• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.546-554
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension often occur together, amplifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and emphasizing the need for a multitargeted treatment approach. American ginseng (AG) and Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) species could improve glycemic control via complementary mechanisms. Additionally, a KRG-inherent component, ginsenoside Rg3, may moderate blood pressure (BP). Our objective was to investigate the therapeutic potential of coadministration of Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (Rg3-KRG) and AG, added to standard of care therapy, in the management of hypertension and cardiometabolic risk factors in type-2 diabetes. Methods: Within a randomized controlled, parallel design of 80 participants with type-2 diabetes (HbA1c: 6.5-8%) and hypertension (systolic BP: 140-160 mmHg or treated), supplementation with either 2.25 g/day of combined Rg3-KRG + AG or wheat-bran control was assessed over a 12-wk intervention period. The primary endpoint was ambulatory 24-h systolic BP. Additional endpoints included further hemodynamic assessment, glycemic control, plasma lipids and safety monitoring. Results: Combined ginseng intervention generated a mean ± SE decrease in primary endpoint of 24-h systolic BP (-3.98 ± 2.0 mmHg, p = 0.04). Additionally, there was a greater reduction in HbA1c (-0.35 ± 0.1% [-3.8 ± 1.1 mmol/mol], p = 0.02), and change in blood lipids: total cholesterol (-0.50 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), non-HDL-C (-0.54 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), triglycerides (-0.40 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.02) and LDL-C (-0.35 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.06) at 12 wks, relative to control. No adverse safety outcomes were observed. Conclusion: Coadministration of Rg3-KRG + AG is an effective addon for improving BP along with attaining favorable cardiometabolic outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Ginseng derivatives may offer clinical utility when included in the polypharmacy and lifestyle treatment of diabetes. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT01578837;

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2019

This study investigated the effect of traditional medicinal plants on the quality characteristics of Samgyetang breast meat and broth. The traditional medicinal plants used in this study were roots of Panax ginseng, Codonopsis lanceolata, Platycodon grandiflorum, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Adenophora triphylla, and Allium hookeri. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the moisture, protein, ash content, water holding capacity, and cooking loss of Samgyetang meat with the addition of traditional medicinal plants. The color values (lightness, redness, and yellowness) of Samgyetang meat and broth were significantly different (P<0.05); the 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and shear force of Samgyetang meat were significantly different (P<0.05); and the pH, turbidity, and viscosity of Samgyetang broth were also significantly different (P<0.05) with the addition of traditional medicinal plants. In the overall acceptability of Samgyetang meat, the addition of S. miltiorrhiza showed the highest score compared to that of other treatments (P<0.05). Thus, the addition of traditional medicinal plants in the production of Samgyetang were found to affect the lipid rancidity beneficially with plant species when compared to Samgyetang with Panax ginseng. In conclusion, with the development of Samgyetang using S. miltiorrhiza, it will be possible to develop products with superior quality characteristics in antioxidant, shear force, and overall acceptability.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.315-323
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• 2013

Ginseng is known to have antistress effects. Previously, red ginseng (RG) was shown to repress stress-induced peptidyl arginine deiminase type IV (PADI4) via estrogen receptor ${\beta}$ ($ER{\beta}$) in the brain, thus inhibiting brain cell apoptosis. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ plays a critical role in immobilization (IMO) stress. However, the signaling pathway of RG-mediated repressesion of inflammation is not completely understood. In this study, we determined how RG modulated gene expression in stressed brain cells. Since secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ is modulated via TNF-${\alpha}$ converting enzyme (TACE) and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, we examined the inflammatory pathway in stressed brain cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed that TACE was induced by IMO stress, but RG repressed TACE induction. Moreover, PADI4 siRNA repressed TACE expression compared to the mock transfected control suggesting that PADI4 was required for TACE expression. A reporter assay also revealed that $H_2O_2$ oxidative stress induced NF-${\kappa}B$ in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells, however, RG pretreatment repressed NF-${\kappa}B$ induction. These findings were supported by significant induction of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress, which could be repressed by RG administration. Taken together, RG appeared to repress stress-induced PADI4 via TACE and NF-${\kappa}B$ in brain cells thus preventing production of ROS and subsequently protecting brain cells from apoptosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.136-145
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• 2014

