• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.310-320
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• 2017

Ginseng has been widely used for traditional medicine in eastern Asia and is known to have inhibitory effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. Because, platelet is a crucial mediator of CVD, many studies are focusing on inhibitory mechanism of platelet functions. Among platelet activating molecules, thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) and P-selectin play a central role in CVD. $TXA_2$ leads to intracellular signaling cascades and P-selectin plays an important role in platelet-neutrophil and platelet-monocyte interactions leading to the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory mechanisms of total saponin fraction from Korean red ginseng (KRG-TS) on $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression. Thrombin-elevated $TXA_2$ production and arachidonic acid release were decreased by KRG-TS dose (25 to $150{\mu}g/mL$)-dependently via down regulation of microsomal cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), $TXA_2$ synthase (TXAS) activity and dephosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$). In addition, KRG-TS suppressed thrombin-activated P-selectin expression, an indicator of granule release via dephosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Taken together, we revealed that KRG-TS is a beneficial novel compound inhibiting $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression, which may prevent platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.941-948
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• 2023

Metabolites from medicinal plants continue to hold significant value in the exploration and advancement of novel pharmaceuticals. In the search for plants containing compounds with anti-inflammatory effects, we observed that the ethanol (EtOH) extract obtained from the aerial components of Gouania leptostachya DC. var. tonkinensis Pit. exhibited substantial suppression of nitric oxide (NO) in vitro. In a phytochemical study on an EtOH extract of G. leptostachya, 11 compounds were purified, including one unreported compound namely gouanioside A (1). Their chemical structures were unambiguously determined through the use of various spectroscopic techniques, such as 1 and 2D NMR, IR, and HR-ESI-MS, and by producing derivatives via chemical reactions. The EtOH extract, fractions, and a new compound exerted inflammatory effects by altering NO synthesis in murine RAW264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The underlying inflammatory mechanism of the new compound 1 was also explored through various in vitro experiments. The results of this study indicate the potential usefulness of new compound 1 from G. leptostachya as a treatment for inflammatory diseases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.295-299
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• 1989

Two novel steroidal saponins designated as spicatosides A(1) and B(2) were isolated from the tubers of Liriope spicata and their structures were elucidated as 25(S)-rus-cogenin -1-0- fJ - D-glucopyranosyl (1$\rightarrow$2)- [$\beta$ - D-xylopyranosyl (1$\rightarrow$3)] -$\beta$- D- fucopyranoside (1) and 26-0-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyI25(S)-22-0-methyl-furost-5-en-l$\beta$, 3$\beta$, 26-trioll-0-fJ -D¬glucopyranosyl (1$\rightarrow$2)- [$\beta$- D-xylopyranosyl (1$\rightarrow$3)] - $\beta$- D- fucopyranoside (2), respectively.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.281-284
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• 2014

In this study, twenty-one oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from a methanol extract of the roots of Pulsatilla koreana. Antagonistic activities were measured in these compounds by the aequorin based cellular functional assay system for the corticotropin releasing factor receptor (CRF1). Of them, compounds 7 - 10 showed the highest degree of CRF1 inhibition further at the concentration of $10{\mu}M$. Moreover, by the analysis based on the structure-activity relationship of isolated saponins, a sugar chain at C-3 and a carboxyl group at C-28, as well as a methyl group at C-23 seems to be key functional elements. To our knowledge, this is the first report on CRF1 inhibition of saponins from P. koreana.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.1159-1164
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• 2010

