• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.102-106
• /
• 2012

This study compared the contents of ginsenosides depending on steaming conditions of red ginsengs to provide basic information for developing functional foods using red ginsengs. The red ginseng steamed eight times at $98^{\circ}C$ ranked atop the amounts of prosapogenins ever detected in red ginsengs (ginsenoside $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rg_6$, $Rh_1$, $Rh_4$, $Rk_1$, $Rk_3$, $F_1$, $F_4$, 1.15%) among red ginsengs steamed more than twice. When steamed eight times at $98^{\circ}C$, 2.7 times as much prosapogenins such as ginsenosides $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rg_6$, $Rh_1$, $Rh_4$, $Rk_1$, $Rk_3$, $F_1$, and $F_4$ as those steamed just once at $98^{\circ}C$ was collected. In addition, the red ginsengs steamed eight times at $98^{\circ}C$ contained more amounting ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (0.28%) than that in the red ginseng steamed several times at random. Accordingly, it is recommendable that red ginsengs steamed 8 times, which proved to be the optimal steaming condition, be used rather than those steamed 9 times (black ginsengs), in order to develop red ginseng products of high prosapogenin concentration and high functions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.405-416
• /
• 2024

Background: Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is the main pathological change in vascular remodeling, a complex cardiopulmonary disease caused by hypoxia. Some research results have shown that ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) can improve vascular remodeling, but the effect and mechanism of Rg1 on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension are not clear. The purpose of this study was to discuss the potential mechanism of action of Rg1 on HPH. Methods: C57BL/6 mice, calpain-1 knockout mice and Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were exposed to a low oxygen environment with or without different treatments. The effect of Rg1 and calpain-1 silencing on inflammation, fibrosis, proliferation and the protein expression levels of calpain-1, STAT3 and p-STAT3 were determined at the animal and cellular levels. Results: At the mouse and cellular levels, hypoxia promotes inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation, and the expression of calpain-1 and p-STAT3 is also increased. Ginsenoside Rg1 administration and calpain-1 knockdown, MDL-28170, and HY-13818 treatment showed protective effects on hypoxia-induced inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation, which may be associated with the downregulation of calpain-1 and p-STAT3 expression in mice and cells. In addition, overexpression of calpain 1 increased p-STAT3 expression, accelerating the onset of inflammation, fibrosis and cell proliferation in hypoxic PASMCs. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 may ameliorate hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling by suppressing the calpain-1/STAT3 signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.508-512
• /
• 2005

Ginsenoside composition and contents of Korean white and taegeuk ginsengs were investigated to establish Chinese pharmaceutical standards for import of Korean ginseng. Total ginsenoside-Rg1, Re, and Rb1 of all Korean white and taegeuk ginseng samples were higher than guideline of Chinese standard of 0.4%, $Mean{\pm}S.D.$ values of Rg1, Re, and Rb1 of Korean white ginseng were $232.7{\pm}110.2,\;235.3{\pm}101.5,\;and\;280.1{\pm}121.3\;mg%$, respectively. Ratio of Rg1 to Re of Korean white ginseng was 1.02. $Mean{\pm}S.D.$ values of Rg1, Re, and Rb1 of Korean taeguek ginseng were $262.1{\pm}127.2,\;213.1{\pm}55.7,\;and\;279.9{\pm}92.1\;mg%$, respectively.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 1978

