• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.487-495
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• 2017

Background: Although flowers of Panax ginseng Meyer (FPG), Panax quinquefolius L. (FPQ), and Panax notoginseng Burk. (FPN) have been historically used as both medicine and food, each is used differently in practice. Methods: To investigate the connection between components and enhancing immunity activity of FPG, FPQ, and FPN, a method based on a rapid LC coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight MS and immunomodulatory activity study evaluated by a carbon clearance test were combined. Results: According to quantitative results, the ratio of the total content of protopanaxatiol-type ginsenosides to protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides in FPN was 0, but ranged from 1.10 to 1.32 and from 0.23 to 0.35 in FPG and FPQ, respectively. The ratio of the total content of neutral ginsenosides to the corresponding malonyl-ginsenosides in FPN ($5.52{\pm}1.33%$) was higher than FPG ($3.2{\pm}0.64%$) and FPQ ($2.39{\pm}0.57%$). The colorimetric analysis showed the content of total ginsenosides in FPQ, FPG, and FPN to be $13.75{\pm}0.60%$, $17.45{\pm}0.42%$, and $12.45{\pm}1.77%$, respectively. The carbon clearance assay indicated that the phagocytic activity of FPG and FPQ was higher than that of FPN. A clear discrimination among FPG, FPQ, and FPN was observed in the principal component analysis score plots. Seven compounds were confirmed to contribute strongly by loading plots, which may be the cause of differences in efficacy. Conclusion: This study provides basic information about the chemical and bioactive comparison of FPG, FPQ, and FPN, indicating that protopanaxtriol-type ginsenosides and malonyl-ginsenosides may play a key role in their enhancing immunity properties.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.680-689
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• 2020

Background: Peptides have diverse and important physiological roles in plants and are ideal markers for species identification. It is unclear whether there are specific peptides in Panax quinquefolius L. (PQ). The aims of this study were to identify Quinetides, a series of diverse posttranslational modified native peptides of the ribonuclease-like storage protein (ginseng major protein), from PQ to explore novel peptide markers and develop a new method to distinguish PQ from Panax ginseng. Methods: We used different fragmentation modes in the LTQ Orbitrap analysis to identify the enriched Quinetide targets of PQ, and we discovered Quinetide markers of PQ and P. ginseng using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis. These "peptide markers" were validated by simultaneously monitoring Rf and F11 as standard ginsenosides. Results: We discovered 100 Quinetides of PQ with various post-translational modifications (PTMs), including a series of glycopeptides, all of which originated from the protein ginseng major protein. We effectively distinguished PQ from P. ginseng using new "peptide markers." Four unique peptides (Quinetides TP6 and TP7 as markers of PQ and Quinetides TP8 and TP9 as markers of P. ginseng) and their associated glycosylation products were discovered in PQ and P. ginseng. Conclusion: We provide specific information on PQ peptides and propose the clinical application of peptide markers to distinguish PQ from P. ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2005

In vitro studies using detached inflorescences with peduncles were conducted to investigate flower abscission agents in North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.). Of the nine compounds studied only three, ammonium thiosulphate (ATS), abscisic acid (ABA) and ethephon induced abscission. Anilazine, benzyladenine, carbaryl, gibberellic acid, napthaleneacetic acid and thidiazuron did not induce abscission. ATS dip treatments did not induce abscission but the spray treatments induced $60.5\%$ abscission at $1500\;mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ and $33.1\%$ at $3000\;mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$. Severe chlorophyll loss occurred on all inflorescences treated with ATS. Both ABA dip treatments and a $250\;{\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ spray treatment caused abscission $(40\%)$ without adverse effects, and timing of ABA application was important. Because ABA was only significant in the dip treatments, ABA may not be a practical option for field use on ginseng. Ethephon sprays induced more abscission as the season progressed and as the concentration increased. As the dip concentrations of ethephon increased, the abscission rate decreased and the health of the inflorescences declined. The $1500\;mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ spray of ethephon gave consistent abscission results over the glowing season with little phytotoxicity. Treatment with the competitive ethylene inhibitor 1-methylcy-clopropene (1-MCP) suggested that flower abscission was due to the liberation of ethylene from the breakdown of ethephon.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2003

