• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2011

The characteristics of absorption and accumulation of inorganic germanium in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer were examined. In 4-year-old P. ginseng, the germanium content of the field soil increased with increased amounts and frequencies of inorganic germanium application, while chemical components of the soil, such as available phosphate and exchangeable calcium, potassium, and magnesium, decreased with the increased inorganic germanium application. In the 4-year-old P. ginseng, the germanium content was highest in the rhizome and increased in the order of stem, leaf, lateral root, and main root, suggesting that inorganic germanium was absorbed from the root and translocated to the stem and leaf via the rhizome. As for changes in ginsenosides in 4-year-old P. ginseng rhizomes, the contents of ginsenosides $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Re, and Rf decreased as the germanium content in soil increased. Ginsenosides $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Re, and Rf in the main root also decreased with increasing germanium content in the main root. The results suggest that inorganic germanium treatment may increase organic germanium in harvested P. ginseng, thus enhancing the medicinal effi cacy of ginseng products.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2005

Panax ginseng is one of the most important medicinal plants in the world. The international trade of ginseng is increasing yearly. The disguise of Chinese and American ginseng into Korean ginseng became a problem in recent years in abroad and Korea. An effective method to authenticate the Korean Panax ginseng from others at a DNA level is necessary for the healthy development of the ginseng market. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was applied to develop a method for the identification of Korean ginseng between Chinese ginseng and American ginseng. It is very difficult to detect the different polymorphic bands among Korean field cultivated ginseng, and between field and wild-cultivated ginseng. The genetic distance coefficient by AFLP analysis between field- and wild cultivated Korean ginseng was very low, 0.056. Whereas, polymorphic bands between Korean and Chinese wild-cultivated ginseng was significantly different. The genetic distance coefficient between wild-cultivated Korean and Chinese ginseng was 0.149. The genetic distance coefficients between the P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius were ranging from 0.626 to 0.666. These results support that the AFLP analysis could be applied to authenticate Korean P. ginseng from others Chinese P. ginseng and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius).

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.22 no.6 s.96
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• pp.855-863
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic information on the functional cookies with pumpkin and ginseng powder. Pumpkin cookies with ginseng powder were prepared at various additions adding (0 g, 3 g, 6 g, 9 g). With increasing As the addition of ginseng powder additionincreased, there were significant decrease in the water contents and crude protein were significantly decreased (p<0.05). The spread factor and Hunter color's L, a, and b values in th dough and cookies were significantly decreased with increasing as the addition level of ginseng powder content was increased(p<0.05). Hardness measured using rheometer and onset, peak, and closing temperatures and gelatinization enthalpy using DSC showed significantly the higher values with increasing more additions of ginseng powder content. In sensory evaluation, surface cracking, and pumpkin flavor were decreased with lower levels of ginseng powder. Ginseng flavor and hardness were increased with lower levels of ginseng powder Overall desirability of cookies with addition of 3 g added ginseng powder was the highest of the four samplesproduction. Surface crakcracking washadhighly positively correlated with spread factor, a (redness) (p<0.01)and but negatively correlated with carbohydrate content (p<0.05). Ginseng aroma showed negative correlation to the water contents, crude protein, spread factor, and Hunter's a (redness) and b (yellowness) values (p<0.05).

• 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.46 no.2
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• pp.248-254
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• 2022

Background: Zinc homeostasis is essential for human health and is regulated by several zinc transporters including ZIP and ZnT. ZIP4 is expressed in the small intestine and is important for zinc absorption from the diet. We investigated in the present study the effects of Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) extract on modulating Zip4 expression and cellular zinc levels in mouse Hepa cells. Methods: Hepa cells were transfected with a luciferase reporter plasmid that contains metal-responsive elements, incubated with P. ginseng extract, and luciferase activity was measured. Using ⁶⁵ZnCl₂, zinc uptake in P. ginseng-treated cells was measured. The expression of Zip4 mRNA and protein in Hepa cells was also investigated. Finally, using a luciferase reporter assay system, the effects of several ginsenosides were monitored. Results: The luciferase activity in cells incubated with P. ginseng extract was significantly higher than that of control cells cultured in normal medium. Hepa cells treated with P. ginseng extract exhibited higher zinc uptake. P. ginseng extract induced Zip4 mRNA expression, which resulted in an enhancement of Zip4 protein expression. Furthermore, some ginsenosides, such as ginsenoside Rc and Re, enhanced luciferase activity driven by intracellular zinc levels. Conclusion: P. ginseng extract induced Zip4 expression at the mRNA and protein level and resulted in higher zinc uptake in Hepa cells. Some ginsenosides facilitated zinc influx. On the basis of these results, we suggest a novel effect of P. ginseng on Zip4-mediated zinc influx, which may provide a new strategy for preventing zinc deficiency.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.883-887
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to develop a new preparation process for chemical transformation of ginseng saponin glycosides to prosapogenins. Ginseng and ginseng extracts were processed under several treatment conditions using ascorbic acid solution. Treating with ascorbic acid at pH 2-3 and above $80^{\circ}C$ increased the ginsenoside $Rg_3$ content of samples to over 3% as compared to other pH levels and temperatures. In addition, ginseng and ginseng extracts that were processed under a high ascorbic acid solution treatment condition (pH 2.0, 5 hr) contained more ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (approximately 16 times) than those processed under a low ascorbic acid solution treatment condition (pH 3.0, 5 hr). The highest quantity of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (3.434%) occurred when a sample of fine ginseng root extract (AG2-9) was processed with the ascorbic acid solution at pH 2.0 for 9 hr. However, there was no change in the amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ when fine ginseng root extracts were processed with ascorbic acid solution at pH 2.0 for over 9 hr. In conclusion, the results indicated that ascorbic acid treatment of ginseng extracts can produce a level of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ that is over 90-fold the amount found in commercial red ginseng.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2011

