• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.191-195
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• 2002

In this study, we like to examine whether Panax ginseng water extract (PGWE) exerts antidiabetic activities in prevention and treatment modes in multiple low dose (MLD) streptozotocin (STZ) (20 mg/kg i.p injection for 5 days) induced diabetic SD rats. In the prevention mode,150 mg/kg of GRWE was administered intraperitoneally with STG for 3 weeks, and this group is called CO 150. In the treatment mode, we started to administer the same dose of PGWE on day 8 and for 3 weeks, and this group is called POST150. PGWE exerted significant hypoglycemic activities in both prevention (normal control, 97 ${\pm}$ 6 mg/dl; diabetic control, 331${\pm}$23; CO150, 211${\pm}$37) and treatment groups (normal control, 128${\pm}$4 mg/dl; diabetic control, 392${\pm}$33: POST150, 263${\pm}$44). Of great importance is the fact that plasma insulin levels in both groups were markedly increased as compared to the diabetic control (normal control,428.7${\pm}$62.1 pg/dl; diabetic control, 167.0${\pm}$91.7; CO150, 377.6${\pm}$68.7 in prevention mode, and in treatment mode normal control 417.9${\pm}$84.6 pg/dl; diabetic control, 166.1${\pm}$104.7; POST150, 315.2${\pm}$47.4). Blood glucose levels were closely associated with plasma insulin levels, and this result may suggest that PGWE showed the activity to enhance insulin secretion as well as preventing destruction of pancreatic islet cells. Food and water intakes were also determined at the last week of treatment i n both groups. Characteristic symptoms of diabetes were significantly improved in both groups. In the prevention mode, water intake (ml/rat/day) in normal control was increased from 30.6${\pm}$1.5 to 122.2${\pm}$3.4 in diabetic control rats. In the CO150-treated group, water intake was dramatically reduced to 68.3${\pm}$4.4 (p<0.001 vs. diabetic control). In the treatment mode, POST-treated group also reduced the water intake from 128.9${\pm}$2.2 to 113.3${\pm}$1.7. Taken together, our data suggest that PGWE showed comparable antidiabetic activities in prevention and treatment modes. Therefore, PGWE may have a potential as a prophylactic as well as therapeutic agent fur type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1386-1396
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum Platycodon grandiflorum root concentrate (PGRC, $65^{\circ}Brix$), fermented P. grandiflorum root extract by Lactobacillus plantarum (FPGRE, $2^{\circ}Brix$), and cactus Chounnyouncho extract (Cactus-E, $2^{\circ}Brix$) for preparation of PGRC stick product with FPGRE using response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental conditions were designed according to a central composite design with 20 experimental points, including three replicates for three independent variables such as amount of PGRC (8~12 g), FPGRE (0~20 g), and Cactus-E (0~20 g). The experimental data for the sensory evaluation and functional properties based on antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity were fitted with the quadratic model, and accuracy of equations was analyzed by ANOVA. For the responses, sensory and functional properties showed significant correlation with contents of three independent variables. The results indicate that addition of PGRC contributed to increased bitterness and acridity based on the sensory test and antimicrobial activity, addition of FPGRE contributed to increased antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity, and addition of Cactus-E contributed to increased fluidity based on the sensory test, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity. Based on the results of RSM, the optimum formulation of PGRC stick product was calculated as PGRC 8.456 g, FPGRE 20.00 g, and Cactus-Ex 20.00 g with minimal bitterness and acridity, as well as optimized fluidity, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.402-409
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• 2019

Korean red ginseng made from steaming and drying fresh ginseng has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine due to its effects on the immune, endocrine, and central nerve systems and its anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of a formulated Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) in response to lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria. RGE inhibited LTA-induced nitric oxide (NO) secretion and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in BV-2 microglial cells, without affecting cell viability. RGE also inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65 and degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$. In addition, RGE increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effect of RGE on iNOS expression was abrogated by small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of HO-1. Moreover, RGE induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. Furthermore, the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors suppressed RGE-mediated expression of HO-1, and RGE enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), p38, and c-JUN N-terminal kinases (JNKs). These results suggested that RGE suppressed the production of NO, a proinflammatory mediator, by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt- and MAPK-dependent signaling in LTA-stimulated microglia. The findings indicate that RGE could be used for the treatment of neuroinflammation induced by grampositive bacteria and that it may have therapeutic potential for various neuroinflammation-associated disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.1317-1324
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• 2014

