• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.367-375
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• 2022

Background: Short-term hydroponic-cultured ginseng (sHCG), which is 1-year-old ginseng seedlings cultivated for 4 weeks in a hydroponic system, is a functional food item with several biological effects. However, the optimal extraction conditions for sHCG, and the bioactivity of its extracts, have not been evaluated. Methods: Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and ginsenoside contents were evaluated in sHCG, white ginseng (WG), and red ginseng (RG) using high-performance liquid chromatography. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction conditions (temperature and ethanol concentration) to maximize the yield of dry matter, CGA, and four ginsenosides (Re, Rg₁, Rb₁, and Rd) from sHCG. The optimal extraction conditions were applied to pilot-scale production of sHCG extracts. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ-induced thymic and activation-regulated chemokines (TARC/CCL17) were measured after treatment with sHCG, WG, and RG extracts, and the effects of their bioactive compounds (CGA and four ginsenosides) on human skin keratinocytes (HaCaTs) were evaluated. Results: CGA and four ginsenosides, which are bioactive compounds of sHCG, significantly inhibited TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced TARC/CCL17 expression. The optimal sHCG extraction conditions predicted by the RSM models were 80 ℃ and 60% ethanol (v/v). The sHCG extracts produced at the pilot scale under optimal conditions greatly alleviated TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced TARC/CCL17 production compared with WG and RG extracts. Conclusions: Pesticide-free sHCG extracts, which contain high levels of CGA and the ginsenosides Re, Rg₁, Rb₁, and Rd as bioactive compounds, may have therapeutic potential for atopic diseases.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2003.12a
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• pp.32-36
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• 2003

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.95-104
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• 2019

Background: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) causes vascular endothelial cell inflammatory response and apoptosis and plays an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a metabolite produced by the hydrolysis of ginsenoside Rb1, possesses strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, whether or not CK protects ox-LDL-damaged endothelial cells and the potential mechanisms have not been elucidated. Methods: In our study, cell viability was tested using a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl-)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Expression levels of interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. Mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) was detected using JC-1. The cell apoptotic percentage was measured by the Annexin V/ propidium iodide (PI) assay, lactate dehydrogenase, and caspase-3 expression. Apoptosis-related proteins, nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways protein expression were quantified by Western blotting. Results: Our results demonstrated that CK could ameliorate ox-LDL-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) inflammation and apoptosis, $NF-{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation, and the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, anisomycin, an activator of p38 and JNK, significantly abolished the anti-apoptotic effects of CK. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that CK prevents ox-LDL-induced HUVECs inflammation and apoptosis through inhibiting the $NF-{\kappa}B$, p38, and JNK MAPK signaling pathways. Thus, CK is a candidate drug for atherosclerosis treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.174-186
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• 1997

In this study, rat hepatocytes known to have active carbohydrate metabolism were obtained by using the liver perfusion technique to examine the hypoglycemic action of red ginseng saponin components [ginsenoside (mixture, $Rb_1$, and $Rg_1$)] and incubated in two different media-one containing insulin and glucagon (control group), and the other containing glucagon only, The specific activities of some regulatory enzymes such as glucokinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and glucose 6-phosphatase, in main pathways which were directly related to the glucose metabolism were compared between these two kinds of hepatocytes cultured in two different media. The effects of red ginseng saponin components [ginsenoside (mixture, $Rb_1$, and $Rg_1$)] under the concentration of $10^3$~$10^6$% on these enzymes In hepatocytes were also investigated, when they were added to these two media. The results were as follows. The specific activity of enzymes such as glucokinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase related to glucose-consuming pathways of insulin-deficient group was much less than control one, however, their decreased activity was recovered after the addition of ginseng components at all range of concentrations. The increased specific activity of these on - zymes was shown by the addition of ginseng components to the control group. On the other hand, the specific activity of glucose 6-phosphatase related to glucose-producing pathway of insulin-deficient group was much higher than control one, but their Increased activity was decreased after the addition of ginseng components at all range of concentrations. The same results were obtained after the addition of ginseng components to the control group. These results suggest that the red ginseng saponin components might better diabetic hyperglycemia by regulating the activity of enzymes related to glucose metabolism directly and/or Indirectly though more detailed studies were needed.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2014