A procedure of $^3H$-radio labeling synthesis for the dammarane triterpene glycosides of Korean ginseng was established by using the ginsenoside $Rg_1$ as starting material. The protons in $C-{11}$ and $C_{13}$ of the aglycone moiety of the glycoside were exchanged with tritium by keto-enol tautomerization of 12-keto-ginsenoside $Rg_1$ which was prepared by partial acetylation, Sarett oxidation and saponification, producing nona-acetate, nonaside $Rg_1$. The acety1-ketone and 12-keto-derivative of ginsenotritated ketone was reduced by metallic sodium and isoproponol to produce the end product $^3H$-ginsenoside $Rg_1$ with 3% radio-chemical recovery in one experiment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.235-247
• /
• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the main active ingredients in ginseng. Here, we aimed to confirm its protective effect on the heart function in transverse aortic coarctation (TAC)-induced heart failure mice and explore the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on heart and mitochondrial function were investigated by treating TAC-induced heart failure in mice. The mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 for improving heart and mitochondrial function in mice with heart failure was predicted through integrative analysis of the proteome and plasma metabolome. Glucose uptake and myocardial insulin sensitivity were evaluated using micro-positron emission tomography. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on myocardial insulin sensitivity was clarified by combining in vivo animal experiments and in vitro cell experiments. Results: Treatment of TAC-induced mouse models with ginsenoside Rg3 significantly improved heart function and protected mitochondrial structure and function. Fusion of metabolomics, proteomics, and targeted metabolomics data showed that Rg3 regulated the glycolysis process, and Rg3 not only regulated glucose uptake but also improve myocardial insulin resistance. The molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 regulation of glucose metabolism was determined by exploring the interaction pathways of AMPK, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on the promotion of glucose uptake in IR-H9c2 cells by AMPK activation was dependent on the insulin signaling pathway. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rg3 modulates glucose metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance through activation of the AMPK pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2016

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disease, for which there is no effective drug therapy at present. Ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) and G-Rg2 have been reported to alleviate memory deterioration. However, the mechanism of their anti-AD effect has not yet been clearly elucidated. Methods: Ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem MS (UPLC/MS)-based metabolomics was used to identify metabolites that are differentially expressed in the brains of AD mice with or without ginsenoside treatment. The cognitive function of mice and pathological changes in the brain were also assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: The impaired cognitive function and increased hippocampal $A{\beta}$ deposition in AD mice were ameliorated by G-Rg1 and G-Rg2. In addition, a total of 11 potential biomarkers that are associated with the metabolism of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), hypoxanthine, and sphingolipids were identified in the brains of AD mice and their levels were partly restored after treatment with G-Rg1 and G-Rg2. G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 treatment influenced the levels of hypoxanthine, dihydrosphingosine, hexadecasphinganine, LPC C 16:0, and LPC C 18:0 in AD mice. Additionally, G-Rg1 treatment also influenced the levels of phytosphingosine, LPC C 13:0, LPC C 15:0, LPC C 18:1, and LPC C 18:3 in AD mice. Conclusion: These results indicate that the improvements in cognitive function and morphological changes produced by G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 treatment are caused by regulation of related brain metabolic pathways. This will extend our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the effects of G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 on AD.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.223-230
• /
• 2014

This study was performed to enhance contents of low molecular ginsenoside using steaming and fermentation process in low quality fresh ginseng. For increase in contents of Rg2, Rg3, Rh2 and CK in low quality fresh ginseng, a steaming process was applied at $90^{\circ}C$ for 12 hr which was followed by fermentation process at Lactobacillus rhamnosus HK-9 incubated at $36^{\circ}C$ for 72 h. The contents of ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Rc, Re and Rd were decreased with the steaming associated with fermentation process but ginsenoside Rg2, Rg3, Rh2 and CK increased after process. It was found that under the steaming associated with fermentation process, low molecule ginsenosides such as Rg2, Rg3, Rh2 and CK were increased as 3.231 mg/g, 2.585 mg/g and 1.955 m/g and 2.478 mg/g, respectively. In addition, concentration of benzo[${\alpha}$]pyrene in extracts of the low quality fresh ginseng treated by the complex process was 0.11 ppm but it was 0.22 ppm when it was treated with the steaming process. This result could be caused by that the most efficiently breakdown of 1,2-glucoside and 1,4-glucoside linkage to backbone of ginsenosides by steaming associated with fermentation process. This results indicate that steaming process and fermenration process can increase in contents of Rg2, Rg3, Rh2 and CK in low quality fresh ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.140-146
• /
• 1998