Several triterpenoid saponins from root of Pulsatilla koreana Nakai (Ranunculaceae) were studied and their biological activities were reported. It is difficult to analyze triterpenoid saponins using HPLC-UV due to the lack of chromophores. So, evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) is used as a valuable alternative to UV detection. More recently, a charged aerosol detection (CAD) has been developed to improve the sensitivity and reproducibility of ELSD. In this study, we developed and validated a novel method of high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a charged aerosol detector for the simultaneous determination of four triterpenoid saponins: pulsatilloside E, pulsatilla saponin H, anemoside B4 and cussosaponin C. Analytes were separated by the Supelco Ascentis$^{(R)}$ Express C18 column (4.6 mm ${\times}$ 150 mm, 2.7 ${\mu}m$) with gradient elution of methanol and water at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min at $30^{\circ}C$. We examined various factors that could affect the sensitivity of the detectors, including various concentrations of additives, the pH of the mobile phase, and the CAD range. Linear calibration curves were obtained within the concentration ranges of 2 - 200 ${\mu}g$/mL for pulsatilloside E, anemoside $B_4$ and cussosaponin C, and 5 - 500 ${\mu}g$/mL for pulsatilla saponin H with correlation coefficient ($R^2$) greater than 0.995. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.04 - 0.2 and 2 - 5 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively. The validity of the developed HPLC-CAD method was confirmed by satisfactory values of linearity, intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision. This method could be successfully applied to quality evaluation, quality control and monitoring of Pulsatilla koreana.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.385-391
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• 2004

The purpose of the present study was to formulate the aqueous solution of $20-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol\;(IH-901)$, an intestinal bacterial metabolic derivative from Ginseng protopanaxadiol saponin. For this purpose, the effects of various solubilization agents such as cosolvents [ethanol, propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol 300 (PEG 300), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), glycerin], surfactants $(Tween\;80,\;Cremophor^{\circledR}\;RH40,\;Cremophor^{\circledR}\;EL,\;Poloxamer\;407,\;Poloxamer\;188)$ and a complexation agent $[hydroxypropyl-{\beta}-cyclodextrin\;(HPBCD)]$, on the solubility of IH-90l in aqueous solution were evaluated. The solubility of IH-901 in water was under $1\;{\mu}g/ml\;at\;20^{\circ}C$. Cosolvents such as ethanol, PG, PEG 300, PEG 400 and glycerin did not enhance the solubility of IH-901 at the 0 - 40% concentration range. The solubility of IH-901 was significantly elevated by the addition of cosolvents over the 80% concentration range. On the other hand, tween 80, $Cremophor^{\circledR}\;EL,\;Cremophor^{\circledR}\;RH40$ and HPBCD showed enhanced effects on the solubility of IH-901. The enhanced effects of Poloxamer 407 or Poloxamer 188 on the IH-901 solubility were less pronounced compared with $Cremophor^{\circledR}\;EL\;or\;Cremophor^{\circledR}\;RH40$. As a results, $Cremophor^{\circledR}$ aqueous solution was selected as an optimum solvent system. The aqueous solutions containing 10% $Cremophor^{\circledR}\;EL$ and 7% $Cremophor^{\circledR}\;RH40$ were formulated as dosing solutions containing 5.0 mg/ml of IH-901 for its intravenous and oral administration, respectively. The formular showed physical stability after stored for 7 days at $4^{\circ}C$.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2021

We aimed to compare the content of ginsenosides and the pharmacokinetics after the oral administration of four different ginseng products at a dose of 1 g/kg in rats. The four different ginseng products were fresh ginseng extract, red ginseng extract, white ginseng extract, and saponin enriched white ginseng extract prepared from the radix of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. The ginsenoside concentrations in the ginseng product and the rat plasma samples were determined using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Eight or nine ginsenosides of the 15 tested ginsenosides were detected; however, the content and total ginsenosides varied depending on the preparation method. Moreover, the content of triglycosylated ginsenosides was higher than that of diglycosylated ginsenosides, and deglycosylated ginsenosides were not present in any preparation. After the single oral administrations of four different ginseng products in rats, only four ginsenosides, such as 20(S)-ginsenosides Rb1 (GRb1), GRb2, GRc, and GRd, were detected in the rat plasma samples among the 15 ginsenosides tested. The plasma concentrations of GRb1, GRb2, GRc, and GRd were different depends on the preparation method but pharmacokinetic features of the four ginseng products were similar. In conclusion, a good correlation between the area under the concentration curve and the content of GRb1, GRb2, and GRc, but not GRd, in the ginseng products was identified and it might be the result of their higher content and intestinal biotransformation of the ginseng product.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.76-85
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• 2016

