• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Objectives The aim of this experiment is to provide an differentiation of ginseng, red ginseng, cultivated wild ginseng(CWG), and red wild ginseng(RWG) through component analysis using HPLC(High Performance Liquid Chromatography, hereafter HPLC). Methods Comparative analyses of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, ginsenoside $Rh_2$, and ginsenosides $Rb_1$ and $Rg_1$ of various ginsengs were conducted using HPLC. Results 1. CWG was relatively heat-resistant and showed slow change in color during the process of steaming and drying, compared to cultivated ginseng. 2. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was not detected in cultivated ginseng and CWG, whereas it was high in red ginseng and RWG. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was more generated in red ginseng than in RWG. 3. Ginsenoside $Rh_2$ appreared during steaming and drying of cultivated ginseng, whereas it was more increased during steaming and drying of CWG. 4. Ginsenoside $Rg_1$ content was more increased during steaming and drying of cultivated ginseng, whereas it was more decreased during steaming and drying of CWG. 5. Ginsenoside $Rb_1$ content was increased about 500% during steaming and drying of cultivated ginseng, whereas it was increased about 30% during steaming and drying of CWG, indicating that ginsenoside $Rb_1$ was more generated in red ginseng than in RWG. 6. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ content was higher, whereas ginsenoside $Rg_1$ content was lower in 11th RWG than in 9th RWG, indicating that ginsenoside $Rg_3$ content was increased and $Rg_1$ content was decreased as steaming and drying continued to proceed. Ginsenoside $Rh_2$ and $Rb_1$ contents began to be increased, followed by decreased after 9th steaming and drying process. Conclusions Above experiment data can be an important indicator for the dentification of ginseng, red ginseng, CWG, and RWG. And the following studies will be need for making good product using CWG.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 2015

This mass balance study about ginsenoside Rg1 and Re in Red ginseng processed from Fresh ginseng is useful to understand that herbal material sources of ginseng and raw material consumption in Red ginseng preparations. In our results, total molar amounts of ginsenoside Rg1, Re and their converts in Fresh ginseng, Red ginseng, and Red ginseng extract are substantially the same. The molar amounts of ginsenoside Rg1, Re (4.324, 2.880 μmol/g) as starting materials in Fresh ginseng are kept constant as total molar amounts (sum of starting and converts) in Red ginseng (4.264, 2.596 μmol/g) and Red ginseng extract (3.389, 3.129 μmol/g). This result means that protopanaxtriol type ginsenosides and their characteristic converts are not destroyed or inflowing in Red ginseng process. Therefore, it is important for quality assurance of Red ginseng preparations that the ratio between ginsenosides Rg1, Re and these converts is kept constant.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1021-1027
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• 2004

Panax ginseng has been used as a typical tonic medicine in Asian countries, such as Korea, China, and Japan. It has been reported that ginsenoside Rg1 in Panax ginseng increases the proportion of T helper cells in the whole T cells and promotes IL-2 gene expression in murine splenocytes. These studies imply that ginsenoside Rg1 increases the immune activity of CD4+ T cell, however the exact mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on helper T cell remains to be verified. The present study tried to elucidate the direct effect of Rg1 on helper T cell s activities and its Th1/Th2 lineage development. The results demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg1 had not mitogenic effects on the unstimulated CD4+ T cell, but augmented CD4+ T cell proliferation upon activating with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies in a dose dependent manner. Rg1 also enhanced the expression of cell surface protein CD69 on CD4+ T cell. In Th0 condition, ginsenoside Rg1 increases the expression of IL-2 mRNA, and enhances the expression of IL-4 mRNA on CD4+ T cells, suggesting Rg1 prefer to induce Th2 lineage development. In addition, ginsenoside Rg1 increases IL-4 secreting CD4+ T cell under Th2 skewed condition, while decreases IFN-γ secreting cell in Th1 polarizing condition. Thus, Rg1 enhances Th2 lineage development from naive CD4+ T cell both by increasing Th2 specific cytokine secretion and by repressing Th1 specific cytokine production. Therefore, these results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 might be desirable agent for enhancing CD4+ T cell's activity, as well as the correction of Th1 dominant pathological disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2018

