• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.272-282
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• 2011

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) has been shown to have anti-aging effects in animal and clinical studies. However, the molecular mechanisms by which ginseng exerts these effects remain unknown. Here, the anti-aging effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) in rat testes was examined by system biology analysis. KRG water extract prepared in feed pellets was administered orally into 12 month old rats for 4 months, and gene expression in testes was determined by microarray analysis. Microarray analysis identified 33 genes that significantly changed. Compared to the 2 month old young rats, 13 genes (Rps9, Cyp11a1, RT1-A2, LOC365778, Sv2b, RGD1565959, RGD1304748, etc.) were up-regulated and 20 genes (RT1-Db1, Cldn5, Svs5, Degs1, Vdac3, Hbb, LOC684355, Svs5, Tmem97, Orai1, Insl3, LOC497959, etc.) were down-regulated by KRG in the older rats. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of untreated aged rats versus aged rats treated with KRG showed that the affected most was Cyp11a1, responsible for C21-steroid hormone metabolism, and the top molecular and cellular functions are organ morphology and reproductive system development and function. When genes in young rat were compared with those in the aged rat, sperm capacitation related genes were down-regulated in the old rat. However, when genes in the old rat were compared with those in the old rat treated with KRG, KRG treatment up-regulated C21-steroid hormone metabolism. Taken together, Cyp11a1 expression is decreased in the aged rat, however, it is up-regulated by KRG suggesting that KRG seems enhance testes function via Cyp11a1.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.88-91
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• 2010

This study examined the effects of Korean red ginseng (RG) on muscle injury induced by eccentric exercise. Eighteen college male students were randomly assigned to either the RG group or the placebo group (P). The RG group ingested RG extract at 20 g/day (mixed with 200 mL of water) for 7 days prior to performing a downhill treadmill exercise and for 3 days after performing the downhill treadmill exercise, while the P group ingested 200 mL of water containing Agastachis Herba for 7 days prior to and 3 days following a downhill treadmill exercise. All subjects performed 2 bouts of a downhill treadmill exercise (6 km, -14 degree slope, 12 km/hr speed) with a 5 minute resting interval between bouts. Blood samples were drawn immediately before and after exercise, and at 1 hr, 24 hr, 48 hr, and 72 hr. Two-way repeated ANOVA documented that creatine kinase (CK) levels in the RG group were significantly reduced at 48 hr after exercise, as compared with P group, and remained constant until 72 hr after exercise. Lactate levels in the RG group were also significantly lower at 24 hr and 72 hr after exercise as compared to the P group. We conclude that supplementation of RGreduces CK levels and may prevent muscle injury induced by eccentric exercise.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2016

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-characterized medicinal herb listed in the classic oriental herbal dictionary as "Shin-nong-bon-cho-kyung." Ginseng has diverse pharmacologic and therapeutic properties. Black ginseng (BG, Ginseng Radix nigra) is produced by repeatedly steaming fresh ginseng nine times. Studies of BG have shown that prolonged heat treatment enhances the antioxidant activity with increased radical scavenging activity. Several recent studies have showed the effects of BG on increased lipid profiles in mice. In this study report the effects of water and ethanol extracts of BG on hypercholesterolemia in rats. To our knowledge, this is the first time such an effect has been reported. Methods: Experiments were conducted on male Sprague Dawley rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with the water and ethanol extracts of BG (200 mg/kg). Their blood cholesterol levels, serum white blood cell levels, and cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were determined. Liver and adipose tissues were histologically analyzed. Results: We found that BG extracts efficiently reduced the total serum cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels with increased food efficiency ratio and increased number of neutrophil cells. It also attenuated the key genes responsible for lipogenesis, that is, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) acetyltransferase 2, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, at the mRNA level inside liver cells. Furthermore, the BG extract also reduced the accumulation of fat in adipose tissues, and inhibited the neutral fat content in liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Conclusion: Administration of BG extracts to Sprague Dawley rats fed with high-cholesterol diet ameliorated hypercholesterolemia, which was mediated via modulation of cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes. This data throw a light on BG's cardioprotective effects.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.369-377
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• 2007

