• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.329-336
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• 2023

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is a medicinal plant well-known for its antiviral activities against various viruses, but its antiviral effect on coronavirus has not yet been studied thoroughly. The antiviral activity of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) and ten ginsenosides against Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) was investigated in vitro. Methods: The antiviral response and mechanism of action of KRG extract and ginsenoside Rc, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2-20 (R) and -20 (S), Rg3-20 (R) and -20 (S), and Rh2-20 (R) and -20 (S), against the human coronavirus strain OC43 were investigated by using plaque assay, time of addition assay, real-time PCR, and FACS analysis. Results: Virus plaque formation was reduced in KRG extract-treated and HCoV-OC43-infected HCT-8 cells. KRG extract decreased the viral proteins (Nucleocapsid protein and Spike protein) and mRNA (N and M gene) expression, while increased the expression of interferon genes. Conclusion: KRG extract exhibits antiviral activity by enhancing the expression of interferons and can be used in treating infections caused by HCoV-OC43.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.392-397
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• 2015

Background: Red ginseng (RG) is processed from Panax ginseng via several methods including heat treatment, mild acid hydrolysis, and microbial conversion to transform the major ginsenosides into minor ginsenosides, which have greater pharmaceutical activities. During the fermentation process using microbial strains in a machine for making red ginseng, a change of composition occurs after heating. Therefore, we confirmed that fermentation had occurred using only microbial strains and evaluated the changes in the ginsenosides and their chemical composition. Methods: To confirm the fermentation by microbial strains, the fermented red ginseng was made with microbial strains (w-FRG) or without microbial strains (n-FRG), and the fermentation process was performed to tertiary fermentation. The changes in the ginsenoside composition of the self-manufactured FRG using the machine were evaluated using HPLC, and the 20 ginsenosides were analyzed. Additionally, we investigated changes of the reducing sugar and polyphenol contents during fermentation process. Results: In the fermentation process, ginsenosides Re, Rg1, and Rb1 decreased but ginsenosides Rh1, F2, Rg3, and Compound Y (C.Y) increased in primary FRG more than in the raw ginseng and RG. The content of phenolic compounds was high in FRG and the highest in the tertiary w-FRG. Moreover, the reducing sugar content was approximately three times higher in the tertiary w-FRG than in the other n-FRG. Conclusion: As the results indicate, we confirmed the changes in the ginsenoside content and the role of microbial strains in the fermentation process.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.41-45
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• 2018

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) has been used as traditional herbal drug in Asian countries. Ginsenosides are major components having pharmacological and biological efficacy like anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-tumor effects. To control the quality of the components in diverse ginseng products, we developed a new quantitative method using LC-MS/MS for 13 ginsenosides; Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, 20(S)-Rh1, 20(S)-Rh2, Rg1, 20(S)-Rg3, F1, F2, and compound K. This method was successfully validated for linearity, precision, and accuracy. This quantification method applied in four representative ginseng products; fresh ginseng powder, white ginseng powder, red ginseng extract powder, and red ginseng extract. Here the amounts of the 13 ginsenosides in the various type of ginseng samples could be analyzed simultaneously and expected to be suitable for quality control of ginseng products.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.313-318
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• 2011

This study was carried out to utilize the byproducts (flower, immature and mature berry, leaf and stem) of ginseng. Yield of byproducts were $32.7{\pm}9.8g$ in flower, $68.2{\pm}2.2g$ in immature berry, $48.5{\pm}4.3g$ in mature berry, $316.2{\pm}20.5g$ in leaf, and $296.6{\pm}15.4g$ in stem per $3.3m^2$ ($180{\times}90cm$, ginseng root $675.5{\pm}35.7g$/drybasis. The total saponin contents of ginseng byproducts and root are $52.36{\pm}1.24$, $68.71{\pm}1.98$, $168.89{\pm}0.57$, $68.26{\pm}1.32$, $7.85{\pm}0.61$ and $35.08{\pm}0.96$ mg/g, respectively. The main ginsenoside of all byproducts was Re and the highest content was $132.23{\pm}1.56$ mg/g in mature berry. But flower and berry was not detected Rf and Rh1, respectively. Total polyphenolic compound content on mature berry was the highest, $2.242{\pm}0.140%$, after, immature berry > leaf > flower > root > stem order. The DPPH radical scavenging activity on mature berry was the highest, $0.115{\pm}0.004$ mg/mL($IC_{50}$), and the others were the same order of polyphenolic compound and ginsenoside content on byproducts.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.329-338
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• 2017

