• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.379-388
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• 2018

Background: Ginsenosides are the main ingredients of Korean Red Ginseng. They have extensively been studied for their beneficial value in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the multitarget effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) with various components are unclear. Methods: We investigated the multitarget activities of KRGE on neurological dysfunction and neurotoxicity in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mouse model of PD. KRGE (37.5 mg/ kg/day, 75 mg/kg/day, or 150 mg/kg/day, per os (p.o.)) was given daily before or after MPTP intoxication. Results: Pretreatment with 150 mg/kg/day KRGE produced the greatest positive effect on motor dysfunction as assessed using rotarod, pole, and nesting tests, and on the survival rate. KRGE displayed a wide therapeutic time window. These effects were related to reductions in the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive dopaminergic neurons, apoptosis, microglial activation, and activation of inflammatory factors in the substantia nigra pars compacta and/or striatum after MPTP intoxication. In addition, pretreatment with KRGE activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathways and inhibited phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathways, as well as blocked the alteration of blood-brain barrier integrity. Conclusion: These results suggest that KRGE may effectively reduce MPTP-induced neurotoxicity with a wide therapeutic time window through multitarget effects including antiapoptosis, antiinflammation, antioxidant, and maintenance of blood-brain barrier integrity. KRGE has potential as a multitarget drug or functional food for safe preventive and therapeutic strategies for PD.

• The Korean Ginseng Research and Industry
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.14-24
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• 2012

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.11-11
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• 2007

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2004.12a
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• pp.61-61
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• 2004

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2003

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Korean Red ginseng(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) extracts on antioxidative activities in Sprague-Dawley rats. This study also evaluated the synergistic effect of Korean red ginseng(RG) extracts with Saururus chinensis(Lour.) Baill(SC). and Rubus coreanus Miq.(RC) extracts. Experimental groups were divided into supplementation type(RG extracts, RG with SC and RC extracts) and amounts of extracts. Rats were received drinking water with or without RG, RC and SC extracts for eight weeks. In the antioxidant enzyme activities of liver cytosol, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly increased in RG groups and RG with SC and RC groups compared to control group. The antioxidative activities were increased in proportion to supplementation period and amounts of extracts. These results suggest that RG, RC and SC extracts have an beneficial effect to enhance the cellular antioxidant activities in rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.243-249
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) produced by the Aspergillus spp. causes acute hepatotoxicity by lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, and induces liver carcinoma in humans and laboratory animals. This study was performed to examine the protective effects of KRG against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ using liver-specific serum marker analysis, histopathology, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. In addition, to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effects, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were analyzed. Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg of KRG (KRG group) or saline ($AFB_1$ group) for 4 weeks and then received 150 ${\mu}g/kg$ of $AFB_1$ intraperitoneally for 3 days. Rats were sacrificed at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, or 1 wk after $AFB_1$ treatment. In the KRG pre-treatment group, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels were low, but superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were high as compared to the $AFB_1$ alone group. Histopathologically, $AFB_1$ treatment induced necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocytes, and led to inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver. KRG pre-treatment ameliorated these changes. These results indicate that KRG may have protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ that involve the antioxidant properties of KRG.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.456-463
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• 2021

Background: Keratinocytes form a physical barrier and act as an innate immune cell in skin. Keratinocytes secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, resulting from inflammasome activation when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) have been well-studied as modulators of inflammasome activation in immune cells, such as macrophages. In the study, we elucidated the role of RGE on the UV-mediated inflammasome activation in keratinocytes compared with that in macrophages. Methods: Human skin keratinocyte cells (HaCaT), human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK), human monocyte-like cells (THP-1), and mouse macrophages were treated with RGE or a saponin fraction (SF) or non-saponin fraction (NS) of RGE before and after UV irradiation. The secretion levels of IL-1β, as an indicator of inflammasome activation, were analyzed. Results: The treatment of RGE or SF in macrophages after UV irradiation inhibited IL-1β secretion, but similar treatment in HaCaT cells did not. However, the treatment of RGE or SF in HaCaT cells in the presence of poly I:C, a toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 ligand, before UV exposure elicited the inhibition of the IL-1β secretion. The inhibition was caused by the disruption by RGE or SF of the TLR mediating up-regulation of the pro-IL-1β and NLRP3 genes during the priming step. Conclusion: RGE and its saponins inhibit IL-1β secretion in response to UV exposure in both keratinocytes and macrophages. In particular, RGE treatment interrupted only the priming step in keratinocytes, although it did attenuate both the priming and activation steps in macrophages.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2023

