• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.286-292
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• 2006

In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative effects of Panax notoginseng, ginsenoside Rb1, and notoginsenoside R1 in the human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cell line. Our results indicated that both Panax notoginseng radix extract (NRE) and Panax notoginseng rhizoma extract (NRhE) possess significant antiproliferative activities in MCF-7 cells. Compared to control group (100%), at the concentrations of 0.05, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/ml NRE, cell growth was concentration-dependently reduced to 81.0 ${\pm}$ 6.1 (P < 0.01), 34.2 ${\pm}$ 4.8 (P < 0.001), and 19.3 ${\pm}$ 1.9 (P < 0.001), respectively. Similar results with NRhE at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml were obtained in these MCF-7 cells. To identify the responsible chemical constituent, we tested the antiproliferation effects of two representative saponins, ginsenoside Rb1 and notoginsenoside R1, on the MCF-7 cells. The data showed that ginsenoside Rb1 was endowed with antiproliferative properties, while notoginsenoside R1 did not have an inhibitory effect in the concentrations tested. Our studies provided evidence that Panax notoginseng extracts and ginsenoside Rb1 may be beneficial, as adjuvants, in the treatment of human breast carcinoma.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.447-457
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• 2022

Notoginsenoside R1 and ginsenoside Rg1 are the main active ingredients of Panax notoginseng, exhibiting anti-fatigue, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and other activities. In a previous study, a GH39 β-xylosidase Xln-DT was responsible for the bioconversion of saponin, a natural active substance with a xylose group, with high selectivity for cleaving the outer xylose moiety of notoginsenoside R1 at the C-6 position, producing ginsenoside Rg1 with potent anti-fatigue activity. The optimal bioconversion temperature, pH, and enzyme dosage were obtained by optimizing the transformation conditions. Under optimal conditions (pH 6.0, 75℃, enzyme dosage 1.0 U/ml), 1.0 g/l of notoginsenoside R1 was converted into 0.86 g/l of ginsenoside Rg1 within 30 min, with a molar conversion rate of approximately 100%. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-fatigue activity of notoginsenoside R1 and ginsenoside Rg1 were compared using a suitable rat model. Compared with the control group, the forced swimming time to exhaustion was prolonged in mice by 17.3% in the Rg1 high group (20 mg/kg·d). Additionally, the levels of hepatic glycogen (69.9-83.3% increase) and muscle glycogen (36.9-93.6% increase) were increased. In the Rg1 group, hemoglobin levels were also distinctly increased by treatment concentrations. Our findings indicate that treatment with ginsenoside Rg1 enhances the anti-fatigue effects. In this study, we reveal a GH39 β-xylosidase displaying excellent hydrolytic activity to produce ginsenoside Rg1 in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.270-276
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• 2018

Background: Notoginsenoside Ft1 is a promising potential candidate for cardiovascular and cancer disease therapy owing to its positive pharmacological activities. However, the yield of Ft1 is ultralow utilizing reported methods. Herein, an acid hydrolyzing strategy was implemented in the acquirement of rare notoginsenoside Ft1. Methods: Chemical profiles were identified by ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadruple-time-of-flight and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-ESI-MS). The acid hydrolyzing dynamic changes of chemical compositions and the possible transformation pathways of saponins were monitored by ultrahigh-performance LC coupled with tandem MS (UHPLC-MS/ MS). Results and conclusion: Notoginsenoside Ft1 was epimerized from notoginsenoside ST4, which was generated through cleaving the carbohydrate side chains at C-20 of notoginsenosides Fa and Fc, and vinaginsenoside R7, and further converted to other compounds via hydroxylation at C-25 or hydrolysis of the carbohydrate side chains at C-3 under the acid conditions. High temperature contributed to the hydroxylation reaction at C-25 and 25% acetic acid concentration was conducive to the preparation of notoginsenoside Ft1. C-20 epimers of notoginsenoside Ft1 and ST4 were successfully separated utilizing solvent method of acetic acid solution. The theoretical preparation yield rate of notoginsenoside Ft1 was about 1.8%, which would be beneficial to further study on its bioactivities and clinical application.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.673-679
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• 2020

