• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.840-847
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• 2023

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), a member of the Araliaceae family, is known as a traditional medicinal plant to have a wide range of health properties. Polysaccharides constitute a major component of Korean ginseng, and its berries exhibit immune-modulating properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immune effects of crude polysaccharide (GBPC) extracted from Korean ginseng berry on peritoneal macrophages in mice with cyclophosphamide (CY)- induced immunosuppression. BALB/c mice were divided into eight groups: normal control, normal control + CY, levamisole + CY, ginseng + CY, and four concentrations of 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg BW/day of GBPC + CY. Mice were orally administered with samples for 10 days. Immunosuppression was established by treating mice with CY (80 mg/kg BW/day) through intraperitoneal injection on days 4 to 6. The immune function of peritoneal macrophages was then evaluated. Oral administration of 500 mg/kg BW/day GBPC resulted in proliferation, NO production, and phagocytosis at 100%, 88%, and 91%, respectively, close to the levels of the normal group (100%) of peritoneal macrophages. In CY-treated mice, GBPC of 50-500 mg/kg BW/day also dose-dependently stimulated the proliferation, NO production, and phagocytosis at 56-100%, 47-88%, and 53-91%, respectively, with expression levels of immune-associated genes, such as iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, of about 0.32 to 2.87-fold, compared to those in the CY group. GBPC could be a potential immunomodulatory material to control peritoneal macrophages under an immunosuppressive condition.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1980.09a
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• pp.151-170
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• 1980

Physiological response of Panax ginseng var. atropurpureacaulo (purple stem variety, Pg) to light was reviewed through old literatures and recent experiments. Canopy structure, growth, pigment, leaf anatomy, disease occurence, transpiration, photosynthesis (PS), leaf saponin, photoperiodism and nutrient uptake were concerned. P. ginseng var. xanthocarpus (yellow berry variety, Px) and Panax quinquefolius(Pq) were compared with Pg if possible. Compensation point(Cp) increased with increase of light and ranged from 110 to 150 at $20^{\circ}C$ but from 140 to 220 at $30^{\circ}C$ with 4 to 15 Klux indicating occurence of light and temperature-dependent high photorespiration. Characteristics of Korea ginseng to hate high temperature was well accordance with an observation 2000 years ago. Korea ginseng showed lower Cp and appeared to be more tolerant to high light intensity and temperature than American sheng although the latter showed greater PS, stomata frequency and conductance, chlorophyll and carotenoids. Px showed lower PS than Pg probably due to higher Cp. Total leaf saponin was higher in leaves grown under high light. Ratio or diol saponin and triol saponin(PT/PD) decreased with increase of light intensity during growing mainly due to decrease of ginsenoside $Rg_1$ but increase of ginsenoside Rd. Leaves of Pg and Px had $Rg_1$ but no $Rb_3$ which was only found as much as $20\%$ of total in Pq leaves, and decreased with increase of light intensity. Re increased in Pg and Px but decreased in Pq with increase of light. PT/PD in leaf ranged 1.0-1.5 in Pg and Px but around 0.5 in Pq. Korea ginseng has Yang characteristics(tolerant to high light and temperature), cultured under Eum(shade) condition and long been used for Yang efficacy (to build up energy) while Pq was quite contrary. Traditional low light $intensity(3-8\%)$ for Korea ginseng culture appeared to be strongly related to historical unique quality. Effect of light quality and photoperiodism was not well known. Experiences are long but scientific knowledge is short for production and quality assessment of ginseng. Recent scientific knowledge of ginseng should learn wisdom from old experiences.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.94-104
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is an important medicinal herbs in Asia. However, ginseng varieties are less developed. Method: To developed ginseng varieties, a pure line selection method was applied in this study. Results: Gumpoong was testing of 4-yr-old specimens in 2002, the proportions of the below-ground roots that were rusty colored for Gumpoong was 1.29 in Daejeon and 1.45 in Eumseong, whereas the proportions for its yellow berry variant were 2.60 and 2.45 in the two regions, respectively. Thus the Gumpoong was resistant to root rust. Sunpoong has a high yielding property. Its average root weight is 70.6 g for 6-yr-old roots. Its yield is 2.9 kg/$1.62m^2$ and the rate of heaven- and earth-grade product is 20.9%, which is very high compared to 9.4% for Yunpoong. Sunone is resistance to root rot and the survival rate of 4-yr-old roots was 44.4% in 1997, whereas that of the violet-stem variant landrace was 21.7%. Sunhyang has content of arginyl-fructosyl-glucose (AFG), which produces the unique scent of red ginseng, is $95.1{\mu}mol/g$ and greater than the $30.8{\mu}mol/g$ of Chunpoong in 6-yr-old plants. Sunun and Cheongsun are being nurtured to protect genetic resources. Conclusion: Developed ginsneg varieties will be used as the basis for the protection of genetic resources and breeding.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.158-163
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effects of 40% ethanol extract of Red Ginseng (RGE) on the productions of inflammatory proteins in Antigen I/II (Ag I/II)-N, a recombinant protein isolated from Streptococcus mutans -stimulated in RAW 264.7 cells. RGE inhibited the expression of Ag I/II-N-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, both mRNA and protein synthesis levels, without any cytotoxic effects. Moreover, RGE significantly inhibited Ag I/II-N induced NF-κB translocation into the nucleus by preventing the degradation of inhibitor κB-α. In conclusion, RGE down regulates the expression of pro-inflammatory genes involved in the synthesis of NO and iNOS in Ag I/II-N-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by suppressing NF-κB activity.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.467-476
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• 2002

