• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.1 s.53
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• pp.50-54
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• 1999

In this paper, the saponin enzymatic hydrolysis of ginsenoside Rg3 was studied. The $ginsenoside-{\beta}-glucosidase$ from FFCDL-48 strain mainly hydrolyzed the ginsenoside Rg3 to Rh2, the enzyme from FFCDL-00 strain hydrolyzed Rg3 to the mixture of Rh2 and protopanaxadiol (aglycon). The $ginsenoside-{\beta}-glucosidase$ from FFCDL-48 strain was purified with a column of DEAE-Cellulose to one spot in the SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. During the purification, the enzyme specific acitvity was increased about 10 times. The purified $ginsenoside-{\beta}-glucosidase$ can hydrolyze the Rg3 to Rh2, but do not hydrolyze the $p-nitrophenyl-{\beta}-glucoside$ which is a substrate of original exocellulase such as ${\beta}-glucosidase$ of cellulose. The molecular weight of $ginsenoside-{\beta}-glucosidase$ was 34,000, the optimal temperature of enzyme reaction was $50^{\circ}C,$ and the optimal pH was 5.0.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.43-47
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• 1981

In an attempt to obtain a saponin antigen, ginsenoside Rg$_{1}$ of Korean ginseng was condensed with bovine serum albumin through a series of modification in the side chain structure of ginsenoside Rg$_{1}$ to prepare a reactive intermediate $Rg_{1}$ azide. The modification of ginsenoside $Rg_{1}$[1] yielded $Rg_{1}$ decacetate [II], mp 252, $Rg_{1}$ acetate-glycol [III], mp 263, $Rg_{1}$ acetate-trisnoraldehyde [IV], mp 231, $Rg_{1}$ acetate-carboxylic acid [V], mp 282, $Rg_{1}$ acetate-methyl ester [VI], mp 271, $Rg_{1}$ hydrazide [VII], mp 220, and finally a reactive intermediate $Rg_{1}$ azide [VIII].