The immune system protects the body against harmful substances and infectious agents. Normally, the body can maintain a state of immune homeostasis. However, failure of immune homeostasis results in severe diseases when the immune system is defective. We investigated the immunomodulatory effect of Curcuma longa L. extract in LP-BM5 MuLV (murine leukemia viruses)-induced murine AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Mice were divided into six groups: normal control, infected control (LP-BM5 MuLV infection), positive control (LP-BM5 MuLV infection+dietary supplement of red ginseng 200 mg/kg), CL50 (LP-BM5 MuLV infection+dietary supplement of Curcuma longa L. 20% alcohol extract 50 mg/kg), CL200 (LP-BM5 MuLV infection+dietary supplement of Curcuma longa L. 20% alcohol extract 200 mg/kg), and CL500 (LP-BM5 MuLV infection+dietary supplement of Curcuma longa L. 20% alcohol extract 500 mg/kg). We found that dietary supplementation with Curcuma longa L. 20% alcohol extract inhibited elevation of spleen, lymph node, and liver weights as well as reduction of T- and B-cell proliferation and natural killer cell activity induced by LP-BM5 MuLV infection. Moreover, Curcuma longa L. 20% alcohol extract inhibited Th1 (IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$)/Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokine imbalance and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. In conclusion, these data suggest that Curcuma longa L. has immunomodulatory effects in LP-BM5 MuLV-induced murine AIDS.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) has been widely explored for its medicinal applications. However, most of the studies had targeted the green tea leaf, while other parts remained unexplored. In this study, protective effect of green tea root extract on Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (NHEKs) against the damage induced by an external stimulant (PM2.5) was confirmed. Thirty-year-old green tea root samples were collected from Amorepacific's Dolsongi tea field and green tea root extract was prepared with 70% ethanol. Total crude saponin content in green tea root extract was 54%, which is much higher than that in ginseng extract. Our results suggest that green tea root extract can be used as a natural surfactant in cosmetics. For evaluating its protective effect against the damage induced by PM2.5, IL-36G was used as a biomarker. IL-36G mRNA expression level increased remarkable upon PM2.5 treatment in NHEKs. Moreover, IL-36G was recently reported to be expressed in psoriasis lesions. Results showed significant decrease of IL-36G expression by treatment of green tea root extract. In conclusion, thirty-year-old green tea root extract can be used as a natural surfactant with a high saponin content and may have protective effect against the damage induced by PM2.5.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 1986

The potential effects of ginseng saponin on the growth, aflatoxin production, and physicochemical characteristics of Aspergillus parasiticus R-716 were investigated and the results obtained were summarized as follows. The pH values of culture filtrate were increased with an increase of addition amount of saponins, the amount of mycelium was increased up to l19% by the addition of 0.01% protopanaxatriol saponin (triol). Amount of aflatoxin was increased in proportion as the bright yellow color of chloroform extract of culture filtrate was intensified. There was no difference in sporulation by the addition of 0.02% saponins, however, the sporulation was gradually decreased as the addition concentration of saponins increased. Aflatoxin production was reduced to the level of 8% by the addition of crude saponin, but production of aflatoxin B1 and B2 were inhibited by 56% and 8% with the addition of 0.5% pure saponin. The production of aflatoxin B. was increased by the addition of 0.5% trios saponin, and by the addition of 0.02% biol saponin, aflatoxin G, production reached to the maximum and thereafter it was decreased.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of LAB (Lactic acid bacteria: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus) on detoxication of damaged liver in carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) and ethanol (25%)-treated rats. Rats had been daily (twice a day) pre-treated with saline (0.5 ml/kg: untreated group), $CCl_4$ (0.5 ml/kg: other groups) for 6 days. At seventh day, after treating rat with $CCl_4$ and then, mixture of LAB ($10^{11}$/0.5 ml: LAB group), saline (0.5 ml/kg: untreated group, $CCl_4$ group), and biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) (50 mg/kg: DDB group) were treated orally with $CCl_4$ for 8 days. Ethanol is treated as the same manner instead of $CCl_4$. To investigate the hepatoprotective effect, rats treated with $CCl_4$ and ethanol were analyzed with serum GOT and GPT level. The GOT and GPT levels of LAB group was lower than the level of $CCl_4$ and DDB group. Especially, compared with data of $CCl_4$ group, GPT activity showed statistically significant result in the significance level of p < 0.05. The LAB group treated with ethanol also showed lower level of GOT and GPT than the other control groups treated with ethanol. The triglyceride level of serum decreased more in a group treated special materials (DDB and LAB group) than ethanol group. As well, the effect of LAB on the antifatigue has been investigated. The animals (10/group) were divided into 4 groups (untreated group, Carrier group, Red-ginseng group, LAB group). Each group was given carrier (0.9 mg/0.2 ml), red ginseng extract (200 mg/kg), and mixture of LAB ($10^{11}$/0.2 ml). Special materials were given for three weeks. After finishing treating through oral, horizontal wire test, rotarod test, and forced swimming test were performed. The time of resistance to fatigue of the group, fed with mixture of LAB, was longer than the time when mice treated with red-ginseng that the effect was already revealed. The result of this study revealed that LAB could decrease hepatocelluar injury compared with rats treated orally with $CCl_4$ and ethanol, and could also decrease fatigue.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.588-595
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• 2011