Research on recognition, preference, and consumption of ginseng was conducted with the goal of enhancing the consumption of ginseng, and commercializing local ginseng dishes in Geumsan. With help from the Eulji University hospitals in Daejeon and Geumsan, a survey was completed by a group of 200 patients, including 50 diabetic and 50 hypertensive patients from each center. Results based on a patient's residence (p<0.001), and illness (p<0.001), showed that the percentage of outpatient treatments was very high at the center in Geumsan. Based on a patient's residence (p<0.001) and illness, a preference for ginseng was very high in Geumsan. Based on a patient's residence (p<0.01) and illness (p<0.05), the willingness to try new ginseng dishes was stronger at the center in Geumsan compared to the center at Daejeon. Based on residence and illness (p<0.001), hypertensive patients were more enthusiastic towards taking ginseng herbs. Based on residence (p<0.001) and illness (p<0.001), percipience concerning the effects of ginseng was more positive in Geumsan. Based on residence (p<0.001) and illness, the frequency of ginseng herb intake was higher in Geumsan. The research provides the basis for establishing changes in the perception of ginseng, providing accurate information, and promoting ginseng in local economies.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2012

Ginseng has a long history of use for health enhancement, and there is some evidence from animal studies that it has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Korean red ginseng on cognitive performance in humans. A total of 15 healthy young males with no psychiatric or cognitive problems were selected based on an interview with a board-certified psychiatrist. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 4,500 mg red ginseng or placebo for a 2-week trial. There were 8 subjects in the red ginseng group and 7 subjects in the placebo group. All of the subjects were analyzed with the Vienna test system and a P300 event-related potential (ERP) test. There were no significant differences in the Vienna test system scores between the red ginseng group and the placebo group. In the event-related potential test, the C3 latency of the red ginseng group tended to decrease during the study period (p=0.005). After 2 wk, significant decreases were observed in the P300 latencies at Cz (p=0.008), C3 (p=0.005), C4 (p=0.002), and C mean (p=0.003) in the red ginseng group. Our results suggest that the decreased latency in ERP is associated with improved cognitive function. Further studies with a higher dosage of ginseng, a larger sample size, and a longer follow-up period are necessary to confirm the clinical efficacy of Korean red ginseng.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 2004

Objective : The present experiments were designed to study on the immune-enhancing effect of Mountain grown ginseng, Mountain cultivated ginseng, and Panax ginseng Method : In order to compare the immune-enhancing effect of moutain grown ginseng, moutain cultivated ginseng and Panax ginseng, the study was done through the forced swimming test (FST), measurement of T helper Th1, Th2 cytokines and fatigue related factors. Result : Moutain grown ginseng and panax ginseng decreased the immobility time in the FST compared to the control. Glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Total-protein (T-protein) in serum were investigated. The serum achieved from ginseng administered mouse showed higher BUN, T-protein than the control. moutain grown ginseng administered group showed lower LDH than the control group. moutain grown ginseng administered mouse showed higher glucose than the control. Creatinine was same in either experimental or control group. Ginseng-induced cytokine production in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages were compared. Moutain cultivated ginseng (10-4 dilution) and panax ginseng (10-3 dilution) were increased the interferon $IFN-{\gamma}$ production compared with media control (about 1.6-fold P<0.05) at 48 h. Moutain grown ginseng (10-4 dilution) was increased the $IFN-{\gamma}$ and interleukin IL-4 production compared with media control (about l.4-fold for $IFN-{\gamma}$ and 1.6-fold for IL-4 P<0.05) at 48 h. Moutain grown ginseng (10-3 dilution) and moutain cultivated ginseng (10-4 dilution) were increased the turmor necrosis factor $TNF-{\alpha}$ production compared with $rIFN-{\gamma}$ treated cells (about 1.9-fold for $TNF-{\alpha}$ P<0.05), respectively. Moutain cultivated ginseng (10-3 dilution) was increased the IL-12 production compared with $rIFN-{\gamma}$ treated cell (about 1.7-fold for IL-12 P<0.05). Conclusion : These data suggest that three different three kinds of ginseng act on immune responses in different aspects.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.226-231
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• 2008

Ginsenosides have been regarded as the principal components responsible for the pharmacological and biological activities of ginseng. Absorption of major ginsenosides from the gastrointestinal tract is extremely low, when ginseng is orally administered. In order to improve absorption and its bioavailability, conversion of major ginsenosides into more active minor ginsenoside is very much required. Here, we isolated lactic acid bacterium (Lactobacillus brevis LH8) having ${\beta}-glucosidase$ activity from Kimchi. Bioconversion ginsenoside Rd by this bacterium in different temperatures was investigated. The maximum activities of crude enzymes precipitated by ethanol were shown in $30^{\circ}C$ and then gradually decreased. In order to compare the effect of pH, the crude enzymes of L. brevis LH8 were mixed in 20mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 3.5 to pH 8.0) and reacted ginsenoside Rd. Ginsenoside Rd was almost hydrolyzed between pH 6.0 and pH 12.0, but not hydrolyzed under pH 5.0 and above pH 13.0. Ginsenoside Rd was hydrolyzed after 48 h incubation, whereas ginsenoside F2 appeared from 48 h to 72 h, and ginsenoside Rd was almost converted into compound K after 72 h.