This study was performed to enhance contents of low molecular ginsenoside using steaming and fermentation process in low quality fresh ginseng. For increase in contents of Rg2, Rg3, Rh2 and CK in low quality fresh ginseng, a steaming process was applied at $90^{\circ}C$ for 12 hr which was followed by fermentation process at Lactobacillus rhamnosus HK-9 incubated at $36^{\circ}C$ for 72 h. The contents of ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Rc, Re and Rd were decreased with the steaming associated with fermentation process but ginsenoside Rg2, Rg3, Rh2 and CK increased after process. It was found that under the steaming associated with fermentation process, low molecule ginsenosides such as Rg2, Rg3, Rh2 and CK were increased as 3.231 mg/g, 2.585 mg/g and 1.955 m/g and 2.478 mg/g, respectively. In addition, concentration of benzo[${\alpha}$]pyrene in extracts of the low quality fresh ginseng treated by the complex process was 0.11 ppm but it was 0.22 ppm when it was treated with the steaming process. This result could be caused by that the most efficiently breakdown of 1,2-glucoside and 1,4-glucoside linkage to backbone of ginsenosides by steaming associated with fermentation process. This results indicate that steaming process and fermenration process can increase in contents of Rg2, Rg3, Rh2 and CK in low quality fresh ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2010

The fresh ginseng roots were extracted with aqueous methanol, and the obtained extracts were partitioned using ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water, successively. The repeated silica gel and octadecyl silica gel column chromatogaraphy for n-butanol fraction afforded four diol ginseng saponins, ginsenosides $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, $R_c$, and Rd. The physicochemical, spectroscopic, and chromatographic characteristics of these ginsenosides were measured and compared with those reported in the literature. Some of the peak assignments in previously published $^1H$- and $^{13}C$-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were inaccurate. This study employed two-dimensional NMR experiments, including $^1H-^1H$ correlation spectroscopy, heteronuclear single quantum correlation, and heteronuclear multiple bond connectivity, to determine exact peak assignments.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.55-65
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• 2002

Ginseng has been used as a key constituent in traditional medicine prescriptions for centuries. Other than its well-known anti-stress and adaptogenic properties, ginseng has also been shown to be very effective in treating age-related deterioration in metabolic and memory functions. Although it is generally believed that the saponin (GS) fraction of the ginseng root accounts for the bioactivity of ginseng, a direct demonstration on which ginsenoside does what is still generally lacking. In the past decade, our laboratory has endeavored to identify the active GS components involved in energy metabolism, memory, and anti-neurotoxicity. To examine the ergogenic effects of GS in enhancing aerobic capacity, rats were subjected to either severe cold ($40^{\circ}C$ under helium-oxygen, two hours) or exercise workload $(70\%\;VO_{2}max,$ to exhaustion). Acute systemic injection (i.p.) of ginseng GS (5-20 mg/kg) significantly elevated both the total and maximum heat production in rats and improved their cold tolerance. However, pretreating the animal with the optimal dose (10 mg/kg) of GS devoid of $Rg_1\;and\;Rb_1$ failed to elicit any beneficial effects in improving cold tolerance. This indicates that either $Rb_1\;and/or\;Rg_1$ may be essential in exemplifying the thermogenic effect of GS. Further studies showed that only pretreating the animals with $Rb_1(2.5-5\;mg/kg),\;but\;not\;Rg_l,$ resulted in an increase in thermogenesis and cold tolerance. In contrast to the acute effect of GS on cold tolerance, enhancement of exercise performance in rats was only observed after chronic treatment (4 days). Further, we were able to demonstrate that both $Rb_1\;and\;Rg_1$ are effective in enhancing aerobic endurance by exercise. To illustrate the beneficial effects of GS in learning and memory, a passive avoidance paradigm (shock prod) was used. Our results indicated that the scopolamineinduced amnesia can be significantly reversed by chronically treating (4 days) the rats with either $Rb_1\;or\;Rg_1$ (1.25 - 2.5 mg/kg). To further examine its underlying mechanisms, the effects of various GS on ${\beta}-amyloid-modulated$ acetylcholine (ACh) release from the hippocampal slices were examined. It was found that inclusion of $Rb_1$ (0.1 ${\mu}M$), but not $Rg_1$, can attenuate ${\beta}-amyloid-suppressed$ ACh release from the hippocampal slices. Our results demonstrated that $Rb_1\;and\;Rg_1$ are the key components involved in various beneficial effects of GS but they may elicit their effects through different mechanisms.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2018

