• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.5708-5715
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• 2014

The effects of korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on orifacial pain control in terms of the systemic inflammatory response and pharmacological effects as health supplements were investigated. The experimental group were divided into three groups, the control group (n=6), formalin (5%, $50{\mu}{\ell}$) injection group (n=6), and formalin (5%, $50{\mu}{\ell}$) injection added KRG administrated group (4.5 ml/kg, n=6). The KRG administrated group prior to the formalin injection significantly attenuated the behavioral response compared to that of the control group. Pain reduction was suppressed mainly from 15 min to 30 min. The KRG administrated rats showed significantly reduced p38 MAPK, iNOS and Nrf2 expression in the brain and medulla oblongata according to Western blot analysis. These findings suggest that KRE may have a useful effect on orificial pain control functions by preventing the p38 MAPK pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.591-598
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• 2021

Background: Hematopoiesis is the production of blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that reside in the bone marrow. Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a chemotherapy drug that suppresses the immune system. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) and Colla corii asini (CCA) have been traditionally used for boosting the immune system. Methods: HSCs in the bone marrow, and immune cell subtype in splenocytes, PBMCs, and thymocytes were investigated. Serum levels of hematopoietic-related markers were analyzed using ELISA. Protein expression in spleen tissue was analyzed using western blot analysis. Hematoxylin & eosin staining in the femurs of mice were also conducted. Results: The combination of KRG and CCA with a ratio of 3:2 increased HSCs, CD3 and CD8⁺ T cells in the circulation, and CD3 T cells in the spleen. A ratio of 2:3 (KRG:CCA) increased the thymic regulatory T cells and recovered the CD3 T cells in the spleen and circulation while recovering proteins in the JAK-STAT pathway in the spleen. Overall, blood cell population and differentiating factors vital for cell differentiation were also significantly recovered by all combinations especially in ratios of 3:2 and 2:3. Conclusion: A ratio of 3:2 (KRG:CCA) is the most ideal combination as it recovered the HSC population in the bone marrow of mice.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.218-231
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• 2019

Background: We recently reported that Salvia plebeia R. Br. extracts suppress leukotriene production and effectively inhibit the airway inflammatory response by modulating inflammatory chemokine and cytokine expression. Here, we investigated the synergistic airway anti-inflammation effect of Salvia plebeia and Panax ginseng (Korean red ginseng, KRG) that has been used to treat various immune diseases such as asthma. Methods and Results: To evaluate the synergistic airway anti-inflammatory effect of Salvia plebeia and KRG, we measured the inhibitory effect of monotheraphy with either or co-theraphy with both on leukotriene and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Using coal a combustion, fly ash, and diesel exhaust particle (CFD)-induced respiratory disease mouse model, we found that co-theraphy synergistically suppressed airway inflammatory signs such as alveolar wall thickness and collagen fibers deposition, and decreased the number of total cell, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ cells, and inflammatory cytokines (IL17A, TNF, MIP-2 and CXCL-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Conclusions: We confirmed respiratory protection as a therapeutic effect of the Salbia plebeia-KRG 3 : 1 complex (KGC-03-PS) via anti-tracheal muscle contraction and expectorant animal studies using a CFD-induced respiratory disease mouse model.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.1 s.53
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• pp.13-20
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• 1999

We previously reported that Korean red ginseng (KRG) has a relaxation effect on the smooth muscles of corpus cavernosum via nitric oxide (NO) pathway and calcium and potassium channels. However, it is suggested that the active ingredients of KRG might be different depending on the sources of preparation, and there might be differences in actions for different compositions. We first investigated the composition of KRG saponins according to the extractions of the various sources of KRG, then with these extractions the relaxation effects were evaluated in vitro and hemodynamical in vivo using New Zealand white rabbit and rat corpus cavernosum. The total compositions of ginsenoside $(G-Rb_1,\;-Rb_2,\;-Rc,\;-Rd,\;G-Re,\;-Rf,\;-Rg_1)$ in fractionated KRG saponin designated as TS-1, TS-2, TS-3 were $41\%,\;40\%,\;and\;62\%,$ respectively, and the ratios of PD saponin and PT saponin (PD/PT) were 1,55, 1.72, 2.25, and 2.61, the values of which were statistically significant. In vitro studies using the rabbit corpus cavernosal muscle strips, the KRG saponin relaxed cavernosal strips in a dose-dependent manner, and same results were observed in in vivo studies, that KRG saponin increased the intracavernosal pressure in the rat. There was difference in the efficacy according to fractionation techniques. The differences in the total contents of ginsenosides did not affect relaxation, rather PT saponin content was statistically related to the degree of cavernosal relaxation, and this action presumed to be mediated by NO pathway and calcium and potassium channels. In conclusion, KRG exerts relaxation which is a key step in erection via combination of effects on NO system or calcium and potassium channels. The efficacy of this action is different to the sources of ginseng, which is affected by the different composition of ginsenosides $(G-Rb_1,\;-Rb_2,\;-Rc,\;-Rd,\;G-Re,\;-Rf,\;-Rg_1).$ Thus the further studies on the active ingredients such as minor ginsenosides and non-saponin components of red ginseng with maximum potency should be sought.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2013

The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of ginseng as a treatment option for managing menopause symptoms. We searched the literature using ll databases from their inception to 26 September 2012 and included all randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that compared any type of ginseng to a placebo controls in postmenopausal women. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using a Cochrane risk of bias tool. Four RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Most RCTs had high risk of bias. One RCT showed that Korean red ginseng (KRG) significantly improved sexual arousal and global health compared with placebo. Another RCT reported the superiority of KRG over placebo for treating menopause symptoms on Kupperman's index and menopausal rating score. The third RCT failed to show a significant effect of KRG on hot flash frequency compared to placebo. The fourth RCT found beneficial effects of ginseng compared to placebo on depression and well-being. In conclusion, the evidence on ginseng as an effective treatment for managing menopause symptoms is limited. Most of the RCTs are burdened with a high risk of bias. Thus firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Rigorous studies seem warranted.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 2010