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2013

In this study, we used flow a cytometric assay to evaluate plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity in post-thawed sperm that was supplemented with ginsenoside-$Rg_1$. Varying concentrations of ginsenoside-$Rg_1$ (0, 25, 50 and $100{\mu}M/ml$) were used in the extender during cryopreservation to protect the DNA of thawed sperm, thereby increasing the viability and motility rate as evaluated using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) method. The results derived from CASA were used to compare the fresh, control, and ginsenoside-$Rg_1$ groups. Sperm motility and the number of progressively motile sperm were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the $50{\mu}M/ml$ ginsenoside-Rg1 group ($61.0{\pm}4.65%$) than in the control ($46.6{\pm}7.02%$), $25{\mu}M/ml$ ($46.2{\pm}4.76%$), and $100{\mu}M/ml$ ginsenoside-$Rg_1$ ($52.0{\pm}1.90%$) groups. However, the velocity distribution of post-thawed sperm did not differ significantly. Membrane integrity and MMP staining as revealed using flow cytometry were significantly (p<0.05) higher ($91.6{\pm}0.82%$) in the $50{\mu}M/ml$ ginsenoside-$Rg_1$ group than in the other groups. Here, we report that ginsenoside-$Rg_1$ affects the motility and viability of boar spermatozoa. Moreover, ginsenoside-$Rg_1$ can be used as a protective additive for the suppression of intracellular mitochondrial oxidative stress caused by cryopreservation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng has been shown to possess a variety of biological activities. However, little is known about antiviral activity of ginsenosides of Korean red ginseng. Here, we investigated the protective effect by oral administration of various ginsenosides on the lethal infection of haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) in mice. In a lethal infection model in which almost all mice infected with HVJ died within 15 days, the mice were administered orally (per os) with 1 mg/mouse of dammarane-type (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rd, -Re, and -Rg2) or oleanolic acid-type (ginsenoside-Ro) ginsenosides 3, 2, and 1 d before virus infection. Ginsenoside-Rb2 showed the highest protective activity, although other dammarane-type and oleanolic acid-type ginsenosides also induced a significant protection against HVJ. However, neither the consecutive administration with a lower dosage (300 ${\mu}g$/mouse) nor the single administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 (1 mg/mouse) was active. In comparison of the protective activity between ginsenoside-Rb2 and its two hydrolytic products [20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3], 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, but not 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3, elicited a partial protection against HVJ. The protective effect of ginsenoside-Rb2 and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 on HVJ infection was confirmed by the reduction of virus titers in the lungs of HVJ-infected mice. These results suggest that ginsenoside-Rb2 is the most effective among ginsenosides from red ginseng to prevent the lethal infection of HVJ, so that this ginsenoside is a promising candidate as a mucosal immunoadjuvant to enhance antiviral activity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to develop a new preparation process of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) extract featuring high concentration of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, and $Rk_1$, Red ginseng special components. Chemical transformation from ginseng saponin glycosides to prosapogenin was analyzed by the HPLC. Extracts of American ginseng were processed under several treatment conditions of microwave and vinegar (about 14% acidity). The results showed that the quantity of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ increased by over 0.9% at the 20 minutes of the pH 2~4 vinegar and microwave American ginseng ethanol extract compared with other process times. The result of MAG-20 indicates that the American ginseng microwave and vinegar-processed American ginseng extracts (about 14% acidity) treated for 20 minutes produced the highest amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (0.969%), $Rg_5$ (1.071%), and $Rk_1$ (0.247%). Besides, MAG-15 indicates that the microwave - and vinegar-processed American ginseng extracts (about 14% acidity) treated for 15 minutes produced the highest amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (0.772%), $Rg_5$ (1.330%), and $Rk_1$ (0.386%). This indicates that American ginseng treated with microwave and vinegar had the quantity of the ginsenoside $Rg_3$ over 32 times the amount of the ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (which was not found in raw and American ginsengs) in the average commercial Red ginseng.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1557-1561
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• 2008

Red ginseng possibly has new ingredients converted during steaming and dry process from fresh ginseng. Kujeungkupo method which means 9 repetitive steamings and dryings process was used for the production of red ginseng from 6-year old ginseng roots. Saponin was extracted from each red ginseng produced at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th during the steaming and drying treatment, and we analyzed saponin content with TLC. Minor saponins, such as ginsenoside-Rg3, -Rh2, compound K, and F2, increased as the process time of steaming and drying, but major saponins (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, -Rf, -Rg1) were decreased. Major saponins were yet observed almost at the 1st process, then degraded as the increasing time of steaming and drying process. Especially, ginsenoside-Re and -Rg were observed as considerable amount after the 1st treatment, but there were no trace of them after the 9th treatment. Ginsenoside-Rg1, -Rb2, and -Rb1 were also reduced remarkedly by 96.6%, 96%, and 92.3%, respectively. Minor saponins were increased significantly, especially for ginsenoside-Rg3 and ginsenoside-F2. These results suggest that Kujeungkupo method is the very useful method for the production of minor ginsenoside-Rg3 and -Rh2.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.132-140
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• 1997

The effects of ginsenosides purified from red ginseng on platelet aggregation were investigated. Preincubation of washed platelets from rats with either ginsenoside Rg3, ginsenosides non-polar fraction (G-NPF), ginsenoside Rg1(Rg1) or ginsenosides polar fraction(G-PF) reduced the plytelet aggrelation induced by collagen in a dose-dependent manner, whereas ginsenoside Rg2 failed to inhibit the aggregation. Their IC50 values of Rg3, G-NPF, Rgl, and G-PF were 8.7$\pm$1.0, 150.3$\pm$0.1, 369.9$\pm$ 1.0, 606.211.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. Aggrelation induced by thrombin was also inhibited by Rg3 and G-NPF with IC50 being 5.2$\pm$ 1.1 and 66.5$\pm$0.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. The alterations of Intracellular Ca2+ concentration in platelets were monitored using fura-2 as a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Both Ca2+ release from internal stores and Ca2+ influx into cytosol were suppressed by Rg3. Rg3 also inhibited granular release of ATP and TXA2 formation induced by thrombin in a dose-dependent manner in the washed platelets. Rg3 also inhibited Aggregation and ATP release from human platelets induced by collagen to a similar extent as were observed in rat platelets. In conclusion, Rg3 is a Potent anti-aggregating component in ginsenosides and may exert its anti-aggrega1ing activity by decreasing TXAa formation and granular secretion in platelets, most likely by inhibiting Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. Thus ginseng may contribute to the prevention and treatment of thrombosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2014