Background: The use of different methods for the processing of ginseng can result in alterations in its medicinal properties and efficacy. White ginseng (WG), frozen ginseng (FG), and red ginseng (RG) are produced using different methods. WG, FG, and RG possess different pharmacological properties. Methods: WG, FG, and RG extracts and pure ginsenosides were administered to rats to study the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution characteristics of the following ginsenosides-DRg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd. The concentrations of the ginsenosides in the plasma and tissues were determined using UPLC-MS/MS. Results: The rate and extent of absorption of Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd appeared to be affected by the different methods used in processing the ginseng samples. The areas under the plasma drug concentration-time curves (AUCs) of Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd were significantly higher than those of the pure ginsenosides. In addition, the AUCs of Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rd were different for WG, FG, and RG. The amounts of Rg1, Re, Rd, and Rb1 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the tissues than those of the pure ginsenosides. The amounts of Re, Rb1, and Rd from the RG extract were significantly higher than those from the WG and FG extracts in the heart, lungs, and kidneys of the rats. Conclusion: Our results show that the use of different methods to process ginseng might affect the pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of ginseng as well as the tissue concentrations of Rg1, Re, Rd, and Rb1.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2016

Background : A new extraction method-heated ultrasonic extraction was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed for the extraction of major ginsenosides from ginseng extract; this new high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was compared with the official extraction method of Korean industrial standards and standard for health functional food. Methods and Results : Ginsenoside compounds were analyzed for 35 minutes by the new HPLC analysis method using a Halo$^{(R)}$ RP-Amide column. The new HPLC analysis method was validated by the measurement of intra-day and inter-day precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) of each ginsenoside. The correlation coefficients (r2) for the calibration curves of the ginsenoside compounds were over 0.9997 in terms of linearity. The heated ultrasonic extraction method using ultrasonication for 30 minutes at $50^{\circ}C$ yielded higher amount of ginsenosides than the extraction method of the Korean industrial standards owing to the enhancement of extraction efficiency. Conclusions : Compared to the other extraction methods, the heated ultrasonic extraction method yielded a higher amount of ginsenoside Rb1 than Rg1 index compounds for the quality evaluation of ginseng roots.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1988.08a
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• pp.77-80
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• 1988

The effects of ginseng saponins and some phenolic acids on the in vitro biosynthesis of prostaglandins was examined in order to identify the role of some ginseng components on the regulaion of arachidonic acid metabolism. The productions of prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2).$ prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}(PGF_2{\alpha}).$ thromboxane $B_2(TxB_2)$ and 6-keto-prostaglandin $F_1{\alpha}(6-keto-PGF_1{\alpha})$ from $[^3H]-arachidonic$ acid were evaluated with rabbit kidney microsome. human platelet homogenate and bovine aortic microsome. The amounts of the total cyclooxy-genase products from arachidonic acid did't show significant changes in the presence of ginseng saponins. Panaxadiol. panaxatriol and all of the ginsenosides used in these experiments reduced the formation of $TxB_2.$ while increased the $6-keto-PGF_1{\alpha}$ production dose dependently. Ginseng saponins did't inhibit the ADP($10{\mu}M$) induced platelet aggregation. but sodium arachidonate (0.5 mM) induced platelet aggregation. but sodium arachidonate (0.5 mM) induced platelet aggregation was signiticantly inhibited. These findings suggest that ginseng saponins seem to playa role in the regulation of the arachidonate metabolism. probably by affecting the divergent biosynthetic pathway of prostaglandins from endoperoxide.