Background: Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) is the extraction from the roots and rhizomes of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen. PNS is the main bioactive component of Xuesaitong, Xueshuantong, and other Chinese patent medicines, which are all bestselling prescriptions in China to treat cardiocerebrovascular diseases. Notoginsenoside R₁ and ginsenoside Rg₁, Rd, Re, and Rb₁ are the principal effective constituents of PNS, but a systematic research on the rare saponin compositions has not been conducted. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic chemical study on PNS and establish the HPLC fingerprint of PNS to provide scientific evidence in quality control. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the new compounds was tested. Methods: Pure saponins from PNS were isolated by means of many chromatographic methods, and their structures were determined by extensive analyses of NMR and HR-ESI-MS studies. The fingerprint was established by HPLC-UV method. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 -diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Results and Conclusion: Three new triterpenoid saponins (1-3) together with 25 known rare saponins (4-28) were isolated from PNS, except for the five main compounds (notoginsenoside R1 and ginsenoside Rg1, Rd, Re, and Rb1). In addition, the HPLC fingerprint of PNS was established, and the peaks of the isolated compounds were marked. The study of chemical constituents and fingerprint was useful for the quality control of PNS. The study on antitumor activities showed that new Compound 2 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against the tested cell lines.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 2015

The root of Panax ginseng, is a Korea traditional medicine, which is used in both raw and processed forms due to their different pharmacological activities. As part of a continued chemical investigation of ginseng, the focus of this research is on the isolation and identification of compounds from Panax ginseng root by open column chromatography, medium pressure liquid chromatography, semi-preparative-high performance liquid chromatography, Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from Panax ginseng root by open column chromatography, medium pressure liquid chromatography, and semi-preparative-high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified as protopanaxadiol ginsenosides [gypenoside-V (1), ginsenosides-Rb1 (2), -Rb2 (3), -Rb3 (4), -Rc (5), and -Rd (6)], protopanaxatriol ginsenosides [20(S)-notoginsenoside-R2 (7), notoginsenoside-Rt (8), 20(S)-O-glucoginsenoside-Rf (9), 6-O-[$\alpha$-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1$\rightarrow$2-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl-$3\beta$,$12\beta$, 20(S)-dihydroxy-dammar-25-en-24-one (10), majoroside-F6 (11), pseudoginsenoside-Rt3 (12), ginsenosides-Re (13), -Re5 (14), -Rf (15), -Rg1 (16), -Rg2 (17), and -Rh1 (18), and vinaginsenoside-R15 (19)], and oleanene ginsenosides [calenduloside-B (20) and ginsenoside-Ro (21)] through the interpretation of spectroscopic analysis. The configuration of the sugar linkages in each saponin was established on the basic of chemical and spectroscopic data. Among them, compounds 1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 19, and 20 were isolated for the first time from P. ginseng root.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2018

Background: Panax notoginseng leaves (PNL) exhibit extensive activities, but few analytical methods have been established to exclusively determine the dammarane triterpene saponins in PNL. Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) and HPLC-UV methods were developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of ginsenosides in PNL, respectively. Results: Extraction conditions, including solvents and extraction methods, were optimized, which showed that ginsenosides Rc and Rb3, the main components of PNL, are transformed to notoginsenosides Fe and Fd, respectively, in the presence of water, by removing a glucose residue from position C-3 via possible enzymatic hydrolysis. A total of 57 saponins were identified in the methanolic extract of PNL by UPLC/Q-TOF MS. Among them, 19 components were unambiguously characterized by their reference substances. Additionally, seven saponins of PNL-ginsenosides Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rb3, and notoginsenosides Fc, Fe, and Fd-were quantified using the HPLC-UV method after extraction with methanol. The separation of analytes, particularly the separation of notoginsenoside Fc and ginsenoside Rc, was achieved on a Zorbax ODS C8 column at a temperature of $35^{\circ}C$. This developed HPLC-UV method provides an adequate linearity ($r^2$ > 0.999), repeatability (relative standard deviation, RSD < 2.98%), and inter- and intraday variations (RSD < 4.40%) with recovery (98.7-106.1%) of seven saponins concerned. This validated method was also conducted to determine seven components in 10 batches of PNL. Conclusion: These findings are beneficial to the quality control of PNL and its relevant products.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2022