In this study, the anticoagulant compounds in Korean red ginseng (KRG) were investigated. KRG powder was extracted using hot methanol, and the methanol extract was fractionated into n-hexane, ethylacetate, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions by solvent partitioning. The remains from the methanol extraction were further extracted with water and then dialyzed to obtain low and high molecular weight fractions. The anticoagulant activities of the seven fractions were evaluated in terms of thrombin time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time. Among these fractions, the ethylacetate fraction showed the most potent anticoagulant activity. The active components in the ethylacetate fraction were identified as the phenolic compounds vanillic, caffeic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acid via TLC and HPLC. These findings suggest that the anticoagulant activities of phenolic compounds contribute to the cardiovascular effects of KRG.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.380-389
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• 2021

Metabolic syndrome (MS) refers to a clustering of at least three of the following medical conditions: high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, low high-density lipoprotein level, and high serum triglycerides. MS is related to a wide range of diseases which includes obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. There remains an ongoing need for improved treatment strategies for MS. The most important risk factors are dietary pattern, genetics, old age, lack of exercise, disrupted biology, medication usage, and excessive alcohol consumption, but pathophysiology of MS has not been completely identified. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) refers to steamed/dried ginseng, traditionally associated with beneficial effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-fatigue, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. KRG has been often used in traditional medicine to treat multiple metabolic conditions. This paper summarizes the effects of KRG in MS and related diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease based on experimental research and clinical studies.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.228-238
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• 2005

Objectives : We conducted a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of Ginseng and to know the difference of the effect according to it's growing districts md species by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM). Methods : We allocated 96 hypertensive patients enrolled in this trial to Korean ginseng(KG), American ginseng (AG), Chinese ginseng (CG), and Korean red ginseng (KRG) groups by randomization. Each subject was administered 4.5mg/day of encapsulated ginseng for 4 weeks. We assessed anti-hypertensive effect, blood pressure variability using ABPM and toxicity by blood chemistry before and after treatment. We also evaluated changes of symptoms due to hypertension and adverse effect in all groups at the first visit, 2 weeks later and 4 weeks later. Results : Blood pressure after treatments showed significant decrease of systolic blood pressure (sBP) in the CG-group (p<0,05) and diastolic blood pressure (dBP) in the KRG-group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant changes of sBP (or dBP) after treatment in the other groups and no significant difference in changes of BP between before and after treatment among the 4 groups. Blood pressure variability in the CG-group showed significant decrease after treatment but not in the KRG-group. Symptoms such as headache or neck stiffness and heating sensation due to hypertension improved significantly in all groups, especially in the KRG-group. A3l patients had no adverse effect after treatment and there was no liver or kidney toxicity. Conclusions : CG and KRG seem to have anti-hypertensive effects, but there was no significantly different effect depending on growing district and species of Ginseng.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.317-322
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• 2015

Alcohol-induced fatty liver (steatosis) results from excessive generation of reducing equivalents by ethanol metabolism. Generally, chronic ethanol treatment causes hepatosteatosis by regulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), which increases the synthesis of hepatic lipids. The effect of ethanol on SREBP-1c is mediated through mammalian sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), a NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase that regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. Ginseng is a widely used herbal medicine that is used in Asia for its anti-diabetes and anti-obesity effects. The pharmacological and therapeutic effects of ginseng are primarily produced by bioactive constituents known as ginsenosides. Here, we examined the regulatory effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on SREBP-1c and SIRT-1 on lipid homeostasis in AML-12 mouse hepatocytes. AML-12 cells were treated with ethanol and/or KRG extracts (0 - 1,000 μg/ml). Lipid droplets were assayed using Oil red O staining, and western blotting was used to measure SIRT-1 and SREBP-1 expression. Treatment with KRG extracts restored SIRT-1 expression and reduced SREBP-1c expression in ethanol-treated cells. We also showed that KRG extract and ginsenosides Rb₂ and Rd significantly decreased SREBP-1 acetylation in ethanol-treated cells. These results show that treatment with KRG extract and its active ginsenoside constituents Rb₂ and Rd protected against alcohol-related hepatosteatosis via regulation of SIRT-1 and downstream acetylation of SREBP-1c, which altered hepatic lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.132-138
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• 2002

To study the effect of Korea red ginseng (KCG) on the skin and cerebral blood flow, we evaluated the change of skin perfusion rate and cerebral perfusion rate after the intravenous, intraperitoneal, and oral administration of crude saponin (CS) and saponin-free fraction (SFF) of KRG in the rats. The change of skin perfusion rate and cerebral perfusion rate was measured laser doppler flowmetry. The intravenous injections of CS or SFF of KRG and intraperitoneal injection of SFF of KRG did not change the relative skin and cerebral blood flow in the rats. When the rats were treated by the intraperitoneal injection of CS of KRG, relative cerebral blood flow was significantly increased with a time-dependent manner, however, relative skin blood flow was not influenced by the them. Oral administration of CS of KRG slightly increased skin blood flow in the rats. Also, the change of cerebral blood flow by transient bilateral carotid arterial clamp in the CS-treated rats was significantly decreased, compared with control groups. From the above results, it was suggested that Korea red ginseng have a increasing property of cerebral blood flow in the rats.