• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.198-208
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• 2006

Background : Ginseng has traditionally been used in oriental countries to recover vital energy from Qi deficiency, and has shown various biomedical effects in the scientific literature. Recent reports suggest that ginseng could regulate blood pressure (BP), but much controversy still remains. Therefore, we intended to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of several ginseng types frequently used in clinics. We also investigated the anti-hypertensive effect on Koreans and Chinese, and by the body type according to Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). Methods : The study subjects were recruited from mildly hypertensive patients who exhibited pre-hypertension(120/80 to 139/89 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (140/90 to 159/99 mmHg) in Korea and China. After assigning the subjects into a Korean, a Chinese, a red, and an American ginseng group by randomization, we prescribed ginseng at a dose of 4.5 g per day for 4 weeks. To assess the anti-hypertensive effect, we compared the mean of systolic and diastolic BP between before and after ginseng medication using a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (24 hr ABPM. We also monitored adverse effect and laboratory findings to secure the subjects' safety. In addition, all of the subjects in Korea consulted a specialist of Sasang Constitution Medicine to identify their constitutional type. Results : There were 64 subjects treated with Korean ginseng, 58 treated with Chinese ginseng, 33 treated with red ginseng, and 64 treated with American ginseng. Korean, Chinese, and American ginseng all reduced subjects' BP; Korean and Chinese ginseng showed more effect. The secondary analysis on the subjects' nationality revealed that all of the ginseng types showed more significant anti-hypertensive effect in Chinese patients than in Koreans. The third analysis on the constitutional type of SCM showed there was no significant difference in the effectiveness and the safety of ginseng among the constitutional types. Conclusions : We suggest ginseng, especially Panax ginseng without any steaming-drying process, could be useful for mild hypertension. Further, ginseng is safe regardless of subjects' constitutional type or type of ginseng within a dosage of 4.5g per day.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 1990

We have been isolating various physiologically active substances from non-saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng. These are adenosine, pyre-glutamic acid, dencichine and acidic polysaccharide. Adenosine and pyre-glutamic acid are known to inhibit epinephrine-induced lipolysis in fat cells and stimulate the insulin-mediated lipogenesis. In addition to these actions, adenosine was found to inhibit both norepinephrine- and histamine-induced aorta constriction, and pyre·glutamic acid inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme. Dencichine stimulated histamine-induced aorta constriction. Finally, acidic polysaccharide was found to inhibit both lipolytic and anorexigenic actions of Toxohormone-L. Based on these experimental results, I presented a briefreview on these compounds isolated from non-saponin fraction of Korea Red Ginseng.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2013

Objectives and Methods: This study was conducted to investigate the formula of ONGABO to composed of Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng), Angelica Gigantis Radix, Schisandrae Fructus, Cuscuta Semen, Curcumae Tuber with the method to observe the cell viability of HepG2 in the basic principle of oriental medicine formula study, Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier principle (君臣佐使論). Results: Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) and Schisandrae Fructus were having a cell protection effect in HepG2 significantly. Angelica gigantis radix was decreased the cell viability of HepG2 significantly, and there were no effects for Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber to the cell viability of HepG2. Conclusions: As the above results, in the Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier principle (君臣佐使論), Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) corresponds to sovereign medicinal having cell protect effects, angelica gigantis radix corresponds to minister medicinal having cell killing effects, Schisandrae Fructus corresponds to assistant medicinal to help red ginseng having cell protect effects. Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber correspond to courier medicinal having no effect in cell viability in HepG2. We hope the advanced research on sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle will be proceed in the tomorrow.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.287-306
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• 1993

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.247-250
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• 1984

As a consecutive work on stability for the quality of ginseng products, the sorption properties of red ginseng (RG), red ginseng powder (RGP), and red ginseng powder tablet (RGPT) were studied in order to set the optimum moisture level for them. The levels of moisture at BET monolayer of RGP and RGPT ranged 5.97 to 7.27 % and 4.73 to 5.14 % in wet basis, respectively. Based on these values, the optimum moisture content for both of them would preferably be set at $6.7{\pm}0.7%$ and $4.9{\pm}0.2%$. From the results of storage study on microorganism growth under the maltreated condition, $40^{\circ}C$, and 75% RH, the optimum level of moisture for RG could be extended up to $14.0{\pm}0.5%$, which is much higher than the circulating values of 10.416%.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2007

In this paper, we present evidence that the Korean red ginseng extract shows the immunomodulatory activities during postoperative chemotherapy after curative surgery in patients with advanced colon cancer. We measured the circulating interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8)and interleukin-10 (IL-10) as a immune modulator to evaluate the effect of Korean red ginseng. The mean preoperative value of IL-2 was similar in the non-RG group and the RG group (5.72 pg/ml versus 6.87 pg/ml, p>0.05). The mean value of IL-2 was compared with IL-2 from healthy control group, there was no significant difference (14.89 pg/ml versus 14.22 pg/ml, p>0.05). The mean preoperative value of IL-8 was higher in the non-RG group comparing with the RG group (30.92 pg/ml versus 36.25 pg/ml, p < 0.05). At postoperative 3 month, the mean values of IL-8 from non-RG and RG group down to 24.56 pg/ml and 21.46 pg/ml respectively. The IL-8 of RG group at 3 month showed no difference with that of HC group(21.46 pg/ml versus 16.31 pg/ml, p>0.05). The preoperative mean value of IL-10 of non-RG, RG and HC group was 11.56 pg/ml, 10.8 pg/ml, and 3.68 pg/ml respectively. At postoperative 3 month, the mean values of IL-10 from non-RG and RG group down to 8.45 pg/ml and 5.04 pg/ml respectively. In spite of decreasing IL-10 levels of both cancer Patients group with time, there was still significant difference with that of HC group (non-RG versus HC group, p=0.00, RC versus HC group, p=0.04). The results of this study suggest that the red ginseng extract may have some immunomodulatory properties associated with IL-2, IL-8 and IL-10 activity in patients with advanced colorectal cancer during postoperative chemotherapy. We think to need the further studies and a larger sample size to fully evaluate the antitumor effect of ginseng and need to establish this mechanism of action as well as identify the active components associated with antitumor activity and immunomodulation in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.196-200
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• 2004

