• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.475-482
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• 2013

The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides. Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 are accepted as marker substances for quality control worldwide. The analytical methods currently used to detect these two compounds unfairly penalize steamed and dried (red) P. ginseng preparations, because it has a lower content of those ginsenosides than white ginseng. To manufacture red ginseng products from fresh ginseng, the ginseng roots are exposed to high temperatures for many hours. This heating process converts the naturally occurring ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 into artifact ginsenosides such as ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, and Rh2, among others. This study highlights the absurdity of the current analytical practice by investigating the time-dependent changes in the crude saponin and the major natural and artifact ginsenosides contents during simmering. The results lead us to recommend (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 as new reference materials to complement the current P. ginseng preparation reference materials ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1. An attempt has also been made to establish validated qualitative and quantitative analytical procedures for these four compounds that meet International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines for specificity, linearity, range, accuracy, precision, detection limit, quantitation limit, robustness and system suitability. Based on these results, we suggest a validated analytical procedure which conforms to ICH guidelines and equally values the contents of ginsenosides in white and red ginseng preparations.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제15권11호
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• pp.6774-6781
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• 2014

인삼(Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer)의 주요 생리활성물질인 진세노사이드(ginsenoside) Rb1과 Rg1의 효능검증 및 작용점을 규명하고자 HaCaT 피부각질세포에서 유전체 분석(gene expression profiles)을 실시하였다. 진세노사이드 Rb1과 Rg1 각각의 처리 농도 및 시간에 따른 HaCaT 세포에 대한 세포독성은 나타나지 않았으며, $10{\mu}g/mL$의 진세노사이드 Rb1과 Rg1 각각을 6 및 24 시간 처리하여 유전체 분석 결과, 진세노사이드 Rb1과 Rg1의 24 시간 처리군에서 항노화 및 피부탄력 관련 유전자인 fibroblast growth factor (FGF2)의 활성이 증가된 것으로 나타났다. 또한 진세노사이드 Rb1의 24 시간 처리군에서는 항산화 작용점에 있는 일련의 유전자군, FANCD2, FGF2, LEPR, FAS 등의 활성을 확인하였다. 향후 확인된 항노화 및 피부탄력 관련 주요인자들의 작용 및 상관관계를 구체적으로 확인하고, 특히 진세노사이드 Rb1의 신호전달을 완성하고자 한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.205-214
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• 2020

Background: This article aims to compare and analyze the contents of ginsenosides in ginseng of different plant ages from different localities in China. Methods: In this study, 77 fresh ginseng samples aged 2-4 years were collected from 13 different cultivation regions in China. The content of eight ginsenosides (Rg₃, Rc, Rg₁, Rf, Rb₂, Rb₁, Re, and Rd) was determined using rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS) to comparatively evaluate the influences of cultivation region and age. Results: Ginsenoside contents differed significantly depending on age and cultivation region. The contents of ginsenosides Re, Rc, Rg₁, Rg₃, and Rf increased with cultivation age, whereas that of ginsenoside Rb₁ peaked in the third year of cultivation. Moreover, the highest ginsenoside content was obtained from Changbai (19.36 mg/g) whereas the lowest content was obtained from Jidong (12.05 mg/g). Ginseng from Jilin Province contained greater total ginsenosides and was richer in ginsenoside Re than ginseng of the same age group in Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces, where Rb₁ and Rg₁ contents were relatively high. Conclusion: In this study, RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS was used to analyze ginsenoside contents in 77 ginseng samples aged 2-4 years from different cultivation regions. These patterns of variation in ginsenoside content, which depend on harvesting location and age, could be useful for interested parties to choose ginseng products according to their needs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제16권3호
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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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• 제36권2호
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• pp.205-210
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• 2012

For quality control of components in Korean red ginseng powder and extract, a new method for simultaneous quantification of 12 ginsenosides ($Rg_1$, Re, Rf, $Rh_1$, $Rg_2$[S], $Rg_2$[R], $Rb_1$, Rc, $Rb_2$, Rd, $Rg_3$[S], and $Rg_3$[R]) was studied. Compared to the official method for quantification of marker substances (ginsenosides $Rg_1$ and $Rb_1$), the proposed methods were guaranteed by in-house method validation. Several criteria such as linearity, specificity, precision and accuracy were evaluated. For red ginseng powder, recovery (averaging 95% to 105%) was calculated, and analysis of variance was carried out to estimate the relative standard deviation (0.20% to 2.12%). For red ginseng extract, the average recovery rate was 90% to 99% and the relative standard deviation was 0.39% to 2.40%. These results indicate that the proposed method could be used in the laboratory for determination of 12 ginsenosides in red ginseng powder and extract. In addition, this method was found to be suitable for quality control of ginseng products and potentially offer time and cost benefits.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.304-313
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• 2015

