• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2009

This study evaluates changes in the chemical composition and bioactivities of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) processed by boiling in water, $75^{\circ}C$ for 10, 20, 30, and 40 min, and autoclaving at high temperatures, $115^{\circ}C$ for 30 and 60 min and $130^{\circ}C$ for 90 and 120 min. Total ginsenoside contents of boiled ginseng remained relatively unchanged, whereas the contents of autoclaved ginseng samples significantly decreased with an increase of both time and temperature. Compared to unheated ginseng (control), the color of both boiled and autoclaved ginseng decreased in lightness and increased in redness. The acidic polysaccharide contents, the total phenolic contents and the antioxidant capacity of boiled and autoclaved ginseng were higher than the untreated ginseng, with the highest values being exhibited by the autoclaved samples. In particular, the antioxidant capacity of unheated ginseng increased about 2.5 times ($285.7{\pm}14.03\;mg$/100g to $777.2{\pm}26.4\;mg$/100g) when ginseng was autoclaved at $130^{\circ}C$ for 120 min as compared to the control. It was concluded that as American ginseng was processed at a high temperature, especially steam-heated in an autoclave, its chemical constituents changed and, in particular, acidic polysaccharides, total phenolics and antioxidant capacity were considerably increased.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.178-182
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• 2003

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) fungi naturally colonise American ginseng roots and this relationship is highly beneficial to enhance plant productivity. Our goal was to determine the effect of adding two Glomus species (Glomus etuticatum, G. intraradices) on survival, photosynthetic capacity, growth, morphology and root ginsenoside content of one-year-old American ginseng plants grown in a broadleaf forest. While our study revealed that VAM inoculations significantly affected root morphology and Re ginsenoside content, the survival, photosynthetic capacity and root growth of American ginseng plants were not significantly influenced by VAM inoculations. Surface area and volume of rootlets were 16-25% higher for ginseng grown in VAM-inoculated soil compared to those grown in the control plots. Also, Re ginsenoside content was 18 ％ higher in YAM-inoculated roots compared to controls.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 1998

As part of a study on the ability of fungicides to control disappearing root rot of ginseng (Panax quinquvdius) caused by Cylindruarpn destmtans, 15 fungicides were screened for toxicity to the fungus in vitro. Highly toxic fungicides were Benlate (benomyl), Thiram (thiram), and Orbit (propiconazole). EC5O values (mg a.i./L) were less than 1 and EC95 values were less than 10. Crown (carbathiin and thiabendazole), ASC-66835 (fluazinam), and UBI-2584 (tebuconazole) were moderately toxic, with EC5O values in the range 1-10 and EC95 values in the range 32-45. Weakly toxic fungicides (EC5O in the range 20-80, EC95 in the range 35-140) included UBI-2643 (thiabendazole), UBI-2565 (cyproconazole), and Vitaflo-280 (carbathiin and thiram). Anvil (hexaconazole), Vitaflo-250 (carbathiin), UBI-2383 (triadimenol), Daconil (chlorothalonil), CGA-173506 (fludioxonil), and CGA-169374 (difeno- conazole) were considered nontoxic to C. destmtan (EC5O 1.29->600, EC95>500). Relations between proportional inhibition of growth and concentration of fungicide were linear on arithmetic plots (Benlate, UBI-2643, UBI-2565, Vitaflo-280) or logarithmic plots (all other fungicides). Based on toxicity in vitro and formulation, it is recommended that Benlate, Orbit, and ASC-66835 be tested as soil drenches, and Benlate, Thiram, UBI-2584, and Crown be tested as seed treatments for controlling disappearing root rot.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2018

