• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.593-603
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• 2023

Background: Korean Red Ginseng is a major source of bioactive substances such as ginsenosides. Efficacy of red ginseng extract (RGE), which contains not only saponins but also various non-saponins, has long been studied. In the water-soluble component-rich fraction of RGE (WS), a byproduct generated in the process of extracting saponins from the RGE, we identified previously unidentified molecules and confirmed their efficacy. Methods: The RGE was prepared and used to produce WS, whose components were isolated sequentially according to their water affinity. The new compounds from WS were fractionized and structurally analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Physiological applicability was evaluated by verifying the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacies of these compounds in vitro. Results: High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed that the obtained WS comprised 11 phenolic acid and flavonoid substances. Among four major compounds from fractions 1-4 (F1-4) of WS, two compounds from F3 and F4 were newly identified in red ginseng. The analysis results show that these compound molecules are member of the maltol-structure-based glucopyranose series, and F1 and F4 are particularly effective for decreasing oxidative stress levels and inhibiting nitric oxide secretion, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a few newly identified maltol derivatives, such as red ginseng-derived non-saponin in the WS, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, making them viable candidates for application to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food materials.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2021

Scutellaria baicalensis has been used as a traditional medicine for diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, hemorrhaging, insomnia, inflammation, and respiratory infections. This study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (SWE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of SWE, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with LPS to induce the production of inflammation-related factors, which were measured by western blotting. In RAW 264.7 cells, SWE inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) without causing cell toxicity. SWE also reduced the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein, as well as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor-α). The phosphorylation levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family members, such as JNK and p38, were also reduced by SWE. Thus, SWE could be used as a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2017

This study was designed to investigate the synergetic hepatoprotective effects from a mixture of Korean Red Ginseng and Pueraria Radix on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Liver toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal administration of $CCl_4$ (0.6 mg/kg) in 12 groups of ICR mice. The negative control group was given $CCl_4$ without test samples and the normal group was given no treatment. Among treatment groups, the RGAP treatment (Korean Red ginseng acetic acid extract : Pueraria radix water extract, w/w, 38.4:57.6) decreased $CCl_4$-elevated ALT (101.60 IU/L), AST (833.89 IU/L), and LDH (365.02 IU/L) levels in the serum, and increased the SOD (11.03 unit/mg protein) and CAT (0.37 unit/mg protein) levels and the LPO levels ($59.09{\mu}M/g$ tissue) more than that in the mice group with $CCl_4$-induced control group hepatotoxicity. These results suggest that administration of a mixture of Korean Red ginseng and Pueraria radix decreases $CCl_4$-induced liver damage and enhances antioxidant activity in mice and imply that administration of the mixture in a certain ratio is more effective than single administration of either Korean Red ginseng or Pueraria radix alone.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.42-49
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of Red Ginseng-Ejung-tang Water Extract (ER) on cytokine production in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Levels of various cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-2, IL-12p70, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were measured by high-throughput multiplex bead array cytokine assay based on xMAP (multi-analyte profiling beads) technology. Results: ER significantly decreased levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-2, IL-12p70, VEGF, and MCP-1 for 24 hrs incubation at the concentrations of 25, 50, and $100{\mu}g/mL$ in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.05). But ER did not exert significant effects on production of MIP-2, KC, TNF-${\alpha}$, and GM-CSF in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that ER has an anti-inflammatory property related with its inhibition of cytokine production in LPS-induced macrophages.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.173-177
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• 2002

We examined effects of red ginseng on the formation of glycated protein in vivo and in vitro. The mixtures (1 : 1 : 1, v/v/v) with glucose (1.5 g/dl, hemoglobin (10 g/d) and red ginseng extract (0.5 g/dl) in 0.067 M phosphate saline buffer were incubated for 5 days in shaking water bath (37$\^{C}$, 70 RPM). Male rats were divided into three groups with one health and two diabetes, consisting of 20 heads in each group. Diabetic rats, induced by streptozotocin injection, were treated with or without red ginseng extract (100 mg/kg/day) for 3 months. The concentration of blood glucose and the rate of glycated hemoglobin were determined by commercial kits. The rate of glycated hemoglobin was significantly decreased by the addition of ginseng extract in comparison with non-addition group in vitro (12.17$\pm$ 1.01% vs 15.9$\pm$ 1.95%, meansd, p<0.01). Even though the levels of blood glucose in rats were not significantly different from each other, the rate of glycated hemoglobin in ginseng treated diabetic rats was $\pm$ se significantly lower than non-treated diabetic rats after 3 months (15.1$\pm$ 2.06% vs 20.1 $\pm$ 2.9%, mean$\pm$ sd, p<0.05). Additionally, the body weight was increased, drinking water volume was decreased non-significantly by the treatment of ginseng extract. These results suggest that ginseng can also inhibit the formation of glycated protein by other mechanisms which are not related with hyoglyemic effect of ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 1998

