• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 2023

Background: Pseudotyped virus systems that incorporate viral proteins have been widely employed for the rapid determination of the effectiveness and neutralizing activity of drug and vaccine candidates in biosafety level 2 facilities. We report an efficient method for producing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pseudovirus with dual luciferase and fluorescent protein reporters. Moreover, using the established method, we also aimed to investigate whether Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), a valuable Korean herbal medicine, can attenuate infectivity of the pseudotyped virus. Methods: A pseudovirus of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2pv) was constructed and efficiently produced using lentivirus vector systems available in the public domain by the introduction of critical mutations in the cytoplasmic tail of the spike protein. KRG extract was dose-dependently treated to Calu-3 cells during SARS2-pv treatment to evaluate the protective activity against SARS-CoV-2. Results: The use of Calu-3 cells or the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in HEK293T cells enabled SARS-2pv infection of host cells. Coexpression of transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), which is the activator of spike protein, with ACE2 dramatically elevated luciferase activity, confirming the importance of the TMPRSS2-mediated pathway during SARS-CoV-2 entry. Our pseudovirus assay also revealed that KRG elicited resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung cells, suggesting its beneficial health effect. Conclusion: The method demonstrated the production of SARS-2pv for the analysis of vaccine or drug candidates. When KRG was assessed by the method, it protected host cells from coronavirus infection. Further studies will be followed for demonstrating this potential benefit.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.458-463
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• 2009

In this study, white ginseng water extract (WGWE) solutions were analyzed to set up the functional saponin content and quality optimization condition. The highest saponin content among the total white ginseng extracts was 8.32 mg/10 ml which was extracted at $75^{\circ}C$ for 18 hours. In addition, the saponin content decreased according to the increased extraction temperature and time. The highest content of $Rb_2$ and Re was 0.89 mg/10 ml, 0.82 mg/10 ml at $75^{\circ}C$ for 18 hours which decreased according to the increased extracted temperature and time. The highest content of $Rg_3$ was 1.67 mg/10 ml at $95^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours which decreased according to the increased time. The turbidity, sweetness and reducing sugar content were increased according to the increased extracted time at $75^{\circ}C$, $85^{\circ}C$, $95^{\circ}C$, but pH were decreased according to the increased extracted time. Therefore, the most appropriate white ginseng extracting method have to extracted the proper temperature for saponin content at first time in combination with raise the temperature for taste at second time.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 1996

A hairy root clone of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, HRB-15 was cultured iu various conditions with 3 L bubble type bioreactor to enhance both growth and ginsenoside production. The hairy roots were more rapidly grown under the dark condition than under the light condition. However, total amount of ginsenoside of hairy roots cultured under the light for 30 days increased 2 folds as compared with the dark condition and was 1.10% based on 6 ginsenosides. Especially, ginsenoside-Re was significantly increased and some ginsenosides except for ginsenoside-Re was slightly reduced. Also, the growth of hairy roots decreased about 30% as compared with the dark condition. In contrast, addition of sodium acetate led to decreased production of ginsenoside and growth of hairy roots under light condition. The influence of potassium dihydrogenphosphate concentration was examined in MS medium and a 1.25 mM concentration was found to be the most appropriate for growth and ginsenoside production under light condition. Two-step process of hairy roots culture with yeast elicitation or without ammonia in culture medium was developed to enhance growth and giusenoside synthesis. $50\;\mu\textrm{g}$ of yeast elicitor per g of fresh weight showed a synergistic effect on the ginsenoside synthesis of hairy roots on 20 days after culture. At that time, the content of total ginsenoside was 1.15%, while the growth of hairy roots decreased 21 % as compared with the dark condition. In addition, when elimination of ammonia on 20 days after culture, the content of total ginsenoside was 1.26% with significant increment of ginsenoside-Rd (0.27%) in addition to ginsenoside-Re and the growth of hairy roots decreased 10% as compared with the dark condition. In this system, we have demonstrated a unique two-step process of hairy root cultures to maximize biomass and secondary metabolites. It has found possibility to enhance ginsenosides production by growing hairy roots in this method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1535-1542
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• 2009