Objective : This study aims to investigate the active ingredients and potential mechanisms of the beneficial herb on human cancers such as the liver by employing network pharmacology. Methods : Ingredients and their target information was obtained from various databases such as TM-MC, TTD, and Drugbank. Related protein for liver cancer was retrieved from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database and literature. A hypergeometric test and gene set enrichment analysis were conducted to evaluate associations between protein targets of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) and liver cancer-related proteins and identify related signaling pathways, respectively. Network proximity was employed to identify active ingredients of red ginseng on liver cancer. Results : A compound-target network of red ginseng was constructed, which consisted of 363 edges between 53 ingredients and 121 protein targets. MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, and cell cycle pathway was significantly associated with protein targets of red ginseng. Network proximity results indicated that Ginsenoside Rg1, Acetic Acid, Ginsenoside Rh2, 20(R)-Ginsenoside Rg3, Notoginsenoside R1, Ginsenoside Rk1, 2-Methylfuran, Hexanal, Ginsenoside Rd, Ginsenoside Rh1 could be active ingredients of red ginseng against liver cancer. Conclusion : This study suggests that network-based approaches could be useful to explore potential mechanisms and active ingredients of red ginseng for liver cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.457-467
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• 2013

A quick and simple method for simultaneous determination of the 30 ginsenosides (ginsenoside Ro, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, 20(S)-Rg2, 20(R)-Rg2, 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, 20(S)-Rh1, 20(S)-Rh2, 20(R)-Rh2, F1, F2, F4, Ra1, Rg6, Rh4, Rk3, Rg5, Rk1, Rb3, Rk2, Rh3, compound Y, compound K, and notoginsenoside R1) in Panax ginseng preparations was developed and validated by an ultra performance liquid chromatography photo diode array detector. The separation of the 30 ginsenosides was efficiently undertaken on the Acquity BEH C-18 column with gradient elution with phosphoric acids. Especially the chromatogram of the ginsenoside Ro was dramatically enhanced by adding phosphoric acid. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits were 0.4 to 1.7 mg/L and the calibration curves of the peak areas for the 30 ginsenosides were linear over three orders of magnitude with a correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The accuracy of the method was tested by a recovery measurement of the spiked samples which yielded good results of 89% to 118%. From these overall results, the proposed method may be helpful in the development and quality of P. ginseng preparations because of its wide range of applications due to the simultaneous analysis of many kinds of ginsenosides.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.711-721
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• 2022

The immune system is one of the most important parts of the human body and immunomodulation is the major function of the immune system. In response to outside pathogens or high inflammation, the immune system is stimulated or suppressed. Thus, identifying effective and potent immunostimulants or immunosuppressants is critical. Ginsenosides are a type of steroid saponin derived from ginseng. Most are harmless to the body and even have tonic effects. In this review, we mainly focus on the immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive roles of two types ginsenosides: the protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type and protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type. PPT-type ginsenosides include Rg1, Rg2, Rh4, Re and notoginsenoside R1, and PPD-type ginsenosides include Rg3, Rh2, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, compound K (CK) and PPD, which activate the immune responses. In addition, Rg1 and Rg6 belong to PPT-type ginsenosides and together with Rg3, Rb1, Rd, CK show immunosuppressive properties. Current explorations of ginsenosides in immunological areas are in the preliminary stages. Therefore, this review may provide some novel ideas to researchers who study the immunoregulatory roles of ginsenosides.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.385-393
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• 2019

Background: The root and rhizome are historically and officially utilized medicinal parts of Panax notoginseng (PN) (Burk.) F. H. Chen, which in raw and steamed forms are used differently in practice. Methods: To investigate the differences in chemical composition and bioactivities of PN root and rhizome between raw and steamed forms, high-performance liquid chromatography analyses and pharmacologic effects evaluated by tests of anticoagulation, antioxidation, hemostasis, antiinflammation, and hematopoiesis were combined. Results: With the duration of steaming time, the contents of ginsenosides $Rg_1$, Re, $Rb_1$, Rd, and notoginsenoside $R_1$ in PN were decreased, while those of ginsenosides $Rh_1$, $20(S)-Rg_3$, $20(R)-Rg_3$, $Rh_4$, and $Rk_3$ were increased gradually. Raw PN samples steamed for 6 h at $120^{\circ}C$ with stable levels of most constituents were used for the subsequent study of bioeffects. Raw PN showed better hemostasis, anticoagulation, and antiinflammation effects, while steamed PN exhibited stronger antioxidation and hematopoiesis activities. For different parts of PN, contents of saponins in PN rhizome were generally higher than those in the root, which could be related to the stronger bioactivities of rhizome compared with the same form of PN root. Conclusion: This study provides basic information about the chemical and bioactive comparison of PN root and rhizome in both raw and steamed forms, indicating that the change of saponins may have a key role in different properties of raw and steamed PN.