Background: Binding of adhesive proteins (i.e., fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin) to platelet integrin glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$) by various agonists (thrombin, collagen, adenosine diphosphate) involve in strength of thrombus. This study was carried out to evaluate the antiplatelet effect of total saponin from Korean Red Ginseng (KRG-TS) by investigating whether KRG-TS inhibits thrombin-induced binding of fibrinogen and fibronectin to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$. Methods: We investigated the effect of KRG-TS on phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and dephosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt, affecting binding of fibrinogen and fibronectin to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$, and clot retraction. Results: KRG-TS had an antiplatelet effect by inhibiting the binding of fibrinogen and fibronectin to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$ via phosphorylation of VASP ($Ser^{157}$), and dephosphorylation of PI3K and Akt on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Moreover, A-kinase inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cyclic adenosine monophosphates (cAMPs) reduced KRG-TS-increased VASP ($Ser^{157}$) phosphorylation, and increased KRG-TS-inhibited fibrinogen-, and fibronectin-binding to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$. These findings indicate that KRG-TS interferes with the binding of fibrinogen and fibronectin to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$ via cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of VASP ($Ser^{157}$). In addition, KRG-TS decreased the rate of clot retraction, reflecting inhibition of ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$ activation. In this study, we clarified ginsenoside Ro (G-Ro) in KRG-TS inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation via both inhibition of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization and increase of cAMP production. Conclusion: These results strongly indicate that KRG-TS is a beneficial herbal substance inhibiting fibrinogen-, and fibronectin-binding to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$, and clot retraction, and may prevent platelet ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$-mediated thrombotic disease. In addition, we demonstrate that G-Ro is a novel compound with antiplatelet characteristics of KRG-TS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.490-495
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rk1, a saponin component isolated from heat-processed Panax ginseng Meyer, has been implicated in the regulation of antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Although our previous studies have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 significantly attenuated the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in hippocampal neurons, the effects of ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1, which are derived from heat-mediated dehydration of ginsenoside Rg3, on neuronal NMDARs have not yet been elucidated. Methods: We examined the regulation of NMDARs by ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons using fura-2-based calcium imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Results: The results from our investigation showed that ginsenosides Rg3 and Rg5 inhibited NMDARs with similar potencies. However, ginsenoside Rk1 inhibited NMDARs most effectively among the five compounds (Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rg5/Rk1 mixture, and protopanaxadiol) tested in cultured hippocampal neurons. Its inhibition is independent of the NMDA- and glycine-binding sites, and its action seems to involve in an interaction with the polyamine-binding site of the NMDAR channel complex. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that ginsenoside Rk1 might be a novel component contributable to the development of ginseng-based therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.539-545
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• 2021

Background: Red ginseng polysaccharides (RGPs) have been acknowledged for their outstanding immunomodulation and anti-tumor activities. However, their studies are still limited by the complexity of their structural features, the absence of purification and enrichment methods, and the rarity of the analytical instruments that apply to the analysis of such macromolecules. Thus, this study is an attempt to establish a new mass spectrometry (MS)-based analysis procedure for RGPs. Methods: Saponin pre-excluded powder of RG (RG-SPEP, 10 mg) was treated with 200 µL of distilled water and centrifuged for 5 h at 1000 rpm and 85 ℃. Ethanol-based precipitation and centrifugation were applied to obtain RGPs from the heated extracts. Further, endo-carbohydrase treatments were performed to produce specific saccharide fragments. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) processes were implemented to purify and enrich the enzyme-treated RGPs, while matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) MS was employed for the partial structural analysis of the obtained RGPs. Results: Utilizing cellulase, porous graphitized carbon (PGC), hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, the neutral and acidic RGPs were qualitatively analyzed. Hex_n and Hex_n-18 (cellulose analogs) were determined to be novel neutral RGPs. Additionally, the [Unknown + Hex_n] species were also determined as new acidic RGPs. Furthermore, HexA_n (H) was determined as another form of the acidic RGPs. Conclusion: Compared to the previous methods of analysis, these unprecedented applications of HILIC-SPE and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS to analyze RGPs proved to be fairly effective for fractionating and detecting neutral and acidic components. This new procedure exhibits great potential as a specific tool for searching and determining various polysaccharides in many herbal medicines.