• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.194-202
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• 2014

Background: Ginsenosides, the major ingredients of Panax ginseng, have been studied for many decades in Asian countries as a result of their wide range of pharmacological properties. The less polar ginsenosides, with one or two sugar residues, are not present in nature and are produced during manufacturing processes by methods such as heating, steaming, acid hydrolysis, and enzyme reactions. $^1H$-NMR and $^{13}C$-NMR spectroscopic data for the identification of the less polar ginsenosides are often unavailable or incomplete. Methods: We isolated 21 compounds, including 10 pairs of 20(S) and 20(R) less polar ginsenosides (1-20), and an oleanane-type triterpene (21) from a processed ginseng preparation and obtained complete $^1H$-NMR and $^{13}C$-NMR spectroscopic data for the following compounds, referred to as compounds 1-21 for rapid identification: 20(S)-ginsenosides Rh2 (1), 20(R)-Rh2 (2), 20(S)-Rg3 (3), 20(R)-Rg3 (4), 6'-O-acetyl-20(S)-Rh2 [20(S)-AcetylRh2] (5), 20(R)-AcetylRh2 (6), 25-hydroxy-20(S)-Rh2 (7), 25-hydroxy-20(S)-Rh2 (8), 20(S)-Rh1 (9), 20(R)-Rh1 (10), 20(S)-Rg2 (11), 20(R)-Rg2 (12), 25-hydroxy-20(S)-Rh1 (13), 25-hydroxy-20(R)-Rh1 (14), 20(S)-AcetylRg2 (15), 20(R)-AcetylRg2 (16), Rh4 (17), Rg5 (18), Rk1 (19), 25-hydroxy-Rh4 (20), and oleanolic acid 28-O-b-D-glucopyranoside (21).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2017

Background: Nephrotoxicity is the major side effect in cisplatin chemotherapy. Previously, we reported that the ginsenosides Rk3 and Rh4 reduced cisplatin toxicity on porcine renal proximal epithelial tubular cells (LLC-PK1). Here, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of ginsenosides Rk3 and Rh4 on kidney function and elucidate their antioxidant effect using in vitro and in vivo models of cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. Methods: An enriched mixture of ginsenosides Rk3 and Rh4 (KG-KH; 49.3% and 43.1%, respectively) was purified from sun ginseng (heat processed Panax ginseng). Cytotoxicity was induced by treatment of $20{\mu}M$ cisplatin to LLC-PK1 cells and rat model of acute renal failure was generated by single intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg cisplatin. Protective effects were assessed by determining cell viability, reactive oxygen species generation, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, antioxidant enzyme activity, and histopathological examination. Results: The in vitro assay demonstrated that KG-KH ($50{\mu}g/mL$) significantly increased cell viability (4.6-fold), superoxide dismutase activity (2.8-fold), and glutathione reductase activity (1.5-fold), but reduced reactive oxygen species generation (56%) compared to cisplatin control cells. KG-KH (6 mg/kg, per os) also significantly inhibited renal edema (87% kidney index) and dysfunction (71.4% blood urea nitrogen, 67.4% creatinine) compared to cisplatin control rats. Of note, KG-KH significantly recovered the kidney levels of catalase (1.2-fold) and superoxide dismutase (1.5-fold). Conclusion: Considering the oxidative injury as an early trigger of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, our findings suggest that ginsenosides Rk3 and Rh4 protect the kidney from cisplatin-induced oxidative injury and help to recover renal function by restoring intrinsic antioxidant defenses.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.572-577
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• 2017

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is cultivated because of its medicinal effects on the immune system, blood pressure, and cancer. Major ginsenosides in fresh ginseng are converted to minor ginsenosides by structural changes such as hydrolysis and dehydration. The transformed ginsenosides are generally more bioavailable and bioactive than the primary ginsenosides. Therefore, in this study, hydrothermal processing was applied to ginseng preparation to increase the yields of the transformed ginsenosides, such as 20(S)-Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5, and enhance antioxidant activities in an effective way. Methods: Ginseng extract was hydrothermally processed using batch reactors at $100-160^{\circ}C$ with differing reaction times. Quantitative analysis of the ginsenoside yields was performed using HPLC, and the antioxidant activity was qualitatively analyzed by evaluating 2,2'-azino-bis radical cation scavenging, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, and phenolic antioxidants. Red ginseng and sun ginseng were prepared by conventional steaming as the control group. Results: Unlike steaming, the hydrothermal process was performed under homogeneous conditions. Chemical reaction, heat transfer, and mass transfer are generally more efficient in homogeneous reactions. Therefore, maximum yields for the hydrothermal process were 2.5-25 times higher than those for steaming, and the antioxidant activities showed 1.6-4-fold increases for the hydrothermal process. Moreover, the reaction time was decreased from 3 h to 15-35 min using hydrothermal processing. Conclusion: Therefore, hydrothermal processing offers significant improvements over the conventional steaming process. In particular, at temperatures over $140^{\circ}C$, high yields of the transformed ginsenosides and increased antioxidant activities were obtained in tens of minutes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.222-229
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• 2007