North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) was analysed for total ginsenosides and ten major ginsenosides (R$_{0}$ , Rb$_1$, Rb$_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg$_1$, pseudoginsenoside F$_{11}$ and gypenoside XVII), and variations in ginsenoside content with age of plant (over a four-year-period) and geographic location (Ontario versus British Columbia) were investigated. In the roots the total ginsenoside content increased with age up to 58-100 mgㆍg$^{-1}$ dry weights in the fourth year, but in leaves it remained constant over time. Roots and leaves, moreover, had different proportions of individual ginsenosides. The most abundant ginsenosides were Rb$_1$ (56mgㆍg$^{-1}$ for Ontario; 37mgㆍg$^{-1}$ for British Columbia) and Re (21mgㆍg$^{-1}$ for Ontario; 15 mgㆍg$^{-1}$ for British Columbia) in roots, and Rd (28-38 mgㆍg$^{-1}$ ), Re (20-25 mgㆍg$^{-1}$ ), and Rb$_2$ (13-19 mgㆍg$^{-1}$ ) in leaves. Measurable quantities of Rf were found in leaves (0.4-1.8 mgㆍg$^{-1}$ ) but not in roots or stems. Our results show that ginsenoside profiles in general, and Rf in particular, could be used for chemical fingerprinting to distinguish the different parts of the ginseng plant, and that ginseng leaves could be valuable sources of the ginsenosides Rd, Re, and Rb$_2$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.368-374
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• 2011

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is grown in some regions of the USA and Canada and marketed for its health promoting attributes. While cultivation of this plant species has taken place in North America for over 100 years, there are many challenges that need to be addressed. In this article, the current production method used by growers is described and the challenges and opportunities for research on this valuable plant are discussed. These include studies on pharmacological activity, genetic diversity within the species, genetic improvement of currently grown plants, molecular characterization of gene expression, and management of diseases affecting plant productivity. The current research developments in these areas are reviewed and areas requiring further work are summarized. Additional research should shed light on the nature of the bioactive compounds and their clinical effects, and the molecular basis of active ingredient biosynthesis, and provide more uniform genetic material as well as improved plant growth, and potentially reduce losses due to pathogens.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.3 s.55
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• pp.135-147
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• 1999

Nine herbicide products (fluazifop-p-butyl, clethodim, MCPA-sodium, 2,4-0 amine, chlorthal dimethyl, diquat, glyphosate, ethalfluralin and oryzalin) were evaluated for use on ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Products varied in their ability to suppress weeds and certain materials were phytotoxic to ginseng in some trials. Chlorthal dimethyl (broadleaf weeds), MCPA-sodium (broadleaf weeds), fluazifop-p-butyl (grass weeds), and clethodim (grass weeds) were found to be effective as weed control agents and did not adversely affect ginseng growth. Other products tested were either not efficacious or were phytotoxic to ginseng in some trials. Weed populations were mainly introduced into the planting sites via the straw mulches used in ginseng cultivation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.38-48
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• 2019

Background: Interspecific ginseng hybrid, Panax ginseng ${\times}$ Panax quenquifolius (Pgq) has vigorous growth and produces larger roots than its parents. However, F1 progenies are complete male sterile. Plant tissue culture technology can circumvent the issue and propagate the hybrid. Methods: Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg/L) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used for callus induction and somatic embryogenesis (SE). The embryos, after culturing on $GA_3$ supplemented medium, were transferred to hormone free 1/2 Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium. The developed taproots with dormant buds were treated with $GA_3$ to break the bud dormancy, and transferred to soil. Hybrid Pgq plants were verified by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analyses and by LC-IT-TOF-MS. Results: We conducted a comparative study of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Pgq and its parents, and attempted to establish the soil transfer of in vitro propagated Pgq tap roots. The Pgq explants showed higher rate of embryogenesis (~56% at 2 mg/L 2,4-D concentration) as well as higher number of embryos per explants (~7 at the same 2,4-D concentration) compared to its either parents. The germinated embryos, after culturing on $GA_3$ supplemented medium, were transferred to hormone free 1/2 SH medium to support the continued growth and kept until nutrient depletion induced senescence (NuDIS) of leaf defoliation occurred (4 months). By that time, thickened tap roots with well-developed lateral roots and dormant buds were obtained. All Pgq tap roots pretreated with 20 mg/L $GA_3$ for at least a week produced new shoots after soil transfer. We selected the discriminatory RAPD and ISSR markers to find the interspecific ginseng hybrid among its parents. The $F_1$ hybrid (Pgq) contained species specific 2 ginsenosides (ginsenoside Rf in P. ginseng and pseudoginsenosides $F_{11}$ in P. quinquefolius), and higher amount of other ginsenosides than its parents. Conclusion: Micropropagation of interspecific hybrid ginseng can give an opportunity for continuous production of plants.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.237-243
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• 1998