This study investigated the effect of ginseng products on the baking properties of white breads. Flour was substituted by ginseng products (ginseng at levels 2, 4, 6, and 8%, all w/w, of flour levels). Both ginseng powder (GP) and red ginseng powder (RGP) were used. Similarly, red ginseng extract (RGE) was substituted at levels of 1, 2, 3, and 4% (all w/w) of flour. The physical properties of each dough were assessed using farinograms, extensograms, and amylograms. Water absorption increased as the proportions of ginseng products rose. The dough surface areas and R/E (resistance/extensibility) values decreased, as did peak viscosities, at the proportions of ginseng products increased. The pH values during fermentation decreased as the proportions of ginseng products increased. The fermentation power of dough with GP was lower than that of control, and higher than that of dough with RGP or RGE, but the addition of ginseng products beyond certain levels weakened the gas retention power: The specific loaf volumes of breads with 2% GP were the highest at 5.41 mL/g. In breads with RGE, the specificloaf volume increased from 5.52 mL/g to 5.82 mL/g as RGE levels rose from 0% to 4%. Hardness increased with rising GP and RGP levels in breads with GP and RGP, but decreased with RGE levels in breads with RGE. The moisture contents of breads during storage tended to be higher than control in breads with ginseng products. Lightness increased with addition of GP and decreased upon addition of RGP or RGE, while redness and yellowness increased after addition of any ginseng products. In sensory evaluation tests, the sensory scores for texture, color, mouth feel, and overall acceptability, were high, when any ginseng product (GP, RGP or RGE) was present at 2%. Of these breads, the bread with 2% RGE attained the highest sensory score.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1485-1489
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• 2004

Panax ginseng is the one of best famous phytochemical plant in the world and it's various positive effects such as antioxidant, regulation of immunity are very well known. In this study, we investigated primary the cell viability and morphological change and secondary an antioxidative effect and liver function improvement of extract from Ginseng folium and stem in CCl4 intoxicated rats. The NCTC cell line were used for cell viability and sirius red staining before the animal experiment. The female Sprague-Dawley rats (90-100g) were divided into 3 groups (Normal, AC: CCl₄ treated group, GFS: CCl₄+ extract of Ginseng folium and stem treated group) and acute liver damage was developed by one time administration of CCl₄ mixture (0.5㎖/rat). The liver tissue and sera were collected and used for quantitative measurement of enzyme activity (AST, ALT, ALP, BUN), MDA and Hyp. As a result, cell viability in GFS treated group (in concentration of 3.33-33.33㎎ GFS/200㎕ medium) was 180.9-241.0% significantly and dose dependently higher than in control group. And potential state of cell growth and differentiation and no criteria of cytoplasm lysis and nucleus breaking were observed in control and GFS group. The parameters of liver function (AST and ALP) in sera of GFS group showed significantly 93% and 67.6% lower than AC group (p<0.005-0.05). And the level of ALT and BUN showed fast similar in AC group and GFS group. The concentration of MDA in liver was decreased 576.5% significantly in GFS group when compared with AC group (p<0.005). The content of Hyp in GFS group is merely lower than in AC group. In conclusion, the water extract of Ginseng folium and stem such as Ginseng radix may be possessed the antioxidative effect and improvement of liver function in CCl₄ intoxicated rats.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2010

Red ginseng tail roots (9.8 g water/100 g sample) were puffed at 7, 8, 9, and 10 $kg_{f}/cm^{2}$ using a rotational puffing gun. Puffed red ginseng was extracted with 70% ethanol, and the concentrated extract was successively partitioned with diethyl ether, n-butanol and $H_{2}O$. Two unknown ginsenosides from puffed red ginseng were found at 63 and 65 min of retention time in HPLC chromatogram suggesting that chemical structure of some ginsenosides might be altered during the puffing process. Identification of two unknown compounds was carried out using TLC, HPLC and NMR. Two major compounds were isolated from TLC. According to TLC result, compound I was expected to be the mixture of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5, and compound II was expected to be a 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_{3}$. Three compounds were isolated from n-butanol fraction through repeated silica gel and octadecyl silica gel column chromatographies. From the result of $^{1}H$- and $^{13}C$-NMR data, the chemical structures of unknown compounds were determined as ginsenoside $Rg_{5}$ and 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_{3}$. Unfortunately, ginsenoside $Rk_{1}$ could not be separated from ginsenoside-$Rg_{5}$ in the compound I. It was carefully reexamined using HPLC and confirmed that the last unknown compound was ginsenoside-$Rk_{1}$.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.504-514
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the emulsifying properties of concentrated red ginseng extract (CRGE). First, we determined the interfacial tension of CRGE at the oil-water interface. Second, oil-in-water emulsions were prepared with CRGE and then their physicochemical properties such as fat globule size, zeta-potential, dispersion stability, and microscopic characteristics were determined. It was found that interfacial tension gradually decreased with increasing CRGE concentration, indicative of some surface activity. In emulsions, fat globule size was decreased as CRGE concentration increased, showing a critical value ($d_{43}$ ≒ $0.39{\mu}m$) at ${\geq}3.5wt%$ of CRGE. In addition, pH and NaCl also influenced on fat globule sizes; they were increased in acidic conditions ($pH{\leq}3$) or in higher NaCl concentration (${\geq}0.4M$) and these results were interpreted in view of the change in zeta potentials. The dispersion stability by separation analyzer ($LUMiFuge^{(R)}$) showed that it was more stable in emulsions with higher CRGE concentration (i.e., ${\geq}3.5wt%$). In conclusion, CRGE was surface-active and it could be used as an emulsifier in preparation of food emulsions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2008