Studies were performed to determine the effect of Korean red ginseng (extract powder, spray-dried), it is made of choice 6-year-old raw ginseng roots, and processed by steaming and drying, on jejunal crypt survival, endogenous spleen colony formation, and apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells of irradiated mice. Jejunal crypts were protected by pretreatment of red ginseng (1 mg/head, single I.P. at 24hours before irradiation, p<0.05). Red ginseng administration before irradiation (1 mg/head, single I.P at 24hours before irradiation) resulted in an increase of the formation of endogenous spleen colony (p<0.05). The frequency of radiation-Induced apoptosis in intestinal crypt cells was also reduced by treatment of red ginseng both pretreatment (P.O.: 2 mg/ml of drinking water for 7 days, p<0.005, I.P.: 1 mg/head, single I.P. at 24 hours before irradiation, p<0.005) and post-treatment (1 mg/head, single I.P at 30 minutes after irradiation, p<0.05). These results indicated that Korean red ginseng might be a useful radio-protector, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product. Further studies are needed to characterize better the promotion nature of red ginseng and its fractions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 1983

Stability of nitrogen compounds in the water-extract of ginseng has been investigated in terms of concentration and SDS-PAGE protein pattern as functions of times and temperature. The concentration of free amino-nitrogen in the extract of fresh ginseng varied with time at various temperatures. Especially at temperature over 90$^{\circ}C$, it showed a tendency of steady declease at a considerably fast rate. In the case of red ginseng which had been commercially processed and stocked for 1-7 years, it was found that the free amino-N concentration diminished gradually depending on the length of stock period of samples. This result may be comparative to another observation that the amount and density distribution of precipitate from extract varied with the lapse of stock time, based on accelerated sedimentation test. The number of SDS-PAGE protein bands was observed to be at least seven when determined with the extract of fresh ginseng. However, it tended to reduce finally to be one band when the extract was kept at a rather high temperature for a long time.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.260-268
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• 2016

Background: During the aging process, skin shows visible changes, characterized by a loss of elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles due to reduced collagen production and decreased elasticity of elastin fibers. Panax ginseng Meyer has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases due to its wide range of biological activities including skin protective effects. Ginsenosides are the main components responsible for the biological activities of ginseng. However, the protective activities of an enzymatic preparation of red ginseng against human skin aging have not been investigated. Methods: The efficacy of an enzyme-treated powder complex of red ginseng (BG11001) in preventing human skin aging was evaluated by oral administration to 78 randomized individuals. All patients were requested to take three daily capsules containing either 750 mg of BG11001 or a placebo vehicle for 24 wk; at the end of the testing period, skin roughness, elasticity, and skin water content were measured. Results: BG11001 significantly reduced the average roughness of eye wrinkles and the Global Photo Damage Score compared with the placebo, although there were no significant differences in arithmetic roughness average between the groups. In addition, gross elasticity and net elasticity values increased, and transepidermal water loss level decreased, indicating improved skin elasticity and moisture content. Conclusion: In conclusion, enzyme-treated red ginseng extract significantly improved eye wrinkle roughness, skin elasticity, and moisture content. Moreover, enzyme-treated red ginseng extract would be useful substance as a bio-health skin care product.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 2009

This study investigated the quality characteristics of red ginseng extracts prepared using alkaline water. The principal extract mineral was calcium, at 61.73-180.63 mg%, and alkalinity increased as the ionization minerals concentration rose. Alkaline red ginseng extracts(AKRGEs) 3, 6, and 9 were found to have pH values of 4.9-5.0, to be of 3.03-3.43 degrees of $^{\circ}Brix$, with soluble solid contents of 2.33-2.60%(w/v). Extract 3 was brown in color, thus similar to that of(conventional) red ginseng extract(RGE). The calcium contents and alkalinity levels of AKRGE 6 and AKRGE 9 were approximately 18-29-fold and 5-11-fold higher, respectively, than those of RGE and five commercial samples of red ginseng. AKRGEs showed lower crude saponin contents than did RGE, but ginsenoside contents did not differ significantly between RGE and AKRGEs. The DPPH-assayed free-radical and superoxide radical scavenging activities of AKRGEs were 12-13% and about 20%, respectively, thus similar to those of RGE. In sensory evaluation tests, AKRGE 3 and 6 were less bitter and better in overall quality than was RGE.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.232-240
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the processing and reduction factors for ginseng and its commodities during ginseng processing to obtain information of pesticide residue in ginseng. For this study, azoxystrobin was used in two field containing 6 years old ginseng plants. Ginsengs were harvested and processed to obtain different commodities (Dried ginseng, red ginseng and ginseng water and alcohol extracts, red ginseng water and alcohol extracts) for pesticide analysis. The amount of residue levels from wonju and icheon for fresh ginseng were 0.05, $0.03\;mg\;kg^{-1}$ dried ginseng were 0.12, $0.14\;mg\;kg^{-1}$, red ginseng were both $0.05\;mg\;kg^{-1}$, ginseng alcohol extract were 0.28, $0.33\;mg\;kg^{-1}$, ginseng water extract were 0.22, $0.16\;mg\;kg^{-1}$, red ginseng alcohol extract were 0.31, $0.20\;mg\;kg^{-1}$ and red ginseng water extract were 0.09, $0.11\;mg\;kg^{-1}$ respectively. These data were under MRLs notified by KFDA. The processing factors for ginseng products were 3.25, 1.34, 7.84, 4.63, 6.15 and 2.56 respectively. The reduction factors for ginseng products were 1.19, 0.51, 3.41, 1.91, 2.74 and 1.00 respectively. These data showed increment during processing which could be due to concentration but considering water contents, residue levels were similar or decreased than the initial residue level during processing.