• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.396-402
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• 2012

Vaccination is the main strategy for preventing influenza infection. However, vaccine efficacy is influenced by several factors, including age and health status. The efficacy of the influenza vaccine is much lower (17% to 53%) in individuals over 65 yr of age compared with young adults (70% to 90%). Therefore, increasing vaccine efficacy remains a challenge for the influenza vaccine field. In this study, we investigated the impact of supplementing vaccination with the dietary intake of Korean red ginseng (RG) extract and RG saponin. Mice were immunized two times intranasally with inactivated influenza A (H1N1) virus. Mice received RG extract or RG saponin orally for 14 d prior to the primary immunization. After the primary immunization, mice continued to receive RG extract or RG saponin until the secondary immunization. Mice vaccinated in combination with dietary intake of RG extract and RG saponin showed elevated serum anti-influenza A virus IgG titers and improved survival rates in lethal influenza A virus infection: 56% and 63% of mice receiving RG extract or RG saponin survived, respectively, while 38% of mice that only received the vaccine survived. Moreover, mice receiving RG extract supplementation recovered their body weight more quickly than those not receiving RG extract supplementation. We propose that the dietary intake of RG extract and RG saponin enhances the vaccine-induced immune response and aids in providing protection against influenza virus infection.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 2023

Malic acid-catalyzed transformation has been developed to produce ginsenoside Rg3 which is increasingly in demand as a functional ingredient. The optimization of the conversion of red ginseng saponin (RGS) to ginsenoside Rg3 by acid catalyzed transformation was carried out using Box-Behnken design (BBD) based on Response Surface Analysis (RSM). The main independent variables were malic acid concentration, temperature, and reaction time. Conversion of ginsenoside Rg3 was performed according to BBD model and optimization conditions were analyzed. The concentration of the converted ginsenoside Rg3 ranged from 1.548 mg/L to 4.558 mg/L, and the highest production was obtained under the condition of reacting 1% malic acid, 50 ℃ and 9h. Consequently, The independent variables affecting the production of ginsenoside Rg3 were identified in the following order: malic acid concentration, reaction time and temperature. In addition, it was confirmed that the interaction between malic acid concentration and reaction time had a greater influence than the temperature.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2017

Most of the red ginseng (RG) products contain active substances derived from hot water or alcohol extraction. Since active substances of RG are divided into two types - water-soluble and liposoluble - water or alcohol is needed as an extraction solvent and this leads the different extraction yields and components of the active substances. To overcome the limit, whole red ginseng powder can be used and consumed by consumers. In this study, the physicochemical properties and extractable active substance contents of variable-sized RG powder ($158.00{\mu}m$, $8.45{\mu}m$, and $6.33{\mu}m$) were analyzed, and dispersion stability was measured to investigate the suitable size of RG powder for industrial processing. In the results, no significant difference was found from the changes in color intensity and thiobarbutric acid tests at $4^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, and $40^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks. There was no significant difference on the production of antioxidants and ginsenoside among the samples (p>0.05). In dispersion stability, $RG-158.00{\mu}m$ was precipitated immediately, and the dispersion stabilities between $RG-8.45{\mu}m$ and $RG-6.33{\mu}m$ showed no significant difference. It implies that fine RG is suitable for the production process. With further study, it seemed that the physicochemical effects of RG particle sizes can be clearly revealed.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2006

Thirty-nine strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and 5 strains of C. acutatum stored in Korean Agricultural Culture Collection(KACC) were re-identified based on molecular characteristics of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer(ITS) and partial $\beta$-tubulin gene and cultural characteristics on potato dextrose agar(PDA) and Benomyl-added PDA. As the results, 19 strains were identified as C. acutatum with 13 strains of group A2, 5 strains of group A3, and 1 strain of group A4. In addition, 20 strains were identified as C. gloeosporioides with 18 strains of ribosomal DNA group(RG) 4 and 2 strains of RG6. The rest were identified as C. boninense RG5(2 strains), C. coccodes RG2(2 strains), and C. dematium RG12(1 strain). Out of domestic 31 strains, 12 strains were identified as C. acutatum A2, one strain as C. acutatum A3, 14 strains as C. gloeosporioides RG4, 2 strains as C. gloeosporioides RG6, one strains as C. boninense RG5 and one strain as C. dematium RG12. We also discussed taxonomy of C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum and composition of C. gloeosporioides/C. acutatum isolates from major crops in Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1001-1005
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• 2014

Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the active ingredients extracted from red ginseng, and it is an effective chemical component of the human body and well known in herbal medicine as a restorative agent. Several studies have shown that Rg3 has a potent anti-tumor effect on various cancer cell lines. However, Rg3-induced apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cancer cells is not well understood. In the present study, we tested whether ginsenoside Rg3 could induce apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells. We found that Rg3 could inhibit B16F10 melanoma cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, but not normal cells, such as EA.hy.926 and NIH3T3 cells. We also found that Rg3 could induce apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells using tunnel-staining assay in a dose-dependent manner. Rg3 treatment induces the phosphorylation of p38 and the expression of Bax, but it inhibits the expressions of the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase Bcl2 and pro-caspase3. Taken together, our data suggest that Rg3 could be useful as an anti-cancer agent in B16F10 melanoma cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.132-140
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• 1997

The effects of ginsenosides purified from red ginseng on platelet aggregation were investigated. Preincubation of washed platelets from rats with either ginsenoside Rg3, ginsenosides non-polar fraction (G-NPF), ginsenoside Rg1(Rg1) or ginsenosides polar fraction(G-PF) reduced the plytelet aggrelation induced by collagen in a dose-dependent manner, whereas ginsenoside Rg2 failed to inhibit the aggregation. Their IC50 values of Rg3, G-NPF, Rgl, and G-PF were 8.7$\pm$1.0, 150.3$\pm$0.1, 369.9$\pm$ 1.0, 606.211.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. Aggrelation induced by thrombin was also inhibited by Rg3 and G-NPF with IC50 being 5.2$\pm$ 1.1 and 66.5$\pm$0.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. The alterations of Intracellular Ca2+ concentration in platelets were monitored using fura-2 as a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Both Ca2+ release from internal stores and Ca2+ influx into cytosol were suppressed by Rg3. Rg3 also inhibited granular release of ATP and TXA2 formation induced by thrombin in a dose-dependent manner in the washed platelets. Rg3 also inhibited Aggregation and ATP release from human platelets induced by collagen to a similar extent as were observed in rat platelets. In conclusion, Rg3 is a Potent anti-aggregating component in ginsenosides and may exert its anti-aggrega1ing activity by decreasing TXAa formation and granular secretion in platelets, most likely by inhibiting Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. Thus ginseng may contribute to the prevention and treatment of thrombosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 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
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.717-724
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• 2020

Background: Malignant arrhythmias require drug therapy. However, most of the currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have significant side effects. Ginsenoside Rg2 exhibits excellent cardioprotective effects and appears to be a promising candidate for cardiovascular drug development. So far, the oral toxicity and antiarrhythmic effects of Rg2 have not been evaluated. Methods: Acute oral toxicity of Rg2 was assessed by the Limit Test method in mice. Subchronic oral toxicity was determined by repeated dose 28-day toxicity study in rats. Antiarrhythmic activities of Rg2 were evaluated in calcium chloride-induced arrhythmic rats. Antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 was investigated in arrhythmic rats and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results: The results of toxicity studies indicated that Rg2 exhibited no single-dose (10 g/kg) acute oral toxicity. And 28-day repeated dose treatment with Rg2 (1.75, 3.5 and 5 g/kg/d) demonstrated minimal, if any, subchronic toxicity. Serum biochemical examination showed that total cholesterol in the high-dose cohort was dramatically decreased, whereas prothrombin time was increased at Day 28, suggesting that Rg2 might regulate lipid metabolism and have a potential anticoagulant effect. Moreover, pretreatment with Rg2 showed antiarrhythmic effects on the rat model of calcium chloride induced arrhythmia, in terms of the reduced duration time, mortality, and incidence of malignant arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 might be the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels by suppressing the phosphorylation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Conclusion: Our findings support the development of Rg2 as a promising antiarrhythmic drug with fewer side effects for clinical use.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.610-616
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• 2021

Background: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) acts as a master switch for inflammatory responses. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) which is an active ingredient of Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae) is known to possess various therapeutic effects. However, a modulatory effect of Rg3 on TSLP expression in the inflammatory responses remains poorly understood. Methods: We investigated antiinflammatory effects of Rg3 on an in vitro model using HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA plus calcium ionophore (PMACI), as well as an in vivo model using PMA-induced mouse ear edema. TSLP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or real-time PCR analysis. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) expression levels were detected using Western blot analysis. Results: Rg3 treatment restrained the production and mRNA expression levels of TSLP and VEGF in activated HMC-1 cells. Rg3 down-regulated the MDM2 expression level increased by PMACI stimulation. The HIF1α expression level was also reduced by Rg3 in activated HMC-1 cells. In addition, Rg3-administered mice showed the decreased redness and ear thickness in PMA-irritated ear edema. Rg3 inhibited the TSLP and VEGF levels in the serum and ear tissue homogenate. Moreover, the MDM2 and HIF1α expression levels in the ear tissue homogenate were suppressed by Rg3. Conclusion: Taken together, the current study identifies new mechanistic evidence about MDM2/HIF1α pathway in the antiinflammatory effect of Rg3, providing a new effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of skin inflammatory diseases.

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