To find the new use of Korean ginseng and mushroom, crude polysaccharides were prepared from submerged cultures of Hericium erinaceum in the medium supplemented with Korean ginseng extracts. When we fractionated crude polysaccharides (HE-GE-CP-1, 3, and 5) from hot-water extracts of submerged cultures of H. erinaceum with ginseng extracts (1%, 3%, and 5% addition of total medium), the yields of HE-GE-CP-1, 3, and 5 were identified at 5.7, 5.1, and 4.8%, respectively. Among crude polysaccharide fractions, HE-GE-CP-5 was significantly higher (1.89-fold of the saline control) than those of HE-GE-CP-1 (1.64-fold) or HE-GE-CP-3 (1.76-fold) on mitogenic activity of splenocytes. HE-GE-CP-5 also had the more potent bone marrow cell proliferation (1.83-fold) rather than HE-CP or HE-GE-CP-1 or HE-GE-CP-3 (1.59- or 1.44- or 1.69-fold, respectively), and anti-metastatic activity as anti-cancer effect showed the highest prophylactic value (72.4% inhibition of tumor control) in 5% supplementation of ginseng extract. However, the lysosomal phosphatase of macrophage was significantly stimulated after HE-GE-CP-3 treatment (2.03-fold). In addition, the immunostimulating and anti-metastatic crude polysaccharide, HE-GE-CP-5, contained mainly neutral sugars (63.2%) with considerable amounts of uronic acid (19.3%) and a small amount of proteins (8.8%). HE-GE-CP-5 can stimulate immune system to inhibit tumor metastasis, and its anti-tumor metastasis may be associated with macrophages, splenocytes and Peyer's patch cells activation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2009

It is well known that the saponin of Korean red ginseng (KRG) has an anti-oxidant effect and could suppress the accumulation of lipid peroxidation. The aim of the present study was to observe the inhibitory effect of KRG on mice with noise-induced hearing loss, and to determine its optimal dose. BALB/c mice with a normal hearing level and normal Preyer's reflexes were used in the study. The mice in the permanent-threshold-shift (PTS) group were exposed to noise (120-dB SPL, white noise band) in a noise booth for 3 h a day, for three consecutive days. The mice in the experimental group were given heat-processed red-ginseng extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg), and those in the control group were given normal saline alone during their noise exposure. The mice in the temporary-threshold-shift (TTS) group were exposed to noise (120 dBSPL, white noise band) in a noise booth for 3 h. The mice in the experimental group were given heat-processed red-ginseng extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg), and those in the control group were given normal saline alone before their noise exposure. The hearing levels of the mice were measured through auditory brainstem response (ABR) immediately and I, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after their noise exposure. Cochleae were removed from the mice 14 days after their noise exposure. lmmunochemical and immunofluorescent staining were performed to observe the expression of 8-oxoG in cochlea. In the PTS group, the hearing function of the mice in all the groups was not recovered after their noise exposure. In the TTS group, however, the hearing function of the mice in all the groups was recovered within 14 days. Reduced hearing impairment and early recovery were observed in the mice that were given 200 mg/kg KRG, and early recovery was observed in the mice that were given 100 mg/kg KRG The immunopositive staining of 8-oxoG was detected in the stria vascularis in the control group but was diminished in the mice that were given 200 mg/kg KRG The ingestion of more than 100 mg/kg KRG demonstrated a protection and recovery effect on the noiseinduced-TTS group. Since KRG has been reported to be a safe compound even up to hundreds of mg/kg, a higher concentration of it may effectively protect and recover TTS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.1371-1377
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• 2012

Biological activities of Korean Panax ginseng 55% ethanol extract (KPGE) were investigated. The measured total polyphenol content of KPGE was 357.45 mg/100 g. KPGE showed the highest ${\alpha},{\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities of 80% and 86% at 1,000 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities significantly increased in a KPGE concentration-dependent manner. SOD-like activity of KPGE (1, 10, and 100 ${\mu}g/mL$) increased from 22% up to 33% at KPGE concentrations of 500 and 1,000 ${\mu}g/mL$. KPGE treatment significantly suppressed the generation of pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha: TNF-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6: IL-6, interleukin-$1{\beta}$: IL-$1{\beta}$), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. KPGE demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity that reduced NO and $PGE_2$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Even low concentrations of KPGE (1 and 10 ${\mu}g/mL$) reduced $PGE_2$ and NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages without LPS-stimulation, respectively. At concentrations of 100, 500, and 1,000 ${\mu}g/mL$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production were significantly suppressed. The results of our study suggest the potential of Korean Panax ginseng as an excellent antioxidant substance for inhibiting inflammatory mediators. Therefore, Korean Panax ginseng (KPGE) may be used as a therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.101-106
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• 2009