Background: Ginsenosides have been reported to have many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects, and the resolution of inflammation is now considered to be an active process driven by M2-type macrophages. In order to determine whether ginsenosides modulate macrophage phenotypes to reduce inflammation, 11 ginsenosides were studied with respect to macrophage polarization and the resolution of inflammation. Methods: Mouse peritoneal macrophages were polarized into M1 or M2 phenotypes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and measurement of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ levels were performed in vitro and in a zymosan-induced peritonitis C57BL/6 mouse model. Results: Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was identified as a proresolving ginseng compound based on the induction of M2 macrophage polarization. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ not only induced the expression of arginase-1 (a representative M2 marker gene), but also suppressed M1 marker genes, such as inducible NO synthase, and NO levels. The proresolving activity of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was also observed in vivo in a zymosan-induced peritonitis model. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ accelerated the resolution process when administered at peak inflammatory response into the peritoneal cavity. Conclusion: These results suggest that ginsenoside $Rg_3$ induces the M2 polarization of macrophages and accelerates the resolution of inflammation. This finding opens a new avenue in ginseng pharmacology.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.490-495
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rk1, a saponin component isolated from heat-processed Panax ginseng Meyer, has been implicated in the regulation of antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Although our previous studies have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 significantly attenuated the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in hippocampal neurons, the effects of ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1, which are derived from heat-mediated dehydration of ginsenoside Rg3, on neuronal NMDARs have not yet been elucidated. Methods: We examined the regulation of NMDARs by ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons using fura-2-based calcium imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Results: The results from our investigation showed that ginsenosides Rg3 and Rg5 inhibited NMDARs with similar potencies. However, ginsenoside Rk1 inhibited NMDARs most effectively among the five compounds (Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rg5/Rk1 mixture, and protopanaxadiol) tested in cultured hippocampal neurons. Its inhibition is independent of the NMDA- and glycine-binding sites, and its action seems to involve in an interaction with the polyamine-binding site of the NMDAR channel complex. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that ginsenoside Rk1 might be a novel component contributable to the development of ginseng-based therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 1995

We studied the effects of ginsenoside-$Rg_1$ (G-$Rg_1$) extracted from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer on $p56^{kk}$ kinase and cell proliferation in Jurkat T cells. $p56^{kk}$ was maximally activated within 5 min after the treatment of 16.7 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of G-$Rg_1$ increasing the activity by 1.2-2 times relative to untreated control, thereafter its activity was gradually decreased to the level of untreated control. The action of EGTA on the kinase was altered by the addition of G-$Rg_1$, accompanying the band shift of $p56^{kk}$ to $p60^{kk}$. In addition, G-$Rg_1$promoted cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that G-$Rg_1$ may be involved in T cell receptor-CD3 (TCR) signaling via the activation of $p56^{kk}$ and the chance of cellular calcium concentration.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.183-188
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• 2009

To produce ginsenoside-Rg$_3$ enriched edible yeast, ginseng steaming effluent (GSE) was used for yeast cultivation in this study. Four kinds of edible yeasts were cultured in sterilized GSE (2% w/v, pH 6.5), without any nutrient, for 48 h at 30$^{\circ}C$, and their growth and ginsenoside compositions were determined. Among the yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed the highest growth in the GSE medium. 267.1 mg of Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass was produced from 1 g of GSE solid and ginsenoside-Rg$_3$ contents was determined with 0.033 mg. Saccharomyces cerevisiae also showed the best overall acceptability, with a herbal and fermentative flavor and a slightly bitter taste. From these data, we conclude that Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the excellent strain for production of ginsenoside-Rg$_3$ enriched edible yeast using GSE.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.635-644
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• 2019