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a promising anticancer agent. It is usually produced by heat treatment of ginseng, in which ginsenoside Rb1 is the major ginsenoside. A kinetic study was conducted to optimize ginsenoside Rg3 production by the heat treatment of ginsenoside Rb1. Methods: Ginsenoside Rb1 was heated using an isothermal machine at $80^{\circ}C$ and $100^{\circ}C$ and analyzed using HPLC. The kinetic parameters were calculated from the experimental results. The activation energy was estimated and used to simulate the process. The optimized parameters of ginsenoside Rg3 production are suggested based on the simulation. Results: The rate constants were $0.013h^{-1}$ and $0.073h^{-1}$ for the degradation of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3 at $80^{\circ}C$, respectively. The corresponding rate constants at $100^{\circ}C$ were $0.045h^{-1}$ and $0.155h^{-1}$. The estimated activation energies of degradation of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3 were 69.2 kJ/mol and 40.9 kJ/mol, respectively. The rate constants at different temperatures were evaluated using the estimated activation energies, and the kinetic profiles of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3 at each temperature were simulated based on the proposed kinetic model of consecutive reaction. The optimum strategies for producing ginsenoside Rg3 from ginsenoside Rb1 are suggested based on the simulation. With increased temperature, a high concentration of ginsenoside Rg3 is formed rapidly. However, the concentration decreases quickly after the reaching the maximal concentration value. Conclusion: The optimum temperature for producing ginsenoside Rg3 should be the highest temperature technically feasible below $180^{\circ}C$, in consideration of the cooling time. The optimum reaction time for heat treatment is 30 min.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.200-230
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• 2012

Objectives: Ginseng, Panax ginseng C. A., white ginseng, has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Korean Medicine. Red ginseng can be made by a steaming process of white ginseng changing a variety of ginsenosides and ingredients such as dencichine. This article reviews red ginseng for mechanisms for pharmacodynamics and toxicity based on the content of ginseng's active ingredients, ginsenoside changed by steaming. Methods: The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct and Chinese Scientific Journals full text database (CQVIP), and KSI (Korean Studies Information) from their respective inceptions to June 2012. Results: Compared with unsteamed ginseng, the content of ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, Rh2 and Rk1 called red ginseng-specific ginsenosides increased after the steaming process. Different ginsenosides have shown a wide variety of effects such as lowering or raising blood sugar and blood pressure or stimulating or sedating the nervous system. Especially, the levels of Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, Rh2 and Rk1 were increased by the steaming process, showing a variety of pharmacodynamics in biological systems. Also, various processing methods such as puffing and fermentation have been developed in processing crude ginseng or red ginseng, affecting the content of ginseng's ingredients. The safety issue could be the most critical, specifically, on changed ginseng's ingredients such as dencichine. The level of dencichine was significantly reduced in red ginseng by the steaming process. In addition, the possible toxicity for red ginseng was affected by cytochrome P450, a herbal-drug interaction. Conclusions: The variety of pharmacological and toxicological properties should be changed by steaming process of Panax ginseng C. A., white ginseng. Even if it is not sure whether the steaming process of white ginseng would be better pharmacologically, it is sure that steaming reduces the level of dencichine causing a lower toxicity to the nervous system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권1호
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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.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.536-539
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• 2003

백삼 가공품과 홍삼 가공품의 사포닌 분포 내용과 함량을 비교하기 위하여 시판되고 있는 백삼 농축액(WGC)과 홍삼 농축액(RGC)을 각각 1종 선정하여 조 사포닌의 함량과 개별 ginsenoside의 함량분포를 조사하였다. Shibata의 방법과 우리나라 식품공전에 따라 측정한 조 사포닌의 양은 WGC가 각각 10.65와 21.77%이었으며 RGC는 5.80와 10.94%이였고, HPLC에 의한 총 사포닌의 양은 WGC가 7.40와 10.64%, RGC는 3.31와 3.13%로서 백삼 농축액의 사포닌 함량이 홍삼 농축액의 경우 보다 전반적으로 높았다. HPLC로 분석한 인삼 사포닌, ginsenoside $Rb_1,\;Rb_2,\;Rc,\;Rd,\;Re,\;Rf,\;Rg_1,\;20(S)\;Rg_3,\;20(R)Rg_3,\;20(S)\;Rh_1$ 그리고 $20(R)\;Rh_1$ 이었으며 대부분 홍삼농축액 보다는 백삼농축액의 함량이 높았으며, 특히 ginsenoside $Rb_1,\;Rg_1$ 그리고 $Rb_2$은 백삼 농축액에 3배 이상 더 함유되어 있었다. 또한 protopanaxadiol group과 protopanaxatriol group의 비율(PD/PT)에 있어서는 농축액간의 차이는 크지 않았다. 홍삼의 특유 사포닌으로 알려진 20(S)- 및 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$가 WGC와 RGC에 비슷하게 분포하는 것으로 확인되었다. 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$의 조 사포닌 조제법에 따라 RGC에서 0.48과 0.47% WGC에 0.40와 0.53%, 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$도 RGC에 0.10과 0.11%, WGC에 0.14와 0.22%이었다.

• 생약학회지
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.361-365
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• 2011

The objective of this study is to provide basic information for developing a high-value ginseng product using ginseng saponin and prosapogenin. In order to achieve the proposed objective ginsenoside compositions of Black (BG) and Red (RG) ginseng extract with 95% ethyl alcohol were examined by means of HPLC. The crude saponin and ginsenoside composition of processed ginseng products were analyzed and compared, with BG topping the list with a crude saponin content of 7.53%, followed by RG (5.29%). Ginseng prosapogenin (ginsenosides $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rg_6$, $Rh_1$, $Rh_4$, $Rk_1$, $Rk_3$, $F_1$ and $F_4$) in BG was found to be contained almost 2.6 times as much as that in RG. Ginsenosides $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rk_1$, $Rh_4$ and $F_4$ in BG in particular were found to be almost 3 times as much as those in RG. $Rg_6$ and $Rk_3$ in BG were also found to be almost 4 times as much as those in RG.