A large number of individual ginseng plants have been selected in the farmer's fields to develop new ginseng varieties with desirable traits since 1970s. Among them, Hwangsukjong with green stem and yellow berry was selected as a ginseng germplasm. The phenotype of Hwangsukjong is quite different from Jakyungjong that has violet stem and red berry and has been cultivated in most of ginseng fields. Therefore, Hwangsukjong was crossed with Jakyungjong to clarify the inheritance of stem color and then the characteristics of $F_1\;and\;F_2$ hybrids were investigated. $F_1$ hybrid plants were similar to Jakyungjong in most of aerial part characters and showed hybrid vigor in fresh weight of root and weight of 100 seeds. In $F_2$ generation, the stem color was segregated in a ratio of 3 violet to 1 green. From this result, it was elucidated that violet color was controlled by single dominant gene. In another experiment, DNA was extracted from parents (Jakyungjong and Hwangsukjong) and $F_1$ hybrid. For each primer evaluated, multiple band profile was produced comprising from one to five major bands plus a varying number of minor bands and amplified bands were detected among most primers. In case of UBC primer number 13, 17, 30, 31, and 43, band patterns of parents and $F_1$ hybrid were very similar, but the others were not. Especially, in {\sharp}1$, {\sharp}4$, and {\sharp}33$, specific band was produced in Hwangsukjong and $F_1$ hybrid while in {\sharp}6$, another specific band was produced in Jakyungjong and $F_1$ hybrid. Therefore, $F_1$ hybrid had all specific bands at these primers. So, these selective markers could be used for identification of characteristics of $F_2$ hybrids

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.2011-2015
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• 2015

Ginsenoside Rb2 (Gin-Rb2) was purified from the fruit extract of Panax ginseng. Its chemical structure was measured by spectroscopic analysis, including HR-FAB-MS, ¹H-NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Gin-Rb2 decreased potent melanogenesis in melan-a cells, with 23.4% at 80 μM without cytotoxicity. Gin-Rb2 also decreased tyrosinase and MITF protein expression in melan-a cells. Furthermore, Gin-Rb2 presented inhibition of the body pigmentation in the zebrafish in vivo system and reduced melanin contents and tyrosinase activity. These results show that Gin-Rb2 isolated from P. ginseng may be an effective skin-whitening agent via the in vitro and in vivo systems.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.291-296
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• 1990

Various rates of 2,4-D were sprayed on 2 and 3 year old ginseng plants as foliar spray to define the critical concentration. No apparent plant injury was noticable for those ginseng plants when application concentration of 2,4-D doubled the recommended dosage (70 ml/10a). Neither abnormal foliar change occurred nor any inhibition in leaf and stem growth was resulted for the plants treated with 2,4-D concentrated two times of the recommended dosage. When the rates of 2,4-D application were increased greater than this level, injury ratings increased linearly with the rates of 2,4-D application and plant you was inhibited. Ethylene gas was not produced from the ginseng plant treated with 2 times concentrated 2,4-D, however the ginseng plants produced 0.03 to 0.09 ppm ethylene gas when the rate of application were increased 3 and 4 times, respectively. On the other hand the soybean treated with the recommended amount of 21-D produced ethylene gas of 10-20 times higher compared with ginseng plants and died. Photosynthesis ability of the ginseng leaf was significantly decreased by 2,4-D foliar application but it was recovered 4 weeks after 2,4-D foliar treatment. The herbicide 2,4-D was applicated to 2,3 and 4 years old ginseng plants as foliar spray with the rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times of the recommended dosage to define the effects of 2,4-D on the plant growth and root yield of the ginseng. There were no significant differences in the leaf and stem growth between untreated and 2,4-D treated plant. Berry maturing of 3 and 4 year old ginseng was not influenced by 2,4-D. The root weight of 4 years old ginseng plant was not reduced by application of 2,4-D concenrated 2 times of the recommended dosage, Application time of the herbicide 2,4-D had no effects on the leaf or stem growth of 2,3 and 4 year old year old ginseng plants. When the ginseng seedling was treated with 2,4-D, detrimental phenomena as stem bending and docoration of seedling leaf margin occurred, but stem bending was recovered in a few day s. Keywords Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, 2,4-D , herbicide.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.631-641
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• 2021

