• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 2015

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used as a traditional oriental medicine to treat illness and to promote health for several thousand years in Eastern Asia. It is widely accepted that ginseng saponins, ginsenosides, are the major active ingredients responsible for Korean Red Ginseng's therapeutic activity against many kinds of illness. Although the crude saponin fraction (CSF) displayed antiplatelet activity, the molecular mechanism of its action remains to be elucidated. Methods: The platelet aggregation was induced by collagen, the ligand of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}{\beta}_I$ and glycoprotein VI. The crude saponin's effects on granule secretion [e.g., calcium ion mobilization and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release] were determined. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and p38 MAPK, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt was analyzed by immunoblotting. In addition, the activation of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}b{\beta}_{III}$ was examined by fluorocytometry. Results: CSF strongly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and ATP release in a concentration-dependent manner. It also markedly suppressed $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in collagen-stimulated platelets. Immunoblotting assay revealed that CSF significantly suppressed ERK1/2, p38, JNK, PI3K, Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, our fraction strongly inhibited the fibrinogen binding to integrin ${\alpha}_{IIb}{\beta}_3$. Conclusion: Our present data suggest that CSF may have a strong antiplatelet property and it can be considered as a candidate with therapeutic potential for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders involving abnormal platelet function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.532-539
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• 2018

Background: Heat treatments are applied to ginseng products in order to improve physiological activities through the conversion of ginsenosides, which are key bioactive components. During heat treatment, organic acids can affect ginsenoside conversion. Therefore, the influence of organic acids during heat treatment should be considered. Methods: Raw ginseng, crude saponin, and ginsenoside $Rb_1$ standard with different organic acids were treated at $130^{\circ}C$, and the chemical components, including ginsenosides and organic acids, were analyzed. Results: The organic acid content in raw ginseng was 5.55%. Organic acids were not detected in crude saponin that was not subjected to heat treatment, whereas organic acids were found in crude saponin subjected to heat treatment. Major ginsenosides ($Rb_1$, Re, and $Rg_1$) in ginseng and crude saponin were converted to minor ginsenosides at $130^{\circ}C$; the ginsenoside $Rb_1$ standard was very stable in the absence of organic acids and was converted into minor ginsenosides in the presence of organic acids at high temperatures. Conclusion: The major factor affecting ginsenoside conversion was organic acids in ginseng. Therefore, the organic acid content as well as ginsenoside content and processing conditions should be considered important factors affecting the quality of ginseng products.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.241-244
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• 2005

This study was carried out to compare growth characteristics, and extract and crude saponin contents of 4-year-old ginseng cultured by direct seeding and transplanting cultivation at several farms of the main producing district, Geumsan and Eumsung. Though root weight per plant of direct seeding cultivation was lower than that of transplanting cultivation, but yield of the former was higher than that of the latter owing to high rate of survival plant and Leaf Area Index. Dry matter partitioning ratio of direct seeding cultivation was high in primary root and low in secondary root because direct seeding cultivation elongated the length of primary root, while it suppressed the growth of secondary root. Ratio of rusty root was decreased in condition of direct seeding cultivation, while the contents of extract and crude saponin were lower than that of transplanting cultivation.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.414-420
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• 2015

Antifungal activities of crude extractum of Nanshancha Seed Cake (NSC), to inactivate postharvest pathogens were investigated. Highest inhibitory rate was found against C. musae, C. gloeosporioides and C. papaya P.Henn, which was much stronger than that by tea saponin. Compared to tea saponin, effects of NSC extractum was relatively weak and similar on C. gloeosporioides Penzig and P. italicum. In an in vivo study, best controlling effects by NSC extractum was found with banana anthracnose disease development, which showed no inhibitory effects by tea saponin. NSC extractum controlled in vitro C. musae growth through directly inhibiting germination rate and germ tube elongation, and causing distortation, rupture and indentation of C. musae mycelium. In banana fruit subject to C. musae inoculation, higher PAL, POD, GLU and CHT activity was observed in banana fruit treated with crude NSC extractum than that of water control fruits. Current study proved the best controlling effects of crude NSC extractum in C. musae in vitro and in vivo development, which through direct inhibition of C. musae growth and increasing defense system of the banana fruit.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.382-390
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• 2020