The transformation of ginsenoside Rb1 into a specific minor ginsenoside using Aspergillus niger KCCM 11239, as well as the identification of the transformed products and the pathway via thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were evaluated to develop a new biologically active material. The conversion of ginsenoside Rb1 generated Rd, Rg3, Rh2, and compound K although the reaction rates were low due to the low concentration. In enzymatic conversion, all of the ginsenoside Rb1 was converted to ginsenoside Rd and ginsenoside Rg3 after 24 h of incubation. The crude enzyme (b-glucosidase) from A. niger KCCM 11239 hydrolyzed the ${\beta}$-($1{\rightarrow}6$)-glucosidic linkage at the C-20 of ginsenoside Rb1 to generate ginsenoside Rd and ginsenoside Rg3. Our experimental demonstration showing that A. niger KCCM 11239 produces the ginsenoside-hydrolyzing b-glucosidase reflects the feasibility of developing a specific bioconversion process to obtain active minor ginsenosides.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2003

Alternative medicines such as herbal products are increasingly being used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. In spite of some beneficial effects of ginseng on the nervous system, little scientific evidence shows at the cellular level. In the present study, I have examined the direct modulation of ginseng total saponins and individual ginsenosides on the activation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA-gated channels in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hippocampal neurons, respectively. In DRG neurons, application of ginseng total saponins suppressed high-voltage-activated $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents and ginsenoside Rg$_3$, among the 11 ginsenosides tested, produced the strongest inhibition on $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents. Occlusion experiments using selective $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers revealed that ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could modulate L-, N-, and P/Q-type currents. In addition, ginsenoside Rg$_3$ also proved to be an active component of ginseng actions on NMDA receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. Application of ginsenoside Rg$_3$ suppressed NMDA-induced [Ca$^{2+}$]$_{i}$ increase and -gated channels using fura-2-based digital imaging and patch-clamp techniques, respectively. These results suggest that the modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA receptors by ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could be part of the pharmacological basis of ginseng actions in the peripheral and central nervous systems.ous systems.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2013

Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), P- and E-selectin play a pivotal role for initiation of atherosclerosis. Ginsenoside, a class of steroid glycosides, is abundant in Panax ginseng root, which has been used for prevention of illness in Korea. In this study, we investigated the mechanism(s) by which ginsenoside Rg2 may inhibit VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expressions stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). LPS increased VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. Ginsenoside Rg2 prevented LPS-mediated increase of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. On the other hand, JSH, a nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) inhibitor, reduced both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression stimulated with LPS. SB202190, inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitor, reduced LPS-mediated VCAM-1 but not ICAM-1 expression. PD98059, inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) did not affect VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression stimulated with LPS. SP600125, inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), reduced LPS-mediated ICAM-1 but not VCAM-1 expression. LPS reduced IkappaB${\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) expression, in a time-dependent manner within 1 hr. Ginsenoside Rg2 prevented the decrease of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ expression stimulated with LPS. Moreover, ginsenoside Rg2 reduced LPS-mediated THP-1 monocyte adhesion to HUVEC, in a concentration-dependent manner. These data provide a novel mechanism where the ginsenoside Rg2 may provide direct vascular benefits with inhibition of leukocyte adhesion into vascular wall thereby providing protection against vascular inflammatory disease.