Background: This study aimed to develop a biocontrol system for ginseng root rot caused by Fusarium cf. incarnatum. Methods: In total, 392 bacteria isolated from ginseng roots and various soils were screened for their antifungal activity against the fungal pathogen, and a bacterial isolate (B2-5) was selected as a promising candidate for the biocontrol because of the strong antagonistic activity of the bacterial cell suspension and culture filtrate against pathogen. Results: The bacterial isolate B2-5 displayed an enhanced inhibitory activity against the pathogen mycelial growth with a temperature increase to $25^{\circ}C$, produced no pectinase (related to root rotting) an no critical rot symptoms at low [$10^6$ colony-forming units (CFU)/mL] and high ($10^8CFU/mL$) inoculum concentrations. In pot experiments, pretreatment with the bacterial isolate in the presumed optimal time for disease control reduced disease severity significantly with a higher control efficacy at an inoculum concentration of $10^6CFU/mL$ than at $10^8CFU/mL$. The establishment and colonization ability of the bacterial isolates on the ginseng rhizosphere appeared to be higher when both the bacterial isolate and the pathogen were coinoculated than when the bacterial isolate was inoculated alone, suggesting its target-oriented biocontrol activity against the pathogen. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the pathogen hyphae were twisted and shriveled by the bacterial treatment, which may be a symptom of direct damage by antifungal substances. Conclusion: All of these results suggest that the bacterial isolate has good potential as a microbial agent for the biocontrol of the ginseng root rot caused by F. cf. incarnatum.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Background: Some plants have harmful effects on fungi and bacteria as well as other plants. Incorporating such plant into soil as green manure is effective in reducing population densities of soil pathogens. Methods and Results: Twenty-three species of green manure crops were cultivated after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng and then incorporated into the soil at the flowering stage. The following year, the root rot ratio of 2-year-old ginseng and soil chemical properties were investigated. In the absence of green manure addition, the $NO_3$ content, electric conductivity (EC), and K content decreased by 95%, 79% and 65%, respectively. In the presence of green manure addition, $P_2O_5$ and $NO_3$ contents reduced by 41% and 25%, respectively. The "survived root ratio" of 2-year-old ginseng significantly increased by 56.2%, 47.5%, and 47.3%, in the Sorghum sudanense, Ricinus communis and Helianthus tuberosus treatment, respectively. In addition, there was a significant increase in the "survived root ratio" in the Secale cereale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Smallanthus sonchifolius treatments. The "survived root ratio" of ginseng showed a significant positive correlation with the soil pH and a negative correlation with the $NO_3$ contents, and EC. Conclusions: Cultivation of plant form the Chrysanthemum family as green manure, using mainly the rhizomes was effective for the control of root rot disease of ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.619-627
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• 1997

It is known that 2-methyl-1,4-naphtoquinone(menadione, MD) induces hepatotoxicities both in vivo and in vitro. These toxic effects are believed to result from oxidative damages to hepatocytes by "active oxygen" species via one-electron reduction of the naphtoquinone. The ginsenoside(GS) is a complex mixture of individual ginsenosides which is known to produce a range of effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. In particular, GS has an antioxidant effect. In this experiment we studied the effect of GS from red panax ginseng(red ginseng total saponin, RGTS) on free radical-induced liver injuries by MD. Administration of MD($150{\mu}M$) caused an increase in aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activities and lipid peroxidation, decrease in alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities and total bilirubin levels in blood, caused depletion of GSH and changes of antioxidant enzyme(superoxide dismutase, catalase) activities are shown in liver tissue. Administration of RGTS restored the AST levels that increased by MD, but catalase showed no significant changes. RGTS also had an effect of restoring the GSH level and had some synergistic effects with SOD. These data suggest that RGTS may have some protective effects on liver injury which is related with the oxygen free radical.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.950-955
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• 2010

In this study, we prepared CheonJeongKiBo-Dan(7 oriental medicinal plants, 7OMP: Astragalus Membranaceus root, Panax Ginseng root, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) root, Schizandra Chinensis fruit, Polygonatum Odoratum, Rehmannia Glutinosa root, Paeonia Albiflora root) by extracting them in one reactor and studied its efficacies on skin. UV irradiation has been suggested as a major cause of photoaging in skin. In order to investigate protective effects against UV-B induced cellular damage, 7OMP was extracted with 70% ethanol and dissolved in DMSO. The protective effect was detected by MTT assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, phosphorylation of ATR and p53 in human dermal fibroblast cell system after UV-B irradiation. 7OMP reduced UV-B-induced cellular damage in HDFs cells, and inhibited ROS generation. UV-B-induced toxicity accompanying ROS production and the resultant DNA damage are responsible for activation of ATR, p53 and Bad. In this study, 7OMP hampered phosphorylations of ATR and p53 in human dermal fibroblasts. Therefore, 7OMP may be protective against UV-induced skin photoaging.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2004

