted in the measurements of the body weight or food intake. At the end of the period, the biochemical parameters and hematological parameters were analyzed in the plasma and blood. A histopathological examination of the liver and kidney was also conducted. Only the blood nitrogen urea and potassium levels in the biochemical indices showed significant differences at 10 and 15 g/kg doses of BG extract compared to the control group. These changes were not considered to be due to the toxicity. None of the other clinical chemistry parameters were affected. Therefore, these results indicate that the BG by heat processing is virtually nontoxic.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.615-619
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• 2017

Background: Black ginseng has a more potent biological activity than non-steamed ginseng. We investigated the effects of long-term intake of dietary black ginseng extract (BG) on antioxidant activity in aged mice. We also compared the effects of BG on cognitive deficits with those of white ginseng extract (WG) and red ginseng extract (RG). Methods: Ten-month-old mice were fed an AIN-93G-based diet containing 10 g/kg (low dose, L) or 30 g/kg (high dose, H) WG powder, RG powder, or BG powder for 24 wk. We measured serum lipids, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, the protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter, which are presynaptic cholinergic markers in the cortex and hippocampus of the brain, were measured by western blotting. Results: Triglyceride levels were reduced in all the extract-treated mice, except those in the LBG group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the HBG group were higher than those in the control group. Total cholesterol levels were reduced in the LBG group. Additionally, glucose levels in the HBG group were significantly reduced by 41.2%. There were lower levels of malondialdehyde in the LBG group than in the control group. Furthermore, glutathione reductase activity increased in the HWG group and the HRG group. The protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter significantly increased in all the ginseng-treated groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that supplementation with the tested ginseng extracts may suppress the cognitive decline associated with aging, via regulation of the cholinergic and antioxidant defense systems.