In this study, the effects of red ginseng extracts (RGE), which has been used as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, on pork sausage were evaluated. The treatments were as follows; addition of 0.01% sodium ascorbate (V), 0.5% RGE (T1), 1.0% RGE (T2) and 1.5% RGE (T3) to the basal formula (C). T3 had a significantly higher pH, cooking loss and yellowness ($CIEb^*$) and lower lightness (CIE $L^*$) and redness (CIE $a^*$) than the other samples. The hardness and surface hardness values of 1.5% RGE treated sample were significantly lower (p<0.01) than those of C. However, the cohesiveness values of the RGE samples were higher than the others (p<0.05). In the sensory evaluation, no significant differences in color, taste, texture, juiciness and acceptability were observed among the tested samples, while, the aroma scores of T2 and T3 were higher than those of the C and V samples (p<0.05). The TBARS values of RGE treated groups were higher (p<0.05) than the C sample after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of storage; however, this value did not increase with storage time (p>0.05). When the RGE concentration was high, the reduction in total plate counts and VBN value at week 3 and 4 of storage (p<0.01) decreased. In conclusion, red ginseng extracts seemed to have a positive impact on lipid oxidation, aroma and the microbial characteristics of pork sausage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.521-525
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• 2006

Korean ginseng was heat treated at various temperatures (110, 120, 130, 140 and $150^{\circ}C$) and times (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hr). The heat treated ginseng extract was analyzed for the total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, DPPH free-radical scavenging, 5-HMF and ginsenoside. The total phenolics and flavonoid content increased with increasing treatment temperature and time. The highest total phenolics content was 29.46 mg/g (d.b) in $150^{\circ}C$ for 1hr (control: 2.68 mg/g). The highest total flavonoid content was 4.75mg/g (d.b) in $150^{\circ}C$ for 2hr (control: 0.39 mg/g). The antioxidant activity increased until $140^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours. An extension of the treatment time did not have any effect, and the antioxidant activity decreased at temperatures higher than $150^{\circ}C$ for more than 2 hours. The content of ginsenoside $Rg_1$, Re, $Rb_2$ and Rb3 rapidly decreased with increasing treatment temperature and time. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and $Rh_2$ were newly produced, or their contents increased with increasing treatment temperature and time.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.521-528
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• 2017

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of many neurological diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and many efforts are under way to solve them. Red ginseng is known to enhance neuronal survival, inhibit apoptosis, and promote nerve regeneration of nerve cells. This study examined whether Rg3-enriched Korean red ginseng extract (KRG) inhibits the apoptosis of PC12 cells caused by alcohol-induced neurotoxicity and how KRG regulates several factors related to the caspase mediated pathway. In this way, the cell survival rate and apoptosis rate of PC12 cells were measured using an EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of the apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bid, Bax and caspase-3) were analyzed by western blotting, and the significance of the measured results was confirmed using the ANOVA method. As a result, KRG increased the expression of Bcl-2; inhibited the expression of Bid, Bax, and caspase-3; and inhibited the apoptosis of alcohol-induced PC12 cells. These results mean that the KRG-induced increase in Bcl-2 expression and down-regulation of Bid and Bax expression down-regulate caspase-3 expression, which in turn inhibits the mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. This study suggests that KRG is worth developing as a neuroprotective agent candidate.