Background: To increase the pharmacological effects of red ginseng (RG, the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer), RG products modified by heat process or fermentation have been developed. However, the antiallergic effects of RG and modified/fermented RG have not been simultaneously examined. Therefore, we examined the allergic rhinitis (AR)-inhibitory effects of water-extracted RG (wRG), 50% ethanol-extracted RG (eRG), and bifidobacteria-fermented eRG (fRG) in vivo. Methods: RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate/A23187. Mice with AR were prepared by treatment with ovalbumin. Allergic markers IgE, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-5 were assayed in the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, and colon using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cell populations were assayed using a flow cytometer. Results: RG products potently inhibited IL-4 expression in phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate/A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Of tested RG products, fRG most potently inhibited IL-4 expression. RG products also alleviated ovalbumin-induced AR in mice. Of these, fRG most potently reduced nasal allergy symptoms and blood IgE levels. fRG treatment also reduced IL-4 and IL-5 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, and reduced mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cell populations. Furthermore, treatment with fRG reduced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in the colon and restored ovalbumin-suppressed Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria populations and ovalbumin-induced Firmicutes population in gut microbiota. Treatment with ginsenoside Rd significantly alleviated ovalbumin-induced AR in mice. Conclusion: fRG and ginsenoside Rd may alleviate AR by suppressing IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 expression and restoring the composition of gut microbiota.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.277-285
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• 2008

Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer (Araliaceae, P. ginseng) has been used for the enhancement of vascular and immune functions in Korea and Japan for a long time. Ginsenoside $Rb_1$ and $Rg_3$ isolated from P. ginseng head-part butanolic extract (PGHB) were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity. Ginsenosides and PGHB did not affect the cell viability within $0\;-\;100\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration to RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. Ginsenosides and PGHB inhibited partly lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite production in a dose-dependent manner. The ginsenosides and PGHB showed partially chemical nitric oxide (NO) quenching (maximum 40%) in the cell-free system. Also, ginsenoside $Rb_1$ and $Rg_3$ inhibited markedly approximately 74 and 54% of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA transcription from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, the inhibitory effect of ginsenosides and PGHB on NO production did not occur as a result of cell viability, but was caused by both the chemical NO quenching and the regulation of iNOS. Additionally, the ginsenoside $Rb_1$ and PGHB inhibited prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, showed approximately 70-98% inhibition at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. And the treatment with ginsenosides and PGHB attenuated partially LPS-upregulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene transcription. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ suppressed LPS-stimulated interleukin-6 (IL-6) level to the basal in RAW 264.7 cells. From these results, ginsenoside $Rb_1,\;Rg_3$, and PGHB may be useful for the relief and retardation of immunological inflammatory responses and its action may occur through the reduction of inflammatory mediators, including NO, $PGE_2$, and IL-6 production.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the main active ingredients in ginseng. Here, we aimed to confirm its protective effect on the heart function in transverse aortic coarctation (TAC)-induced heart failure mice and explore the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on heart and mitochondrial function were investigated by treating TAC-induced heart failure in mice. The mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 for improving heart and mitochondrial function in mice with heart failure was predicted through integrative analysis of the proteome and plasma metabolome. Glucose uptake and myocardial insulin sensitivity were evaluated using micro-positron emission tomography. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on myocardial insulin sensitivity was clarified by combining in vivo animal experiments and in vitro cell experiments. Results: Treatment of TAC-induced mouse models with ginsenoside Rg3 significantly improved heart function and protected mitochondrial structure and function. Fusion of metabolomics, proteomics, and targeted metabolomics data showed that Rg3 regulated the glycolysis process, and Rg3 not only regulated glucose uptake but also improve myocardial insulin resistance. The molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 regulation of glucose metabolism was determined by exploring the interaction pathways of AMPK, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on the promotion of glucose uptake in IR-H9c2 cells by AMPK activation was dependent on the insulin signaling pathway. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rg3 modulates glucose metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance through activation of the AMPK pathway.