This study was conducted to compare the root weight, yield, quality of fresh and red ginseng roots and crude saponin content in roots between fixing light transmittance(Control) and changing light transmittance(C.L.T.) during the ginseng growing seasons. The root weight in C.L.T. was higher than control by $35{\%}$ in early growth stage, $28{\%}$ in middle growth stage and $26{\%}$ in late growth stage in 6 years old ginseng plant. Root yield per 10a in C.L.T. was increased about $40{\%}$ as compared with that of control, also 1st and 2nd grade of fresh ginseng roots in C.L.T. was higher $(50.3{\%})$ compared with that $(12.9{\%})$ of control. The specific gravity of ginseng roots grown under the C.L.T. was exhibited the sig­nificant difference than control during the growing season in 4 and 6 years old ginseng plants. Red ginseng quality in C.L.T. was not only improved remarkably due to the increasement of heaven and earth grade red ginseng but also increased in crude saponin content than control. Therefore it needs to change the light transmittance(increasing light dur­ing low temperature periods and decreasing light during high temperature period) during the growing season for high yield and good qualities of ginseng roots.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.165-168
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• 1989

Ginseng plants in the 2nd year were grown under the shade (90-95%) of colored cellophane films at $15^{\circ}C$ in a natural light phytotron. Relative root grown (final/initial) was in decreasing order of blue, green, white, yellow and red. The growth of aerial part, especially stem length was poorest in blue light with relative root growth negatively correlated with stem length. In this relation each color showed specific domain. Stem length showed positive linear correlation with leaf area per plant in each and among light though it was not significant in red light. The content and ratio of chlorophyll a and b in leaf were in the decreasing order of White, Blue, Green, Red and Yellow. There is positive correlation between chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, and between total chlorophyll and chl:a/b ratio. Blue color shade is expected to be beneficial for ginseng production.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.690-699
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• 2022

Background: Few studies reported the therapeutic effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in lung inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular in cadmium-induced lung injury have been poorly understood, directly linked to chronic lung diseases (CLDs): chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer etc. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate the therapeutic activities of water extract of KRG (KRG-WE) in mouse cadmium-induced lung injury model. Method: The anti-inflammatory roles and underlying mechanisms of KRG-WE were evaluated in vitro under cadmium-stimulated lung epithelial cells (A549) and HEK293T cell line and in vivo in cadmium-induced lung injury mouse model using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), luciferase assay, immunoblotting, and FACS. Results: KRG-WE strongly ameliorated the symptoms of CdSO4-induced lung injury in mice according to total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and severity scores as well as cytokine levels. KRG-WE significantly suppressed the upregulation of inflammatory signaling comprising mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and their upstream enzymes. In in vitro study, KRG-WE suppressed expression of interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and IL-8 while promoting recovery in CdSO₄-treated A549 cells. Similarly, KRG-WE reduced phosphorylation of MAPK and c-Jun/c-Fos in cadmium-exposed A549 cells. Conclusion: KRG-WE was found to attenuate symptoms of cadmium-induced lung injury and reduce the expression of inflammatory genes by suppression of MAPK/AP-1-mediated pathway.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.573-582
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• 2013

This study was done in order to investigate the bioconversion of ginsenoside, as well as the quality characteristics of fermented ginseng, by using lactic acid bacteria. Quality characteristics such as the thin layer chromatography(TLC) pattern, ginsenosides, total phenolic content, electron donating ability, and total sugar of fermenting ginseng and red ginseng were analyzed. The ginsenoside Rg2r, Rh2s and Rh2r of the fermented ginseng and red ginseng for 65 hours at a temperature of $37^{\circ}C$ were not detected. The ginsenoside Rg1 and Re contents have decreased, while the Rh1, Rg2s, Rd, Rg3r, and Rg3s have increased due to fermentation. The ginsenoside Rg3 of the fermented red ginseng has increased and the contents were $114.83{\sim}131.68{\mu}g/mL$ (control $104.56{\mu}g/mL$). The total phenolic content and electron donating ability of the red ginseng have totally decreased after 7 days of fermentation. The total phenolic contents of the fermented ginseng and red ginseng with different lactic acid bacteria did not show any tendency as different strains. The electron donating ability of the fermented ginseng has increased; however, the electron donating ability of the red ginseng has decreased. The total sugars of the fermented ginseng and red ginseng with different lactic acid bacteria have also decreased.