This study was investigated the changes of quality stability and physicochemical characteristics of the Korean red ginsengs stored for a long times over 20 years. The Korean red ginsengs were stored for 4 to 22 years in canned packaging with polypropylene film and wooden box at room temperatures. The unusal phenomena such as discoloration and pin hole in packaging were not observed. General bacteria showed the vlaues of below 100 CFU/g, coliform groups and molds were not found in any samples stored for 22 year. Any samples also were not detected in mycotoxins. The contents of moisture, ash and crude saponin were the levels of 10.6~11.1%, 3.8~4.2% and 4.1~4.7% during the whole storage periods, respectively. The contents of maltol, which has been known as characteristic flavour and antioxidant of Korean red ginseng, showed remarkably increasing tendency from 0.10 mg/g for 4 years to 2.53 mg/g for 22 years during the storage. The contents of AFG (arginyl-fructosyl-glucose), arginine and free sugar were slightly decreased. Acidic polysaccharide and ginsenoside were not changed significantly during the storage periods. The contents of acidic polysaccharide and total ginsenosides were the 75.1~76.3 mg/g and 15.1~16.6 mg/g, respectively. The sums of ginsenoside-Rg1,-Rb1 and -Rg3s were the ranges of 9.3~9.9 mg/g and PD (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2,-Rc,-Rd,-Rg3s,-Rg3r)/PT (ginsenoside-Rg1,-Rg2,-Re,-Rf,-Rh1) saponin ratios were the levels of 1.4~1.5. These results suggest that Korean red ginsengs stored for long periods show relatively stable quaility stabilities and not significantly changed the contents of ginsenoside and polysaccharide during the storage up to 22 years.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2010

Thirty-four strains of Lactobacillus species were isolated from soil and eight of these isolates (M1-4 and P1-4) were capable of growing on red ginseng agar. The M1 and P2 strains were determined to be L. plantarum and other strains (M2, M3, M4, P1, P3 and P4) were determined to be L. brevis. Fermentation of red ginseng extract (RGE) with strains M1, M2, P2 and P4 resulted in a low level of total carbohydrate content (174.3, 170.0, 158.8 and 164.8 mg/mL, respectively). RGE fermented by M3 showed a higher level of uronic acid than the control. The polyphenol levels in RGE fermented by M1, P1 and P2 (964.9, 941.7 and $965.3\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) were higher than the control ($936.8\;{\mu}g/mL$). Total saponin contents in fermented RGE (except M1) were higher than the control. RGE fermented by M2 and M3 had the highest levels of total ginsenosides (31.7 and 32.7 mg/mL, respectively). The levels of the ginsenoside Rg3 increased from 2.6 mg/mL (control) to 3.0 mg/mL (M2) or 3.1 mg/mL (M3). RGE fermented by M2 and M3 also had the highest levels of Rg5+Rk1 (7.7 and 8.3 mg/mL, respectively). Metabolite contents of ginsenoside (sum of CK, Rh1, Rg5, Rk1, Rg3 and Rg2) of M2 (13.0 mg/mL) and M3 (13.9 mg/mL) were also at a high level among the fermented RGE. Protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol content of ginsenoside of M2 (10.9 and 5.4 mg/mL, respectively) and M3 (11.0 and 5.7 mg/mL, respectively) were at higher levels than other fermented RGE.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.117-129
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to find optimal conditions for producing red ginseng from cultivated wild ginseng using the Turbo Mill. Methods : Characteristics of powdered cultivated wild ginseng based on various temperature settings of the Turbo Mill were observed, and changes in the content was measured by HPLC for various ginsenosides. Results : 1. The diameter of cultivated wild ginseng powder ground by the Turbo Mill was around 10${\mu}m$. 2. As the temperature rose, pressure, Specific Mechanical Energy(SME), and density decreased, whileas Water Solubility Index(WSI) increased. 3. As the temperature rose, super fine powder showed tendency to turn into dark brown. 4. Measuring content changes by HPLC, there was no detection of ginsenoside Rg3 and ginsenosideRg1, Rb1, and Rh2 concentrations decreased with increase in temperature. Conclusions : Super fine powder of cultivated wild ginseng produced by the Turbo Mill promotes easy absorption of effective ingredients by breaking the cell walls. Using this mechanism to produce red ginseng from cultivated wild ginseng, it yielded less than satisfactory results under the current experiment setup. Further researches are needed to verify more suitable condition for the production of red ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2005