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the major cause of photoaging that causes skin wrinkling, roughness, dryness, laxity, and pigmentation. Recently, increasing efforts are being made to understand the relationship between foods and skin health. Ginsenosides are present in ginseng (Ginseng Radix Rubra) extract, and are known to have biomedical properties, such as, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated whether KTNG0345 prepared from red ginseng extracts delivered orally reduces skin wrinkling and ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced wrinkle formation in hairless mouse skin. KTNG0345 was administrated orally to the mice (5 times a week) during the period of UVB-irradiation (3 times a week) for 8 weeks at three different doses of 300 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg (w/v). UV doses were increased weekly by 1 MED (1MED = 75 $mJ/cm^2)$ up to 4 MED and then maintained at this level. After the 8-week administration period, it was found that orally administered KTNG0345 significantly inhibited UVB-induced wrinkle formation in a dose-dependent manner. Increases in skin thickness caused by UVB were prevented by KTNG0345. Moreover, it also significantly inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -13 and MMP-9 expressional inductions by UVB. In addition, KTNG0345 was observed to prevent UVB-induced water loss of epidermis in hairless mouse skin. Our results demonstrate that orally administered KTNG0345 has anti-wrinkling effects in hairless mouse skin, and suggest that dietary red ginseng and herbal mixture may be considered a functional beauty food for preventing UVB-induced skin wrinkles.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2008

Effect of pulverization on total solid, crude saponin, and acidic polysaccharide contents of dried red ginseng main root were tested. Several particle size samples, including red ginseng main root (non pulverized), $10{\sim}40$ mesh powder, $40{\sim}100$ mesh powder, and >100 mesh powder were used in the extraction. The sequential solvent extraction method (1st: 70% EtOH at $70^{\circ}C$ for 12 hr, 2nd: 70% EtOH at $70^{\circ}C$ for 12 hr, 3rd: water at $70^{\circ}C$ for 12 hr) was applied to extract the saponins and acidic polysaccharide. Extraction yield of total solid of pulverized red ginseng ($10{\sim}40$ mesh size) was increased to 20% compared with that of non-pulverized. Especially, the crude saponin content of pulverized red ginseng ($10{\sim}40$ mesh size) showed an increase of 47% over non-pulverized. No difference in the component ratio was observed by pulverization, when the individual ginsenosides were quantified by HPLC. Also, extraction yield of acidic polysaccharide of pulverized red ginseng ($10{\sim}40$ mesh size) was increased 57% compared with that of non-pulverized. The results suggested that pulverization might be useful for increasing the extraction yield of red ginseng components.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.374-382
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• 2013

The objective of this study was determined to evaluate ${\alpha}$-amylase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase inhibition in vitro and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the several Korean resources plants. The ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory activity of Salicornia herbacea, Erythronium japonicum (flower) and Phragmites communis (root) in water extract showed relatively high 62.8%, 66.5% and 69.3%, respectively. The ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory activity of Citrus junos (pericarp) and Cornus officinalis in methanol extract was found to have an effect with 32.8% in Citrus junos (pericarp) and 60.9% in Cornus officinalis. Corylopsis coreana in both water and methanol extract had the highest ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity of 81.7% and 89.5%, while the extract of Portulaca oleracea, Ficus carica and Citrus junos was not measured ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity at given experiment concentration. Depending on the extraction solvent and the plant species, it was observed that there was a significant difference in ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity showed relatively higher in the methanol extract than water extract except pericarp of Citrus junos. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of selected plants was much difference between measured plant species, and showed that the increase was proportional to the concentration. These results suggested that selected plants had the potent biological activity on carbohydrate, lipid Inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity, therefore these plant resources could be a good materials to develop medicinal preparations, nutraceuticals or health functional foods for diabetes or obesity.