Objectives : We investigated the anti-aging effects on skin with 9 Repetitive steaming and fermenting herbal composition extract (FHE). Methods : Herbal composition is comprised of Panax Ginseng, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygonum multiflorum and Polygonatum Sibiricum. They steamed and fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus brevis by turns at 9 times. We measured various effects related to skin aging such as scavenging activity against free radical, cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and toxicity of 9 repetitive steaming and fermenting herbal composition extract were evaluated and compared with herbal composition extract (HE). Results : As the number of steaming and fermenting cycle increased free-radical scavenging activity were increased. But cell proliferating ratio was not increased when the number of steaming and fermenting cycle. The FHE could significantly increase the collagen synthetic ratio compared with HE treated group. And, FHE was showed no toxicity at all tested concentrations. Conclusions : The results of our study propose that FHE has good anti-aging effects on skin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.547-552
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• 2002

To investigate an efficacy of mixed extract with Ginseng radix, Puerariae lobata, Puerariae radix, Rubi pructus, Gomi pructus, Hoelen, Dried orange peel and Parvum comus cervi etc., on the hangover elimination, 12 hr-fasted male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-200 g were given mixed extract (5 mL/kg, p.o.) and administered ethanol at a dose of 3 g/kg bw (25% in distilled water) orally 30 min postdosing. Blood was collected from caudal artery at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12hr and then the animals were sacrificed at 24hr after the ethanol treatment. In these experiments, liver function indices, such as alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, showed unaltered results in all treated groups compared with the normal group. The pharmacokinetics of ethanol after oral administration of mixed extract were also evaluated. From 0 min to 12hr, the administration of mixed extract showed 14% reduction of the area under the serum concentrations-versus-time curves (AUC) compared with the control group. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase measured at 24hr postdosing were also not altered by the administration of mixed extract compared with the control group. These studies demonstrate that oral administration of mixed extract, prepared by traditional prescription, decreases the ethanol concentration in serum and reduces AUC, suggesting that the mixed extract is effective for elimination of ethanol-induced hangover.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.81-83
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• 1995

This study was conducted to know the effect of soil moisture content on growth of aerial parts and root of Valeriana fauriei var. dayscarpa HARA in pot condition. The soil moisture contents were 30, 45, 55, 70, 80 and 90% of maximum water requirement. The result obtained are as follows; 1. Width and length of leaves in valerian were slightly increased with increase the soil moisture content, however, length of petiole and root were increased with soil moisture content up to 80%. 2. It showed the positive correlations between moisture content and root weight and extract content in root. 3. Optimum soil moisture content was 80 to 90% of maximum water requirement.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2011

Caffeic acid is a kind of phytochemicals occurred in coffee, which is worked as a carcinogenesis restrainer and antioxidants on the human body. In this study, as one type of caffeic acid derivatives, methoxypolyethylene glycol caffeate(MPC) was synthesized by the esterification between caffeic acid and methoxypolyethylene glycol with N,N'-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, 4-dimethylamino pyridine. The synthesized product was confirmed by using FT-IR and $^1H$-NMR, thin-layer chromatography. And these compound was investigated as antioxidant, Tyrosinase hindrance and skin moisturizers. In the free radical scavenging study, antioxidant effect of MPC was averagely high than the red ginseng extract that be used as a natural antioxidants. The result of Tyrosinase anti-activity test was better than embryo bud of rice extract at low concentration. At the iNOS anti-activity tested by using Raw 264.7 cell, and confirmed anti-inflammatory function. For the MPC handled with sodium lauryl sulfate, was tested for the skin moisture content and skin moisture loss.