Ginseng products available in different forms and preparations are reported to have varied bioactivities and chemical compositions. In our previous study, four new dammarane-type ginsenosides were isolated from Panax ginseng, which are ginsenoside Rg18 (1), 6-acetyl ginsenoside Rg3 (2), ginsenoside Rs11 (3), and ginsenoside Re7 (4). Accordingly, the goal of this study was to determine the distribution and content of these newly characterized ginsenosides in different ginseng products. The content of compounds 1 - 4 in different ginseng products was determined via HPLC-UV. The samples included ginseng roots from different ginseng species, roots harvested from different localities in Korea, and samples harvested at different cultivation ages and processed under different manufacturing methods. The four ginsenosides were present at varying concentrations in the different ginseng samples examined. The variations in their content could be attributed to species variation, and differences in cultivation conditions and manufacturing methods. The total concentration of compounds 1 - 4 were highest in ginseng obtained from Geumsan ($185{\mu}g/g$), white-6 yr ginseng ($150{\mu}g/g$), and P. quinquefolius ($186{\mu}g/g$). The results of this study provide a basis for the optimization of cultivation conditions and manufacturing methods to maximize the yield of the four new ginsenosides in ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.337-340
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• 2008

Seedlings of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) were grown to full canopy establishment and then leaflet or leaf removal at different times applied to determine the effects on plant growth and performance. Leaf removal at 47, 57, 69 and 78 days after seeding resulted in 82.1, 59.8, 41.3 and 29.8% reduction, respectively, in root dry matter (economic yield) ; this indicates that leaf removal during the early root growth period causes greatest reduction in root yield. Removal of 1, 2, and 3 leaflets at 42, 52, 62 and 70 days from seeding reduced root weight at harvest (80 days from seeding) linearly, particularly at earlier removal dates. The perennating bud formed on all roots and was not influenced by treatment. This would suggest that if leaf loss occurs after canopy establishment the plant will re-grow the next year after the obligatory dormancy period.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.1-19
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• 2002

The use of herbals has increased considerably while their efficacy and safety remain untested. This unsupported surge in demand has prompted a call for their clinical evaluation. One area in which evaluations are emerging is ginseng and diabetes. Growing evidence is accumulating from in vitro and animal models indicating that various ginseng species, American (Panax quinquefolius L), Asian (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), Korean Red, San-chi (Panax notoginseng [Burk.] P.R. Chen), and the non-panax species Siberian (Eleutherococcus senticossus) ginsing, and their fractions, saponins (ginsenosides) and peptidoglycans (panaxans for panax species and eleutehrans for Siberian ginseng), might affect carbohydrate metabolism and related signaling molecules. Recent human studies from our laboratory have also shown a blood glucose lowering effect of American ginseng (AG) and some other ginseng spices postprandially after acute administration and chronically after administration for 8-weeks in people with type 2 diabetes. Although generally encouraging, these data only indicate a need for more evaluations of ginsengs safety and efficacy. Because of poor industry standardization, it is not known whether all ginsengs will affect blood glucose. In this regards some ginseng batches have demonstrated null effects while others have even raised postprandial glycemia. Clinical research should therefore focus on components involved in its glucose lowering effects.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.135-144
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• 2020

Background: Panax species are important herbal medicinal plants in the Araliaceae family. Recently, we reported the complete chloroplast genomes and 45S nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences from seven Panax species, two (P. quinquefolius and P. trifolius) from North America and five (P. ginseng, P. notoginseng, P. japonicus, P. vietnamensis, and P. stipuleanatus) from Asia. Methods: We conducted phylogenetic analysis of these chloroplast sequences with 12 other Araliaceae species and comprehensive comparative analysis among the seven Panax whole chloroplast genomes. Results: We identified 1,128 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in coding gene sequences, distributed among 72 of the 79 protein-coding genes in the chloroplast genomes of the seven Panax species. The other seven genes (including psaJ, psbN, rpl23, psbF, psbL, rps18, and rps7) were identical among the Panax species. We also discovered that 12 large chloroplast genome fragments were transferred into the mitochondrial genome based on sharing of more than 90% sequence similarity. The total size of transferred fragments was 60,331 bp, corresponding to approximately 38.6% of chloroplast genome. We developed 18 SNP markers from the chloroplast genic coding sequence regions that were not similar to regions in the mitochondrial genome. These markers included two or three species-specific markers for each species and can be used to authenticate all the seven Panax species from the others. Conclusion: The comparative analysis of chloroplast genomes from seven Panax species elucidated their genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships, and 18 species-specific markers were able to discriminate among these species, thereby furthering efforts to protect the ginseng industry from economically motivated adulteration.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.103-108
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• 1998