The extraction and filtration of red ginseng with a mixed solvent of water and alcohol-a common processing method-and the production of a concentrate through heat treatment, such as steaming, leads to its hydrolysis or polymerization. Approximately 200 ginsenosides have consequently been detected in small amounts, in addition to the identification of the functions of approximately 30 major ginsenosides. This complicates the identification of the functionality of red ginseng and its efficacy, and has negative effects as a functional food, as the astringent taste becomes stronger with an increase in the number of extractions. The red ginseng concentrate was, therefore, extracted at a low temperature (less than 40 ℃) and processed to eliminate these negative aspects, with a specific focus on the characteristics of the functional components of ginsenosides.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.164-168
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• 1995

In order to elucidate the cytotoxicity-structure correlation of ginseng-derived components, several prosapogenins and sapogenins were prepared from Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) saponins by acid hydrolysis or alkaline cleveage, and their chemical structures were identified by a combination of spectral and physical methods. Some of these degradation products showed the cytotoxic activities against various cancer cell lines, A549, SK-OV-3, SK-Mel-2, P388, L1210 and K562. The significant difference in cytotoxicity between stereoisomers was not found and the activity was inversely proportional to the number of sugars linked to sapogenins. Diol-type prosapogenins and sapogenins showed higher cytotoxicity than triol-type ones.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1984.09a
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• pp.13-19
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• 1984

In the previous symposium, authors reported about anti-atherogenic action of Panax ginseng, saying that red-ginseng powder increased serum HDL-cholesterol, decreased total cholesterol, TG, NEFA, in addition, decreased platelet adhesiveness. Later, Toyama group including me. reported that ginsenosides esp. $Rb_2$ enhanced HDL and decreased LDL. Also Matsuyama group and Kinki Univ. group reported that ginsenosides $Rg_1,\;Rb_2,$ etc. inhibited platelet aggregation. This paper will be divided into two parts: Experimental and clinical Experimental study; Using a highcholesterol-cholic acid-fed rats, effects of red ginseng extract and several ginsenosides on serum apoprotein-lipoproteins in relation to prostaglandins. Rats received $2\%$ cholesterol 1-1$\%$ cholic acid diet, ginseng extract or ginsenosides 2.5mg/100g/day for 9 days. Red ginseng extract, ginsenosides $Rb_2,\;Rc,\;Rb_1,\;and\;Rg_1,\;esp.\;Rb_2,$ increased HDL, apo-AI, Aii and $PGI_2,$ while they decreased LDL, apo-B and $TXA_2$. Clinical study: Effect of red ginseng powder on hyperlipidemia was observed. Long term administration of red ginseng powder manufactured by Office of Monopoly, Republic of Korea and offered by Japan-Korea Korean Ginseng Co., Kobe, at the dose of 2.7 g/day, was performed in patients with hyperlipidemia up to 4 years. The significant increase in serum HDL-cholesterol and also the significant decrease in total cholesterol, atherogenic index, TG, NEFA and lipoperoxide was observed with 3-48 month administration of red ginseng. Conclusions: Red ginseng and ginsenosides improved hyperlipidemia in rats and in man, with the improvement of blood apoproteins, lipoproteins and prostaglandins in experimental hyperlipidemic animals.