• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2022

In this study, the anti-pigmentation efficacy of Panax vietnamensis (P. vietnamensis), a ginseng native to Vietnam, was confirmed. Melanin synthesis was repressed by ethanolic extracts of P. vietnamensis in B16F10 cells, melanocytes originated from mouse. At 250 ㎍/mL ethanolic extracts of P. vietnamensis, melanin contents were repressed by 64.04% compared to the control group. In addition, ethanolic extracts of P. vietnamensis downregulated tyrosinase activity and expression to 53.34% and 59.39%, respectively. As shown our result, ethanolic extracts of P. vietnamensis blocks α-MSH-mediated melanogenesis and is valuable whitening ingredients in cosmetics.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 2009

This study was initiated to investigate the impacts of media types and other components on the callogenensis and cell mass production of Panax vietnamensis in the first step of the cell biomass procedure. Four media were checked: Murashige-Skoog (MS), White, Gamborg and Nitch-AII. All the four media were shown potential media for Panax vietnamensis callogenensis and cell mass production, in which the MS medium showed the best results: the successful callogenensis ratio and cell mass formation were 30% and 62,93 ${\pm}$ 3,63 mg (DW) respectively, the Nitch medium showed the lowest results: the successful callogenensis ratio and cell mass formation were 15% and 27,10 ${\pm}$ 2,24 mg (DW) respectively. The results showed that the MS medium is the most suitable medium for Panax vietnamensis callogenensis and cell mass production.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.183-185
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• 2008

Studies were made to remove the toxic phytohormone, 2,4-D, in suspension cultures of Panax vietnamensis. Cells grown in normal MS medium with 2,4-D were inoculated and grown in the MS medium without hormone. Not a big difference was observed in growth characteristics between media with and without 2,4-D. The 2,4-D in the culture, however, was completely removed. During the culture, the residual 2,4-D was consumed rapidly at the early growth stage. The intra-cellular 2,4-D was consumed first and the 2,4-D in the medium was used afterward.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.127-137
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• 1998

From the underground part of Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., commonly known as Vietnamese ginseng, 50 triterpene glycosides including 24 new dammarane saponins named visa-ginsenosides-Rl-24 were isolated and identified. The structure of the new saponins was elucidated based on chemical and spectroscopic evidence. The saponin composition of Vietnamese ginseng is almost similar to that of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and other cultivated Panax spp. However, the content of ocotillos-type saponins, especially that of the major saponin, majonoside-R2 (5.29% yield), was surprisingly very high. The pharmacological activities of Vietnamese ginseng are essentially similar to those of ginseng. In addition, it has marked antibacterial activity against pathogenic Streptococcus app. and is effective in treatment of granular angina. The chemical composition and pharmacological activities have made Vietnamese ginseng an interesting member of Panax spp. from chemotaxonomical and pharmacological points of view,

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2017

Background: Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. or Vietnamese ginseng (VG) is a recently discovered ginseng species. Studies on its chemical constituents have shown that VG is remarkably rich in ginseng saponins, particularly ocotillol saponins. However, the psychopharmacological effects of VG have not been characterized. Thus, in the present study we screened the psychopharmacological activities of VG in mice. Methods: VG extract (VGE) was orally administered to mice at various dosages to evaluate its psychomotor (open-field and rota-rod tests), sedative-hypnotic (pentobarbital-induced sleeping test), anti-stress (cold swimming test), anxiolytic (elevated plus-maze test), and cognitive (Y-maze and passive-avoidance tests) effects. Results: VGE treatment increased the spontaneous locomotor activity, enhanced the endurance to stress, reduced the anxiety-like behavior, and ameliorated the scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. In addition, VGE treatment did not alter the motor balance and coordination of mice and did not potentiate pentobarbital-induced sleep, indicating that VGE has no sedative-hypnotic effects. The effects of VGE were comparable to those of the Korean Red Ginseng extract. Conclusion: VG, like other ginseng products, has significant and potentially useful psychopharmacological effects. This includes, but is not limited to, psychomotor stimulation, anxiolytic, antistress, and memory enhancing 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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• 2002.10a
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• pp.253-261
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• 2002

