• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2017

Background: Chong-Myung-Tang (CMT) extract is widely used in Korea as a traditional herbal tonic for increasing memory capacity in high-school students and also for numerous body ailments since centuries. The use of CMT to improve the learning capacity has been attributed to various plant constituents, especially black ginseng, in it. Therefore, in this study, we have first investigated whether black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts affected spatial learning using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Their molecular mechanism of action underlying improvement of learning and memory was examined in vitro. Methods: We used two types of black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, designated as CM-1 and CM-2, and evaluated their efficacy in the MWM test for spatial learning behavior and their anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells. Results: Our results show that both black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts improved the learning behavior in scopolamine-induced impairment in the water maze test. Moreover, these extracts also inhibited nitric oxide production in BV2 cells, with significant suppression of expression of proinflammatory cytokines, especially inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. The protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ pathway factors was also diminished by black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, indicating that it not only improves the memory impairment, but also acts a potent anti-inflammatory agent for neuroinflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our research for the first time provides the scientific evidence that consumption of black ginseng-enriched CMT extract as a brain tonic improves memory impairment. Thus, our study results can be taken as a reference for future neurobehavioral studies.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2015

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to rise alarmingly because of industrialization of society. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of black ginseng extract (BGE) which was performed panax ginseng. First we examined the inhibitory effects of BGE on ${\alpha}$-glucosidase. But there was no practical effects in our observations. We, also, investigate the effects of BGE on glucose uptake of skeletal muscle using 2-NBDG in $C_2C_{12}$ myotube. BGE significantly improved the glucose uptake considered as a lowered blood glucose level. Effects of GBG05-FF on fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse. After injection of STZ, fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin rapidly increased. But STZ-induced diabetic mouse treated with GBG05-FF significantly reduced the level of fasting blood glucose and HbA1c. This results showed that supplementation of BGE improve the diabetic parameters and BGE have a potentiality as a functional food for Diabetes mellitus.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.655-662
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• 2016

Ginsenosides are major constituents of ginseng and are known to be responsible for its pharmacological properties. This study aimed to investigate the detoxification effect of a mixture containing black red ginseng powder, red ginseng extract, Puerariae radix extract, and Hovenia dulcis extract, on SD (Sprague Dawley) rats treated with 30% ethanol. Thirty minutes before treatment, the animals were orally administered different concentrations of the mixture or water. Results revealed that the concentration of ethanol in blood serum was significantly decreased in the black red ginseng mixture treated group in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with that of the control group. The blood level of acetaldehyde increased until 1 hr after alcohol administration, but the levels rapidly decreased later. Furthermore, ADH and ALDH activities in the hepatic tissue were also increased in the black red ginseng mixture administered group, than in the control group. These results indicate that the black red ginseng mixture has the ability of decomposing alcohol by increasing the ADH and ALDH activities responsible for alcohol metabolism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 2020

Background: Continuous exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stress. This stress response alters the expression of multiple genes and can contribute to the onset of various diseases. In particular, heat stress induces oxidative stress by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. The liver is an essential organ that plays a variety of roles, such as detoxification and protein synthesis. Therefore, it is important to protect the liver from oxidative stress caused by heat stress. Korean ginseng has a variety of beneficial biological properties, and our previous studies showed that it provides an effective defense against heat stress. Methods: We investigated the ability of Korean Red Ginseng and Korean black ginseng extracts (JP5 and BG1) to protect against heat stress using a rat model. We then confirmed the active ingredients and mechanism of action using a cell-based model. Results: Heat stress significantly increased gene and protein expression of oxidative stress-related factors such as catalase and SOD2, but treatment with JP5 (Korean Red Ginseng extract) and BG1 (Korean black ginseng extract) abolished this response in both liver tissue and HepG2 cells. In addition, JP5 and BG1 inhibited the expression of inflammatory proteins such as p-NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor alpha-α. In particular, JP5 and BG1 decreased the expression of components of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key inflammatory signaling factor. Thus, JP5 and BG1 inhibited both oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusions: JP5 and BG1 protect against oxidative stress and inflammation induced by heat stress and help maintain liver function by preventing liver damage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.364-372
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• 2015

This study investigated the effects of fermented black raspberry (BR) and red ginseng (RG) extract co-treatment on lipid metabolism and obesity in rats fed with a high fat/high cholesterol diet (HFHCD) for 12 weeks. Compared to the corresponding values in rats fed with a HFHCD, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased whereas high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels increased in rats treated with fermented BR and RG extracts. These extracts significantly increased the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, LDL receptor, and sterol regulatory-element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) mRNA, but decreased the mRNA expression of SREBP-1. Additionally the serum levels of leptin and fatty acid synthase were decreased. Moreover, supplementation with fermented BR and RG effectively increased fecal cholesterol excretion. These results suggest that fermented BR and RG extracts might be effective at preventing hypercholesterolemia and obesity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.361-365
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• 2011