It was founded that an X-compound is contained in extracts from the root of old red ginseng (6RG) compared with that from the root of 4-year old red ginseng(4RG). Both water extract and petroleum ether extract (PEII) from 6RG or 4RG inhibited the release of [$^{3}H$]-serotonin induced by platelet activating factor (PAF; 40 ng/ml). Water extract and PEll from 6RG Inhibited potently PAF-induced [$^{3}H$]-serotonin release compared with those from 4RG. X-compound out of both water extract and PEll from 6RG inhibited the release of [$^{3}H$]-serotonin inducted by collagen (100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) or thrombin(20 U/ml). X-compound had a synergistic effect with water extract from 4RG on collagen-and thrombin-induced [3H] -serotonin release out of human platelets. The concentration(IC50) of X-compound that require to inhibit 50% of [$^{3}H$]-serotonin-release was 3.25 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, and it is inferred that maximum concentration of X-compound that inhibits the release of [$^{3}H$]-serotonin is 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml. Because thrombosis is resulted mainly from the irreversible aggregations which are intimately related with the serotonin release and migraine is also caused when serotonin is released, it is inferred that water extract, PEII and X-compound from 6RG have antithrombosis and antimigrainous functions by inhibiting the release of serotonin from human platelets.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.125-134
• /
• 2015

Background: Black ginseng (Ginseng Radix nigra, BG) refers to the ginseng steamed for nine times and fine roots (hairy roots) of that is called fine black ginseng (FBG). It is known that the content of saponin of FBG is higher than that of BG. Therefore, in this study, we examined antitumor effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells to target the FBG extract and its main component, ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5). Methods: Action mechanism was determined by MTT assay, cell cycle assay and western blot analysis. Results: The results from MTT assay showed that MCF-7 cell proliferation was inhibited by Rg5 treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h in a dose-dependent manner. Rg5 at different concentrations (0, 25, 50 and $100{\mu}M$), induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase through regulation of cell cycle-related proteins in MCF-7 cells. As shown in the results from western blot analysis, Rg5 increased expression of p53, $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ and $p15^{INK4B}$ and decreased expression of Cyclin D1, Cyclin E2 and CDK4. Expression of apoptosiserelated proteins including Bax, PARP and Cytochrome c was also regulated by Rg5. These results indicate that Rg5 stimulated cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase via regulation of cell cycle-associated proteins in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Rg5 promotes breast cancer cell apoptosis in a multi-path manner with higher potency compared to 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) in MCF-7 (HER2/ER+) and MDA-MB-453 (HER2+/ER) human breast cancer cell lines, and this suggests that Rg5 might be an effective natural new material in improving breast cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.475-481
• /
• 2019

Background: The ginsenoside Rg1 has been shown to exert various pharmacological activities with health benefits. Previously, we have reported that Rg1 promoted myogenic differentiation and myotube growth in C2C12 myoblasts. In this study, the in vivo effect of Rg1 on fiber-type composition and oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle was examined. Methods: To examine the effect of Rg1 on skeletal muscle, 3-month-old mice were treated with Rg1 for 5 weeks. To assess muscle strength, grip strength tests were performed, and the lower hind limb muscles were harvested, followed by various detailed analysis, such as histological staining, immunoblotting, immunostaining, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In addition, to verify the in vivo data, primary myoblasts isolated from mice were treated with Rg1, and the Rg1 effect on myotube growth was examined by immunoblotting and immunostaining analysis. Results: Rg1 treatment increased the expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms characteristic for both oxidative and glycolytic muscle fibers; increased myofiber sizes were accompanied by enhanced muscle strength. Rg1 treatment also enhanced oxidative muscle metabolism with elevated oxidative phosphorylation proteins. Furthermore, Rg1-treated muscles exhibited increased levels of anabolic S6 kinase signaling. Conclusion: Rg1 improves muscle functionality via enhancing muscle gene expression and oxidative muscle metabolism in mice.