Earlier studies have demonstrated that chromium (Cr) Ⅵ compounds have been shown to be more toxic and carcinogenic than other chromium compounds. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of red ginseng against chromium Ⅵ-induced toxicity and free radical generation. Sixty adult male rats were divided into six equal groups include: control group, group received Cr Ⅵ alone (50 mg/kg b.w.), group treated with Korean ginseng (K. ginseng) alone (20 mg/kg b.w), group treated with Cr Ⅵ for 15 days then received K. ginseng for other 15 days, group treated with Cr Ⅵ and K. ginseng at the same time for 15 days, and group treated with K. ginseng for 15 days then Cr Ⅵ for other 15 days. The results revealed that Cr Ⅵ caused significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP, G-GT, urea, creatinine, and acid phosphatase. Whereas, it caused significant decrease in TP, albumin, testosterone, GPX, and SOD indicating a stress for liver, kidney and testes. K. ginseng alone caused significant increase in GPX and SOD activities in healthy animals and this result suggests a prophylactic role for this herb in protection against the damaging impact induced by free radical species. Furthermore, the other biochemical parameters measured after K. ginseng administration were comparable to the control values. Treatment with Cr Ⅵ followed by K. ginseng, Cr Ⅵ and K. ginseng or K. ginseng followed by Cr Ⅵ resulted in significant improvement in all tested parameters towards the normal values of the controls. However, this improvement was pronounced in the group pre-treated with K. ginseng for 15 days before Cr Ⅵ administration. It could be concluded that K. ginseng exhibited a protective action against the toxic effects of Cr Ⅵ and it had the ability to scavenge free radicals resulted from Cr Ⅵ intoxication.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.563-569
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• 2020

Background: White ginseng consists of the roots and rhizomes of the Panax species, and red ginseng is made by steaming and drying white ginseng. While red ginseng has both polar and nonpolar ginsenosides, previous studies showed white ginseng to have only polar ginsenosides. Because nonpolar ginsenosides are formed through the manufacture of red ginseng from white ginseng, researchers have generally thought that nonpolar ginsenosides do not exist in white ginseng. Methods: We developed a simultaneous quantitative method for six nonpolar ginsenosides in white ginseng using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with integrated pulsed amperometric detection. The nonpolar ginsenosides of white ginseng were extracted for 4 h under reflux with 50% methanol. Results: Using the gradient elution system, all target components were completely separated within 50 min. Nonpolar ginsenosides were determined in the rhizome head (RH), main root (MR), lateral root, and hairy root (HR) of 6-year-old white ginseng samples obtained from several regions (Geumsan, Punggi, and Kanghwa). The total content in the HR of white ginseng was 37.8-56.8% of that in the HR of red ginseng. The total content in the MR of white ginseng was 5.9-24.3% of that in the MR of red ginseng. In addition, the total content in the RH of white ginseng was 28.5-35.8% of that in the HR of red ginseng Conclusion: It was confirmed that nonpolar ginsenosides known to be specific components of red ginseng were present at substantial concentrations in the HR or RH of white ginseng.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1988.08a
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• pp.133-138
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• 1988

The traditional concept of ginseng quality was investigated in relation to historical experiences. traditional quality measure and mordern analytical method. The traditional concept appears to be based on the original Korean thought of oneness in life and universe. The outside appearance such as shape and size in traditional quality measure includes the inside quality. Since certain shape and size define specific tissues. cells and biologically active substances in cells the traditional measure will he a map for analytical method to find active principles. Traditional method suggests that the balance among biologically active compounds seems to he more important than the large amount of one active compound and that the mode of active compounds in ginseng for the homeostasis of human body is the multicompound to multitarget system. Traditional method strongly suggests the importance of nitrogen compounds. especially soluble protein and heat stable protein for the balance of active principles since nitrogen compounds are more abundant in the central part (xylem-pith) that grows faster than the outer part (cortex-epidermis). The balance of physiologically active principles appeares to be meaningful in relation to the difference in traditional use of Panax species.