To follow the metabolic fate of aglycone of ginseng saponins,in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed. Incubation of 20(S)-prtopanaxatriol (1) with rat liver S9 fraction afforded unique ocotillol derivatives, 20, 24-epoxysides (3 and 4). Also 20(S)-prtopanaxadiol (2) gave the corresponding epoxides (5). Healthy volunteers were taken with Sanchi Ginseng, which contains protopanaxatriol and protopanaxadiol saponins and no ocotillol saponins. From the alkaline hydrolysate of the urine samples of these volunteers,3 was detected as well as 1, and the ratio of 3/1 increased up to 2.0 at the maximum at 50 hrs. Biochemical significance of the ocotillol derivatives is discussed, since the main bioactive saponin in Panax vietnamensis is an ocotillol-type saponin, majonoside R2 (7).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.44-53
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• 2023

Background: The genus Panax in the Araliaceae family has been used as traditional medicinal plants worldwide and is known to biosynthesize ginsenosides and phytosterols. However, genetic variation between Panax species has influenced their biosynthetic pathways is not fully understood. Methods: Simultaneous analysis of transcriptomes and metabolomes obtained from adventitious roots of two tetraploid species (Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius) and two diploid species (P. notoginseng and P. vietnamensis) revealed the diversity of their metabolites and related gene expression profiles. Results: The transcriptome analysis showed that 2,3-OXIDOSQUALENE CYCLASEs (OSCs) involved in phytosterol biosynthesis are upregulated in the diploid species, while the expression of OSCs contributing to ginsenoside biosynthesis is higher in the tetraploid species. In agreement with these results, the contents of dammarenediol-type ginsenosides were higher in the tetraploid species relative to the diploid species. Conclusion: These results suggest that a whole-genome duplication event has influenced the triterpene biosynthesis pathway in tetraploid Panax species during their evolution or ecological adaptation. This study provides a basis for further efforts to explore the genetic variation of the Panax genus.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.274-278
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• 2015

Background: Steaming of ginseng is known to change its chemical composition and biological activity. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different steaming time-scales on chemical constituents and antiproliferative activity of Vietnamese ginseng (VG). Methods: VG was steamed at $105^{\circ}C$ for 2-20 h. Its saponin constituents and antiproliferative activity were studied. The similarity of chemical compositions between steamed samples at $105^{\circ}C$ and $120^{\circ}C$ were compared. Results: Most protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol ginsenosides lost the sugar moiety at the C-20 position with 10-14 h steaming at $105^{\circ}C$ and changed to their less polar analogues. However, ocotillol (OCT) ginsenosides were reasonably stable to steaming process. Antiproliferative activity against A549 lung cancer cells was increased on steaming and reached its plateau after 12 h steaming. Conclusion: Steaming VG at $105^{\circ}C$ showed a similar tendency of chemical degradation to the steaming VG at $120^{\circ}C$ except the slower rate of reaction. Its rate was about one-third of the steaming at $120^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.154-159
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• 2014

Background: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the steaming process on chemical constituents, free radical scavenging activity, and antiproliferative effect of Vietnamese ginseng. Methods: Samples of powdered Vietnamese ginseng were steamed at $120^{\circ}C$ for various times and thei extracts were subjected to chemical and biological studies. Results: Upon steaming, contents of polar ginsenosides, such as Rb1, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg1, were rapidly decreased, whereas less polar ginsenosides such as Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rk3, and Rh4 were increased as reported previously. However, ocotillol type saponins, which have no glycosyl moiety at the C-20 position, were relatively stable on steaming. The radical scavenging activity was increased continuously up to 20 h of steaming. Similarly, the antiproliferative activity against A549 lung cancer cells was also increased. Conclusion: It seems that the antiproliferative activity is closely related to the contents of ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1.