Changes on physicochemical properties of fresh Korean ginseng during repeated 9 times steaming processes, steaming $90{\sim}95^{\circ}C$ for $1{\sim}3\;hr$ followed by hot air-drying at $50^{\circ}C$ for $36{\sim}48\;hr$, were investigated. The water contents decreased from 73.4% of fresh ginseng to 13.7% finally. The final yields in bases of total weights and dry matter were 21.0% and 79.0%, respectively. As the times of steaming processes increased, lightness (L value) decreased and redness (a value) increased in color of ginseng powder. Browning index also rapidly increased after 3 times of steaming process in particular. Total water soluble sugar contents decreased from 55.4% in fresh to 38.6% in final processed ginseng, but acidic polysaccharide contents increased by about 50% with increasing times of steaming process. Total phenolic compound contents significantly increased with repeated steaming processes especially after 5 times of steaming processes and crude saponin contents also increased in some degree. In the case of major ginsenosides, the contents of $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, $Rg_1$, Re (representative ginsenosides in fresh ginseng) decreased, but those of $Rg_2$, $Rh_1$, $Rg_3$ (unique ginsenosides in red ginseng) increased after especially 5 times of steaming processes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2003

The six-year old fresh ginseng collected at earlier October was stored for 10 weeks in the condition of 4$^{\circ}C$${\pm}$1$^{\circ}C$ and RH 87∼92%, and the chemical components were investigated in an interval oi one week by taking sample of it after making it to the freeze-dryed ginseng and the red ginseng. The total sugar content of the red ginseng was a little reduced as the period of storage elapsed, and the reducing sugar content was 1.48eic before it was stored and was increased to 23.33% after 10 weeks of storage. For the free sugar of the red ginseng, the content of the fructose was increased, bit the contents of the glucose and the sucrose were gradually decreased after it was a little increased. The content of the maltese was 6.62% before storage and it was gradually decreased. For the free sugar of the freeze-dryed ginseng, the contents of the fructose, the glucose and the sucrose were increased. Especially the content of the sucrose was 10.96% before it was stored and was a increased to 24.38% after 7 weeks of storage, and the content of maltose was not detected. The yield of water extract was a little high at 7-8 weeks of storage and the pH was a little high at 3-4 weeks of storage. The turbidity was not changed for the freeze-dryed ginseng but was decreased for the red ginseng The water non-soluble protein was not detected in the red ginseng, and for the freeze-dryed ginseng the water non-soluble protein was reduced and the water soluble protein was increased as the period of storage was elapsed. The contents of the phenolic compounds for the red ginseng and the freeze-dryed ginseng and have their peak values after 7 and 9 weeks of storage respectively, and the amount of phenolic compounds was larger for the red ginseng. For the content of the non-volatile organic acids, the content of the citric acid was decreased both for the red ginseng and the freeze-dryed ginseng, and the contents of the glut-matic acid and the pyruvic acid were very small for the freeze-dryed ginseng, but were detected in the red ginseng at a maximum value of 37 ${\mu}$g/g and 592 ${\mu}$g/g respectively.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.254.3-255
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• 2000

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.19-34
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• 2018