Ginseng Radix, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer has been used in Eastern Asia for 2000 years as a tonic and restorative, promoting health and longevity. Two varieties are commercially available: white ginseng(Ginseng Radix Alba) is produced by air-drying the root, while red ginseng(Ginseng Radix Rubra) is produced by steaming the root followed by drying. These two varieties of different processing have somewhat differences by heat processing between them. During the heat processing for preparing red ginseng, it has been found to exhibit inactivation of catabolic enzymes, thereby preventing deterioration of ginseng quality and the increased antioxidant-like substances which inhibit lipid peroxide formation, and also good gastro-intestinal absorption by gelatinization of starch. Moreover, studies of changes in ginsenosides composition due to different processing of ginseng roots have been undertaken. The results obtained showed that red ginseng differ from white ginseng due to the lack of acidic malonyl-ginsenosides. The heating procedure in red ginseng was proved to degrade the thermally unstable malonyl-ginsenoside into corresponding netural ginsenosides. Also the steaming process of red ginseng causes degradation or transformation of neutral ginsenosides. Ginsenosides $Rh_2,\;Rh_4,\;Rs_3,\;Rs_4\;and\;Rg_5$, found only in red ginseng, have been known to be hydrolyzed products derived from original saponin by heat processing, responsible for inhibitory effects on the growth of cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis. 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was also formed in red ginseng and was shown to exhibit vasorelaxation properties, antimetastatic activities, and anti-platelet aggregation activity. Recently, steamed red ginseng at high temperature was shown to provide enhance the yield of ginsenosides $Rg_3\;and\;Rg_5$ characteristic of red ginseng Additionally, one of non-saponin constituents, panaxytriol, was found to be structually transformed from polyacetylenic alcohol(panaxydol) showing cytotoxicity during the preparation of red ginseng and also maltol, antioxidant maillard product, from maltose and arginyl-fructosyl-glucose, amino acid derivative, from arginine and maltose. In regard to the in vitro and in vivo comparative biological activities, red ginseng was reported to show more potent activities on the antioxidant effect, anticarcinogenic effect and ameliorative effect on blood circulation than those of white ginseng. In oriental medicine, the ability of red ginseng to supplement the vacancy(허) was known to be relatively stronger than that of white ginseng, but very few are known on its comparative clinical studies. Further investigation on the preclinical and clinical experiments are needed to show the differences of indications and efficacies between red and white ginsengs on the basis of oriental medicines.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.74-83
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• 1993

In an attempt toward the synthesis of the difficulty accessible ginseng saponins the four dammarane glycosides identical to the natural $ginsenosides-Rh_2,$ - F2, compound K and chikusetsusaponin - LT8 have been prepared from betulafolienetriol(=dammar-24-ene-$3{\alpha},12{\beta}\;20(S)-triol).\;3-O-{\beta}-D-Glucopyranoside$ of 20(S) - protopanaxadiol $(=ginsenoside-Rh_2)$ have been obtained by the regio - and stereoselective glycosylation of the $12-O-acetyldammar-24-ene-3{\beta},\;12{\beta},$ 20(S)-triol. The 12-ketoderivative of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol has been used as aglycon in synthesis of chikusetsusaponin - LT8. Attempted regio - and stereoselective glycosylation of the less reactive tertiary C - 20 - hydroxyl group in order to synthesize the $20-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol(=compound K) using 3, 12 - di - O - acetyldammar - 24 - ene - $3{\beta},12{\beta},20(S)$-trial as aglycon was unsuccessful. Glycosylation of 3, 12 - diketone of betulafolienetriol followed by $NaBH_4$ reduction yielded the $20-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside\;of\;dammar-24-ene-3{\beta},12{\alpha},$ 20(S)-triol, the $12{\alpha}-epimer$ of 20(S) - protopanaxadiol. Moreover, a number of semisynthetic ocotillol - type glucosides, analogs of natural pseudoginsenosides, have been prepared.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.196-202
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• 2010

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of black ginseng jelly prepared with different 5 levels(0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%) of black ginseng extract. We assessed the ginsenosides level of white and black ginseng for comparison between white and black ginseng. And we conducted the pH, sugar content, Hunter's color values, the mechanical characteristics and sensory evaluation of black ginseng jelly samples. The levels of ginsenoside $Rg_3,\;Rh_1$, and $Rh_2$ of black ginseng were higher than those of white ginseng. The more black ginseng extract was increased, the sugar contents of black ginseng jelly were significantly increased(p<0.05). We noted that the luminance and Hunter's b values of jelly samples were decreased according to black ginseng extract was increased, but in Hunter's a values 0.5% black ginseng jelly was the highest of the all. With regard to the mechanical properties of the black ginseng jelly samples, the score of hardness, gumminess and chewiness were significantly increased. In color, taste and overall quality, the score of jelly with 1.0% black ginseng extract was significantly increased than those of the all.