• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1984.09a
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• pp.153-158
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• 1984

From water extract of red ginseng, two new-type glucosides, $A:\;C_{12}H_{16}O_8\;and\;B:\;C_9H_{16}\;O_7,$ were isolated by fractionation with highly porous polymer ollowed by chromatography on silica gel in yields of 0.04 and $0.16\%,$ respectivley. The structures of A and B were elucidated by means of NMR and MS. Neither glucosides were detected in the extract of white ginseng and the mechanism of formation of A and B during the process of steaming will be discussed. The isolation and identification of saponins of corms (head of the root) of red ginseng are also reported.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2014

Ginseng saponins exert various important pharmacological effects with regard to the control of many diseases, including cancer. In this study, the anticancer effect of ginsenosides on human cancer cells was investigated and compared. Among the tested compounds, ginsenoside-Rh2 displays the highest inhibitory effect on cell viability in HepG2 cells. Ginsenoside-Rh2, a ginseng saponin isolated from the root of Panax ginseng, has been suggested to have potential as an anticancer agent, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In the present study, we have shown that cancer cells have differential sensitivity to ginsenoside-Rh2-induced apoptosis, raising questions regarding the specific mechanisms responsible for the discrepant sensitivity to ginsenoside-Rh2. In this study, we demonstrate that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a survival factor under ginsenoside-Rh2 treatment in cancer cells. Cancer cells with acute responsiveness of AMPK display a relative resistance to ginsenoside-Rh2, but cotreatment with AMPK inhibitor resulted in a marked increase of ginsenoside-Rh2-induced apoptosis. We also observed that p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) acts as another survival factor under ginsenoside-Rh2 treatment, but there was no signaling crosstalk between AMPK and p38 MAPK, suggesting that combination with inhibitor of AMPK or p38 MAPK can augment the anticancer potential of ginsenoside Rh2.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rc (G-Rc) is one of the major protopanaxadiol-type saponins isolated from Panax ginseng, a well-known medicinal herb with many beneficial properties including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of G-Rc on inflammatory responses in vitro and examined the mechanisms of these effects. Methods: The in vitro inflammation system used lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}/interferon-{\gamma}-treated$ synovial cells, and HEK293 cells transfected with various inducers of inflammation. Results: G-Rc significantly inhibited the expression of macrophage-derived cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. G-Rc also markedly suppressed the activation of TANK-binding kinase $1/I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\varepsilon}/interferon$ regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2 signaling in activated RAW264.7 macrophages, human synovial cells, and HEK293 cells. Conclusion: G-Rc exerts its anti-inflammatory actions by suppressing TANK-binding kinase $1/I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\varepsilon}/interferon$ regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2 signaling.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 1981

The qualities of ginseng leaf teas prepared by six different processing methods were evaluated to develop the leaf tea. The leaf tea prepared by fermentation at $30^{\circ}C$ showed the highest in the ratio of 30 min water extracts to the total extractable matters. This ratio was followed in decreasing order by the heat dried tea and the one fermented at $25^{\circ}C$. The yellow, orange and red color intensities of water extracts were the highest in the tea prepared by toasting method followed by teas fermented at $30^{\circ}C\:and\:25^{\circ}C$. The amount of saponins extracted with boiling water was the highest in the tea fermented at $30^{\circ}C$ among teas investigated. This tea was also most acceptable in sensory evaluation by the flavour profile method.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.625-634
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, a derivative of steroidal saponins abundant in ginseng, has a range of effects on cancer cells, including anti-cell proliferation and anti-inflammation activity. Here, we investigate two long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), STXBP5-AS1 and RFX3-AS1, which are hypomethylated and hypermethylated in the promoter region by Rg3 in MCF-7 cancer cells. Methods: The lncRNAs epigenetically regulated by Rg3 were mined using methylation array analysis. The effect of the lncRNAs on the apoptosis and proliferation of MCF-7 cells was monitored in the presence of Rg3 or Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract after deregulating the lncRNAs. The expression of the lncRNAs and their target genes was examined using qPCR and Western blot analysis. The association between the expression of the target genes and the survival rate of breast cancer patients was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier Plotter platform. Results: STXBP5-AS1 and RFX3-AS1 exhibited anti- and pro-proliferation effects, respectively, in the cancer cells, and the effects of Rg3 and KRG extract on apoptosis and cell proliferation were weakened after deregulating the lncRNAs. Of the genes located close to STXBP5-AS1 and RFX3-AS1 on the chromosome, STXBP5, GRM1, RFX3, and SLC1A1 were regulated by the lncRNAs on the RNA and protein level. Breast cancer patients that exhibited a higher expression of the target genes of the lncRNAs had a higher metastasis-free survival rate. Conclusion: The current study is the first to identify lncRNAs that are regulated by the presence of Rg3 and KRG extract and that subsequently contribute to inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2003