This study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) against several foodborne pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial effect was determined by agar diffusion method using red ginseng extract, crude saponin and non-water-soluble fractions. Red ginseng extract showed antimicrobial effect against S. aureus, but not C. albicans or A. niger. The extract showed anti-bacterial activity at concentration above 30% against S. aureus, which cause both food poisoning and atophic dermatitis. Crude saponin showed antibacterial activity above 7.5% against the bacterium. However, the ginsenosides purified from crude saponin showed no antimicrobial activities at 100-200 ㎍/mL. To investigate the mode of growth inhibition, red ginseng extract and crude saponin were added to 0.85% NaCl solution containing S. aureus and then incubated at 35℃ for 12 h. The results showed that viable cells were rapidly reduced in above 10% concentration of red ginseng extract and above 2% of crude saponin, respectively. However, the crude saponin and red ginseng extract did not inhibit the bacterial cells completely at those same concentrations. On the other hand, whereas all non-water-soluble fractions showed inhibition zones above 10 mm against S. aureus, they showed no inhibition effects against E. coli, C. albicans or A. niger. The methanol fraction-1 (MF-1) showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus, and the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) was 0.625 mg/mL. These results suggest that red ginseng extract, crude saponin and non-water-soluble fractions show selective antibacterial activity against S. aureus, and non-water-soluble fractions might be used as natural antibacterial agents.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.142-146
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• 1977

For the purpose of utilizing the saponins of the ground part of Panax ginseng, the studies on saponins isolated from the leaves, stems, and flowers of ginseng were Performed. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The crude saponin contents of ginseng loaves, stems, and flowers 12.8%, 1.6% and 6.9% respectively. 2. Infra-red spectrum of ginseng leaf saponin was identical with that of ginseng root.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.334-345
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• 1997

This research was conducted to determine contents of saponins and alkloids for plants distributed in the sourthern region of Korea. The extracts from each plants were purified by solvent fractionation, column chromatography, TLC and analyzed GC and HPLC. As a result, contents crude gingseng saponins and saikosaponins were the highest in Oenothera odorata and Metaplexis japonica, respectively. and contents crude alkaloids was the highest in Metaplexis japonica among the all plants xamined. HPLC was conducted to detect of saponins. As a result, ginseng saponin-like substances was detected in the extracts of Euphobia splendens, Taraxacum mongolicum and Metaplexis japonica, gingsen-like substances and its of saikosaponin c-like substances was detected in the extracts of Camellia japonica and Aleurites fordii. GC was conducted to detect of alkaloid. As a result, nicotine-like substances was detected in only the extracts of Fatsia japonica.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.146-153
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• 2017

In this study, we isolated ginseng crude saponin (GCS) from Korean red ginseng (KRG) and determined the ginsenoside content in it to investigate the physiological and pathological effects of GCS on acute pulmonary inflammation induced by intratracheal instillation of cigarette smoke condensates (CSC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) solution in BALB/c mice. GCS was orally administered at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg for 3 weeks. The recovery rate of GCS from KRG was 6.5 % and total ginsenosides from GCS was 1.13 %, and the content of Rb1 was the highest among them. Total inflammatory cells in the lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased following intratracheal administration of CSC and LPS. However, GCS administration impaired this increase. Furthermore, it inhibited the increase in leukocytes in the blood, considerably decreased neutrophils in BALF, and declined infiltration of inflammatory cells and deposition of collagen in the tracheal and alveolar tissue. In this study, GCS was found to have a protective effect against acute pulmonary inflammation and it may be beneficial in preventing various respiratory diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3 s.67
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• pp.1-13
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of crude saponin (CS) in Korean red ginseng (KRG) on rats fed a high fat (HF) diet. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into a normal diet group and a high-fat (HF) diet group. The HF diet group became obese from being fed a HF diet over five weeks. The normal diet group were fed a normal diet. Each CS group of the normal diet group and HF diet group was administered CS (200 mg/kg, i.p.) for three weeks, the control group of both types was administered normal saline (1ml/kg, i.p.) instead of CS. Each group had 5 rats. Results: After administration of CS, the body weight, food consumption, adipose tissues, and expression of appetite peptides such as leptin and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) were investigated in the HF diet group as well as the normal diet group. Administration of CS reduced body weight, food intake, and fat content in the HF and normal diet groups. After CS administration, NPY expression and leptin were lower in the HF diet group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that CS may be useful in the treatment of obesity, especially of type qixu (氣虛).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2010

To enhance the functionalities of ginseng, an acid impregnation pre-treatment was applied during red ginseng processing. Acetic, ascorbic, citric, malic, lactic, and oxalic acid were used for the acid impregnation treatment, and total and crude saponin concentrations and ginsenoside patterns were evaluated. Total and crude saponin contents of red ginseng pre-treated by acetic, ascorbic, and citric acid were similar to those of red ginseng without pre-treatment, whereas lactic, malic, and oxalic acid pre-treatment caused a reduction of total and crude saponin in red ginseng. From the high performance liquid chromatography analysis of ginsenosides, increased $Rg_3$ density was shown in red ginseng pre-treated by acetic, ascorbic, and citric acid impregnation. In the case of lactic, malic, and oxalic acid pre-treatment, increased $Rg_1$ density was observed in red ginseng. Increased $Rg_1$ and $Rg_3$ contents due to acid impregnation during red ginseng processing may contribute to improving bioactive functionalities of red ginseng.