The objective of this study is to provide basic information for developing a high-value ginseng product using ginseng saponin and prosapogenin. In order to achieve the proposed objective ginsenoside compositions of Black (BG) and Red (RG) ginseng extract with 95% ethyl alcohol were examined by means of HPLC. The crude saponin and ginsenoside composition of processed ginseng products were analyzed and compared, with BG topping the list with a crude saponin content of 7.53%, followed by RG (5.29%). Ginseng prosapogenin (ginsenosides $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rg_6$, $Rh_1$, $Rh_4$, $Rk_1$, $Rk_3$, $F_1$ and $F_4$) in BG was found to be contained almost 2.6 times as much as that in RG. Ginsenosides $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rk_1$, $Rh_4$ and $F_4$ in BG in particular were found to be almost 3 times as much as those in RG. $Rg_6$ and $Rk_3$ in BG were also found to be almost 4 times as much as those in RG.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2015

Background: Black ginseng (Ginseng Radix nigra, BG) refers to the ginseng steamed for nine times and fine roots (hairy roots) of that is called fine black ginseng (FBG). It is known that the content of saponin of FBG is higher than that of BG. Therefore, in this study, we examined antitumor effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells to target the FBG extract and its main component, ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5). Methods: Action mechanism was determined by MTT assay, cell cycle assay and western blot analysis. Results: The results from MTT assay showed that MCF-7 cell proliferation was inhibited by Rg5 treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h in a dose-dependent manner. Rg5 at different concentrations (0, 25, 50 and $100{\mu}M$), induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase through regulation of cell cycle-related proteins in MCF-7 cells. As shown in the results from western blot analysis, Rg5 increased expression of p53, $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ and $p15^{INK4B}$ and decreased expression of Cyclin D1, Cyclin E2 and CDK4. Expression of apoptosiserelated proteins including Bax, PARP and Cytochrome c was also regulated by Rg5. These results indicate that Rg5 stimulated cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase via regulation of cell cycle-associated proteins in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Rg5 promotes breast cancer cell apoptosis in a multi-path manner with higher potency compared to 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) in MCF-7 (HER2/ER+) and MDA-MB-453 (HER2+/ER) human breast cancer cell lines, and this suggests that Rg5 might be an effective natural new material in improving breast cancer.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2015

We investigated the anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus C isolated from kimchi and red ginseng and black raspberry mixture fermented by this strain. Experimental samples were prepared with 10% skim milk, 1% red ginseng extract and 1% immature black raspberry powder and without red ginseng extract and black raspberry fermented by this strain at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hour. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (a normal diet group (N), a high-fat diet group (HF), a high fat diet with L. acidophilus C (C), and a high fat diet with fermented mixture (CEx)) and were orally administered daily for 6 weeks at concentration of 2,000 mg/kg body weight. The results showed that weight gain, weight of periepididymal fat and perirenal fat, adipocyte size, lipid accumulation in liver, serum glucose concentration, serum GOT and GPT concentration and serum leptin were decreased and concentration of HDL-cholesterol and serum adiponectin were increased compared to HF group. These results suggest that fermented mixture (CEx) might be helpful in improvement of high-fat diet-induced obesity than only L. acidophilus C intake.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.69-75
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• 2009

Objectives : To access the safety and efficacy of Black Ginseng (BG), a traditional herbal medicine on hypertension, we examined various parameters involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Methods : We made deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA;25 mg/kg/3times/weeks for 3 weeks)-induced hypertension Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. And experiment group was treated with extract of black ginseng (BG;200 mg/kg/day). Results : In results, the weight of experiment group treated with BG was increased compared with normal and control group. And the heart and lung weights of experiment group were decreased compared with control group. The blood pressure and pulse rate of group treated with BG were significantly decreased compared with control group. In addition, BG greatly reduced the levels of aldosterone. These results suggested that BG has suppressive effects on hypertension, and BG has potential as a safe and effective therapeutics for hypertension. Conclusions : The present data show evidences on anti-hypertension activity of BG in an experimental animal system, which can provide further insights into the development of anti-hypertension therapeutic agents.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 2010

To develop a new functional kimchi with cognition-enhancing properties, black Panax ginseng extract (0.5-5%, w/w) was added to a baechu kimchi preparation and the mixture stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for 30 days. Compared with control kimchi, the L values of ginseng-treated material were significantly decreased, but the a and b values were increased. The hardness value of ginseng-treated kimchi was significantly higher than that of control material from the $20^{th}$ day of storage. The edibility period of baechu kimchi treated with ginseng was prolonged by approximately 15 days compared with control kimchi. This resulted from decreases in the numbers of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts during the final stages of fermentation in ginseng-treated material. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity by ginseng-treated kimchi was 2-fold higher than that of control material. A strong ginseng flavor and a bitter taste were evident in kimchi treated with 5% (w/w) ginseng, and sensory quality was thus decreased compared with control material. It was concluded that an appropriate concentration of black ginseng extract was 3% (w/w) in preparation of kimchi with a cognition-enhancing effect.