Background: Main bioactive constituents and pharmacological functions of ripened red ginseng berry (Panax ginseng Meyer) have been frequently reported. Yet, the research gap targeting the beneficial activities of transformed green ginseng berries has not reported elsewhere. Methods: Ginsenosides of new green berry cultivar K-1 (GK-1) were identified by HPLC-QTOF/MS. Ginsenosides bioconversion in GK-1 by bgp1 enzyme was confirmed with HPLC and TLC. Then, mechanisms of GK-1 and β-glucosidase (bgp1) biotransformed GK-1 (BGK-1) were determined by Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western blot. Results: GK-1 possesses highest ginsenosides especially ginsenoside-Re amongst seven ginseng cultivars including (Chunpoong, Huangsuk, Kumpoong, K-1, Honkaejong, Gopoong, and Yunpoong). Ginseng root's biomass is not affected with the harvest of GK-1 at 3 weeks after flowering period. Then, Re is bioconverted into a promising pharmaceutical effect of Rg2 via bgp1. According to the results of cell assays, BGK-1 shows decrease of tyrosinase and melanin content in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone challenged-murine melanoma B16 cells. BGK-1 which is comparatively more effective than GK-1 extract shows significant suppression of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and inflammatory target genes, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion: These results reported effective whitening and anti-inflammatory of BGK-1 as compared to GK-1.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.413-423
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• 2020

Background: Ginseng berries (GBs) show temporal metabolic variations among different maturation stages, determining their organoleptic and functional properties. Methods: We analyzed metabolic variations concomitant to five different maturation stages of GBs including immature green (IG), mature green (MG), partially red (PR), fully red (FR), and overmature red (OR) using mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomic profiling and multivariate analyses. Results: The partial least squares discriminant analysis score plot based on gas chromatography-MS datasets highlighted metabolic disparity between preharvest (IG and MG) and harvest/postharvest (PR, FR, and OR) GB extracts along PLS1 (34.9%) with MG distinctly segregated across PLS2 (18.2%). Forty-three significantly discriminant primary metabolites were identified encompassing five developmental stages (variable importance in projection > 1.0, p < 0.05). Among them, most amino acids, organic acids, 5-C sugars, ethanolamines, purines, and palmitic acid were detected in preharvest GB extracts, whereas 6-C sugars, phenolic acid, and oleamide levels were distinctly higher during later maturation stages. Similarly, the partial least squares discriminant analysis based on liquid chromatography-MS datasets displayed preharvest and harvest/postharvest stages clustered across PLS1 (11.1 %); however, MG and PR were separated from IG, FR, and OR along PLS2 (5.6 %). Overall, 24 secondary metabolites were observed significantly discriminant (variable importance in projection > 1.0, p < 0.05), with most displaying higher relative abundance during preharvest stages excluding ginsenosides Rg1 and Re. Furthermore, we observed strong positive correlations between total flavonoid and phenolic metabolite contents in GB extracts and antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Comprehending the dynamic metabolic variations associated with GB maturation stages rationalize their optimal harvest time per se the related agroeconomic traits.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1990.06a
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• pp.149-154
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• 1990

Various rates of 2, 4-2 were sprayed on 2 and 3 year old ginseng plants as fouler spray to define the critical concentration. No apparent plant injury was noticeable for those ginseng plants when application concentration of 2, 4-D doubled the recommended dosage (70 mil 10a). Neither abnormal fouler change occurred nor any inhibition in leaf and stem growth was resulted for the plants treated with 2, 4-D concentrated two times of the recommended dosage. When the rates of 2, 4-D application were increased greater than this level, injury ratings increased linearly with the rates of 2, 4-D application and plant growth was inhibited. Ethylene gas was not produced from the ginseng plant treated with 2 times concentrated 2, 4-D, how- ever the ginseng plants produced 0.03 to 0.09 ppd ethylene gas when the rate of application were increased 3 and 4 times, respectively. On the other hand the soybean treated with the recommended amount of 2i-D produced ethylene gas of 10-20 times higher compared with ginseng plants and died. Photosynthesis ability of the ginseng leaf was significantly decreased by 2, 4.D fouler application but it was recovered 4 weeks after 2, 4-D fouler treatment. The herbicide 2, 4-D was appreciated to 2, 3 and 4 years old ginseng plants as fouler spray with the rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times of the recommended dosage to define the effects of 2, 4-D on the plant growth and root yield of the ginseng, There were no significant differences in the leaf and stem growth between untreated and 2, 4-D treated plant. Berry maturing of 3 and 4 year old ginseng was not influenced by 2, 4-D. The root weight of 4 years old ginseng plant was not reduced b). application of 2, 4-D concentrated 2 times of the recommended dosage. Application time of the herbicide 2, 4-D had no effects on the leaf or stem growth of 2, 3 and 4 year old year old ginseng plants. When the ginseng seedling was treated with 2, 4-D, detrimental phenomena as stem bending and deceleration of seedling leaf margin occurred, but stem bending was recovere d in a few day.