Three fungicides, Orbit (propiconazole), Benlate (benomyl) and ASC-66835 (fluazinam), were tested as soil drenches to control disappearing root rot (DRR) of ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in gardens artificially infested with Cylindrocarpon dsstrutans. The incidence of DRR was low (0∼3.5%) in uninfected plots and significantly higher in infested plots (2.6∼19.9%). Significant reductions in the incidence of DRR were observed in 1-year-old and 2-year-old gardens that were treated and assessed for disease in the same year Significant control was not obtained in 3-year-old gardens treated and as secede in the same year, or in 1-year-old or 2-year-old gardens assessed in the year following information. Disease incidence was significantly reduced by 49-77% by low and high rates of benomyl (45 and 1,250 mg a.1./L) and propiconazole (10 and 40 mg a.i./L) and by fluazinam at 150 mg a.i./L. These fungicides seem to be worthy of further investigation as soil drenches to control DRR of ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2003

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) with strain LBA 4404 containing a rice thaumatin-like protein gene is described. The selectable markers used were phosphinothricin acetyltransferase and hygromycin phosphotransferase genes. Epicotyl explants from seedlings were precultured for 5-7 days on Murashige and Skoog medium with ${\alpha}$-naphthaleneacetic acid and 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at 10 ${\mu}$M and 9 ${\mu}$M, respectively (ND medium), prior to Agrobacterium infection. The explants were immersed in a bacterial suspension for 20 min. A post-infection co-culture period of 3-4 days was provided on ND medium. Selection for transformed calli was conducted on ND medium with 20 mg/L phosphinothricin followed by 100 mg/L hygromycin over an 8-month period. it transformation frequency of 24.8% was achieved at the callusing phase. The presence of the transgenes in calli was confirmed by Southern hybridization and polymerase chain reaction analysis. The expression of the thaumatin-like protein gene in ginseng calli was demonstrated by Western blot analysis. Somatic embryos were produced from both transgenic calli and suspension cultures, and plantlets were recovered that expressed the transgenic thaumatin-like protein gene.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2014

Field and nutrient cultures of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) were used to establish foliar symptoms related to boron (B) concentration in leaves and soils, and to evaluate radish as a time-saving model system for B nutrition. Application of excess B, 8 kg/ha versus the recommended 1.5 kg/ha, to field plantings of 2-, 3-, and 4-yr-old American ginseng plants just prior to crop emergence caused, within 4 wk after crop emergence, leaf symptoms of chlorosis followed by necrosis starting at the tips and progressing along the margins. The B concentration in leaves of 2-4-yr-old plants receiving 1.5 kg/ha Bwas $30{\mu}g/g$ dry mass compared to $460{\mu}g/g$ dry mass where 8 kg/ha B was applied. Similarly, B concentration in soils receiving the lower B concentration was 1.8 mg/g dry mass and $2.2-2.8{\mu}g/g$ dry mass where the higher B concentration was applied. Application of 8 kg/ha B reduced the dry yield of 3rd-yr roots by 20% from 2745 kg/ha to 2196 kg/ha and 4th-yr roots by 26% from 4130 kg/ha to 3071 kg/ha. Ginseng seedlings and radish were grown under greenhouse conditions in nutrient culture with four B concentrations ranging from 0 mg/L to 10 mg/L. At 5 mg/L and 10 mg/L ginseng and radish developed typical leaf B toxicity symptoms similar to those described above for field-grown plants. Increasing B in the nutrient solution from 0.5 mg/L to 10 mg/L decreased, in a linear fashion, the root and leaf dry mass of ginseng, but not radish. Given the many similarities of ginseng and radish to B utilization, radish might be used as a timesaving model system for the study of B, and other micronutrients, in the slow-growing perennial ginseng.