This study was initiated because many studies would be necessary to promote Korean ginseng products when the sales of Korean ginseng are declining and many Korean ginseng farmers are facing economic difficulties. The increase in domestic sales is important, but this study is targeting for foreigner's perceptions of Korean ginseng and how to improve the products. The goal of this study is to analyze how to increase their purchase intentions of Korean ginseng products. Questionnaire survey research methods were used to learn more about making certain improvements to ginseng products, consumers are hoping, how affect their perceptions and purchase intentions of Korean ginseng, as well as how foreigners' perceptions of Korean ginseng products affects purchase intentions. Because it's difficult to find any studies about foreigner's Korean ginseng purchase intentions, the survey was expanded to include how people take care of their health, the accessibility of purchasing ginseng products, psychological factors as well as consumer characteristics, satisfaction with Korean ginseng, and intentions of buying Korean ginseng products. The result of the analysis on how making certain desired improvements to and perceptions of Korean ginseng products affect purchase intentions indicated that Korean ginseng perceptions highly affected the purchase intentions; however making certain improvements to ginseng products showed a low impact on the purchase intentions. In other words, making certain improvements, such as convenience of the ginseng products, doesn't affected Korean ginseng purchase intentions directly. On the other hand, it showed that the usefulness, its high quality, and safety trust of Korean ginseng have a big impact on purchasing intentions. If the ginseng that is grown and processed in Korea is better promoted for its high value, the Korean ginseng farmers who are facing many economic difficulties will be able to raise their income.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.377-384
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• 2003

Genetic differences among nine land races of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) were examined using RAPD markers. Land races of Korean ginseng were collected from nine regions in Korea: Cheongwon, Guesan, Geumsan, Namwon, Pochun, Yangju, Yeoncheon, Yeongju. Out of 48 RAPD primers tested, 5 primers (OPA 7, OPA 13, URP 2, URP 3 and UBC 3) produced remarkable bands which showing polymorphisms among evaluated collections. Lower levels of genetic diversity were in detected same land races than among other land races. Genetic differences within and among land races indicate heterogeneity. These results indicate that cultivated ginseng in Korea is heterogeneous. Genetic similarity matrices of RAPD profiles were generated via coefficients of variation and the data were processed by the cluster analysis (UPGMA). When 90 collections were evaluated using selected 5 primers, those were clustered to 5 and 3 subgroups. These differences in genetic variation between land races of Korean ginseng implied the potential source for further breeding of Korean ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.425-434
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• 2013

UV irradiation is the main factor contributing to skin damages that are associated with an excessive production of matrix-degrading metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and a deficient expression of collagens. To date, red ginseng has been revealed to possess many biomedical effects, such as anti-aging, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammatory. In this study, we prepared the Korean Red Ginseng extracts treated with enzyme (KRGE) and investigated the effects of dietary KRGE on the formation of wrinkles generated by UVB irradiation in hairless mice. It was found that KRGE inhibited the UVB-induced formation of wrinkles, epidermal thickness, and skin dryness in hairless mice. Further results also showed that KRGE attenuated UVB-induced MMP-${\beta}$1 level, while accelerated procollagen type I, transforming growth factor-${\beta}$1 secretion. Interestingly, the expression of profilaggrin and filaggrin in both the epidermis and dermis were decreased due to UVB exposure and reversed by KRGE. The KRGE 0.06% was prior to KRGE 0.24%. In view of these results, which indicated that KRGE protected skin from UVB-induced photodamages, which may not only mediated by regulating of MMP-1 and procollagen type I, but also by increasing the production of profilaggrin and filaggrin. In conclusion, our results suggest that KRGE may be a promising agent for the treatment of skin photodamages. The challenge of KRGE will be expected as cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals in order to intervene in aging-related degenerative skin changes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.1005-1010
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the steaming and wet grinding conditions to save effective compositions and to utilize whole roots of ginseng. The sweetness at the 3 different steaming conditions of non steaming group (A), $95^{\circ}C$/3 hr group (B) and $121^{\circ}C$/15 min group (C) resulted in 7.7, 10.7 and $11.2^{\circ}Brix$, and the browning intensity of 0.37, 1.97 and 1.50, respectively. The contents of crude saponin at the different steam heat treatments were 7.19 (A), 6.99 (B) and 8.83 mg/g (C). When sensory evaluation was conducted, the ginseng products processed at C condition showed the highest scores in the evaluation categories of bitter taste reduction, sweetness and overall acceptance. These results suggest that sensory characteristics of ginseng could be enhanced by the steam heat treatments. When the wet grinding with water addition volume to the steamed ginseng treated at $121^{\circ}C$ for 15 min was also investigated, the smallest particle size resulted from the water addition volume of 300%. The grinding efficiency of ginseng was found to be high at 30 min of grinding time and 3 times of grinding frequency with the mean particle size of $67.66\;{\mu}m$. The content of effective component did not show significant differences by grinding time and grinding frequency. Based on the results, the steam heat treatments ($121^{\circ}C$/15 min) and wet grinding procedures were found to be effective in utilizing whole roots and saving the effective compositions of ginseng.