The Canadian production of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) occurs mainly in Ontario, British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces. Although ginseng is a profitable crop, its successful production is dependent on careful consideration of cultural management f include site selection, site preparation, seed selection and handling, shading actors which and mulching, pest and nutritional management, and handling of harvested crops. Diseases of particular concern in Atlantic Canada are root rots caused by Phytopkthora cactorum, Cylindrocarpon destructans and Fusarium sp. Recently two systemic fungicides (metalaxyl and fosetylal) were registered; however, growers in Atlantic Canada have experienced metalaxyl resistance resulting from the reliance on this single compound for the control of Phytophthora sap. Current research being conducted on alternative control of these diseases will be discussed. In weed control research, 2, 4-D, MCPA, clopyralid have continued to show promise for weed contro1 at low rates. In trials to evaluate non-selective herbicides as post-senescence or pre-emergence in ginseng, glyphosate (Round-up) provided control of perennials as well as willowherb and lambsquarters. In phytoxicity trials, ginseng significantly tolerated grass herbicides, including clethodim, rimsulfuron, trakloxydim, nicosulfuron and fenoxyprop. For broadleaf herbicides, significant tolerance was shown for bromoxynil, thifensulfuron methyl, flumetulam/clopyralid, thifensulfuro/tribenuron. Disease and weed management of ginseng in Atlantic Canada will be discussed.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1980.09a
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• pp.39-47
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• 1980

The harvesting and export of Canadian ginseng from the cool, shady hardwood forests of southern Canada can be traced to 1796. Because of its high dollar value and diminishing woodland supplies it was decided in 1896 that it should be cultivated under wood lath screens. Present day economics dictate changes in production techniques to allow for a decreasing supply of expensive labour. Traditional wooden lath screens have a surface area of wood of 70 per cent and permit light penetration of only about 18 per cent. Experimental woven black polypropylene shade has an estimated surface area of 72 per cent and permits light pentration of about 28 per cent. While differences in air and leaf temperatures under the two shade structures can be measured it is doubtful if these are great enough to cause differences in plant growth under the two structures. Shade grown ginseng had a low fresh and dry weight and total chlorophyll content (ratio of a to b was 3 to 1) comparable to other shade species. There was no differences in fresh and dry weight and chlorophyll content of leaves from plants grown under the two shade structures. Maximum net photosynthesis of leaves was 0.175 g $CO_2\;m^{-2}\;hr^{-1}$ and light saturation level was about $200{\mu}E\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1},$ or about 10 per cent of full sunlight.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.316-325
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• 2017

Background: Ginseng essence (GE) is a formulation comprising four medicinal and edible herbs including ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera), and lily bulb (Lilium longiflorum). This study was aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effect of GE against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury in rats. Methods: We treated Wistar rats daily with low, medium, and high [0.625 g/kg body weight (bw), 1.25 g/kg bw, and 3.125 g/kg bw, respectively] doses of GE for 9 wk. After the 1st wk of treatment, rats were administered 20% $CCl_4$ (1.5 mL/kg bw) two times a week to induce liver damage until the treatment ended. Results: Serum biochemical analysis indicated that GE ameliorated the elevation of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and albumin decline in $CCl_4$-treated rats. Moreover, $CCl_4$-induced accumulation of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride was inhibited. The hepatoprotective effects of GE involved enhancing the hepatic antioxidant defense system including glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. In addition, histological analysis using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining showed that GE inhibited $CCl_4$-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of alpha-smooth muscle actin indicated that $CCl_4$-triggered activation of hepatic stellate cells was reduced. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that GE improves $CCl_4$-induced liver inflammation and fibrosis by attenuating oxidative stress. Therefore, GE could be a promising hepatoprotective herbal formulation for future development of phytotherapy.