When ginsenoside $R_{*}$b1/ and $R_{b2}$ were anaerobically incubated with human fecal microflora, these ginsenosides were metabolized to compound K (IH-901). When ginsenoside $R_{g3}$ was anaerobically incubated with human fecal microflora, the ginsenoside $R_{g3}$ was metabolized it to ginsenoside $R_{h2}$. Among ginsenosides, IH-901 and 20(S)-ginsenoside $R_{h2}$ exhibited the most potent cyotoxicity against tumor cells: 50% cytotoxic concentrations of IH-901 in the media with and without fetal bovine serum (FBS) were 27.1-31.6 $\mu$M and 0.1-0.61 $\mu$M, and those of 20(S)-ginsenoside $R_{h2}$ were 37.5->50 and 0.7-7.1 $\mu$M, respectively. The cytotoxic potency of ginsenosides was IH-901>20(S)-ginsenoside R $h_{h2}$》20(S)-ginsenoside $R_{g3}$>ginsenoside $R_{b1}$(equation omitted) $R_{b2}$.EX>$R_{b2}$./.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.74-79
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• 2013

In continuation of our research to find biological components from Panax stipuleanatus, four oleanane-type triterpenes (12 to 15) were isolated successively. Fifteen oleanane-type saponins (1 to 15) were evaluated for nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activity using a luciferase reporter gene assay in HepG2 cells. Compounds 6 to 11 inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$, with $IC_{50}$ values between 3.1 to 18.9 ${\mu}M$. The effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 by compounds 8, 10, and 11 were also examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Three compounds (8, 10, and 11) inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by reducing the concentration of inflammatory factors in HepG2 cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.545-556
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• 2001

Crude saponin fractions were isolated using non-ionic resin chromatography from Ginseng Radix Alba (PG) and Gynostemmae Herba+ (GP). These saponin fractions were orally administered to strep- tozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 2 weeks and to high-fat diet-induced obese rats for 4 weeks. Treatment with either PG saponin or GP saponin at a dose of 1 mg/kg significantly decreased the plasma glucose level to that of glibenclamide treated or normal groups. The increased plasma triglyceride (TG) level in diabetic rats was decreased by 50% with PG or GP saponin treatment. Combined administration of PG and GP saponins with different ratios (total dose of 1 mg/kg) also had the similar effects on the blood glucose and TG levels with that of PG or GP alone. Treatments with GP (1 mg/kg) or GP (0.5 mg/kg) and PG (0.5 mg/kg) together significantly suppressed the rise in TG levels induced by high-fat diet whereas slightly suppressed the rise in the total cholesterol level. The body weight gain was also decreased both in the two saponin treated groups. These results demonstrate that either alone or mixture of PG and GP have similar degree of effects on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.539-544
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• 1997

Anti-metastatic activities of IH901, an intestinal bacterial metabolic derivative formed from Ginseng protopanaxadiol saponins, was determined in vitro and in vivo. Under in vitro conditions, IH901 inhibited the migration of bovine aortic endothelial cells 25 times stronger than suramin and suppressed the invasion of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells into reconstituted basement membrane components of Matrigel 1000 times stronger than RGDS peptide. IH901 also showed inhibitory effect on type-IV collagenase secretion from HT 1080 cells and platelet aggregation. When the anti-metastatic activity of IH901 was evaluated in comparison with that of 5-FU using a spontaneous lung metastatic model of Lewis lung carcinoma, the administration of IH901 (10 mg/kg p. o.) to tumor-bearing mice led to a significant decrease in lung metastasis (43% of untreated control), which was slightly more effective than that obtained with 5-FU (56% of control). Thus, IH901 seems to exhibit its anti-metastatic activity partly through the inhibition of tumor invasion which results from the blockade of type IV collagenase secretion and also through anti-platelet and anti-angiogenic activities.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.413-420
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• 2005

We previously demonstrated the ability of ginseng saponins (active ingredients of Panax ginseng) to enhance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current. The mechanism for this ginseng saponin-induced enhancement was proposed to be the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from $IP_{3}-sensitive$ intracellular stores through the activation of PTX-insensitive $G\alpha_{q/11}$ proteins and PLC pathway. Recent studies have shown that calmodulin (CaM) regulates $IP_{3}$ receptor-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ release in both $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ and -independent manner. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of CaM on ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current responses in Xenopus oocytes. Intraoocyte injection of CaM inhibited ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement, whereas co-injection of calmidazolium, a CaM antagonist, with CaM blocked CaM action. The inhibitory effect of CaM on ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement was dose- and time-dependent, with an $IC_{50} of 14.9\pm3.5 {\mu}M$. The inhibitory effect of CaM on saponin's activity was maximal after 6 h of intraoocyte injection of CaM, and after 48 h the activity of saponin recovered to control level. The half-recovery time was calculated to be $16.7\pm4.3 h$. Intraoocyte injection of CaM inhibited $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement and also attenuated $IP_{3}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement. $Ca^{2+}$/CaM kinase II inhibitor did not inhibit CaM-caused attenuation of ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement. These results suggest that CaM regulates ginseng saponin effect on $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement via $Ca^{2+}$-independent manner.