• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.433-441
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• 2021

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are primarily characterized as dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Ginsenoside-Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-KRGE) is known to exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects on neurological disorders. However, effects of Rg3-KRGE in EAE remain unclear. Methods: Here, we investigated whether Rg3-KRGE may improve the symptoms and pathological features of myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein (MOG)_35-55 peptide - induced chronic EAE mice through improving the integrity of the BBB. Results: Rg3-KRGE decreased EAE score and spinal demyelination. Rg3-KRGE inhibited Evan's blue dye leakage in spinal cord, suppressed increases of adhesion molecule platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, extracellular matrix proteins fibronection, and matrix metallopeptidase-9, and prevented decreases of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, claudin-3, and claudin-5 in spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE repressed increases of proinflammatory transcripts cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but enhanced expression levels of anti-inflammatory transcripts arginase-1 and IL-10 in the spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE inhibited the expression of oxidative stress markers (MitoSOX and 4-hydroxynonenal), the enhancement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NOX4, and NADPH activity in the spinal cord of chronic EAE mice. Furthermore, apocynin, a NOX inhibitor, mimicked beneficial effects of Rg3-KRGE in chronic EAE mice. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Rg3-KRGE might alleviate behavioral symptoms and pathological features of MS by improving BBB integrity through modulation of NOX2/4 expression.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.726-734
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• 2023

Background: Skeletal muscles play a key role in physical activity and energy metabolism. The loss of skeletal muscle mass can cause problems related to metabolism and physical activity. Studies are being conducted to prevent such diseases by increasing the mass and regeneration capacity of muscles. Ginsenoside Rg5 has been reported to exhibit a broad range of pharmacological activities. However, studies on the effects of Rg5 on muscle differentiation and growth are scarce. Methods: To investigate the effects of Rg5 on myogenesis, C2C12 myoblasts were induced to differentiate with Rg5, followed by immunoblotting, immunostaining, and qRT-PCR for myogenic markers and promyogenic signaling (p38MAPK). Immunoprecipitation confirmed that Rg5 increased the interaction between MyoD and E2A via p38MAPK. To investigate the effects of Rg5 on prevention of muscle mass loss, C2C12 myotubes were treated with dexamethasone to induce muscle atrophy. Immunoblotting, immunostaining, and qRT-PCR were performed for myogenic markers, Akt/mTOR signaling for protein synthesis, and atrophy-related genes (Atrogin-1 and MuRF1). Results: Rg5 promoted C2C12 myoblast differentiation through phosphorylation of p38MAPK and MyoD/E2A heterodimerization. Furthermore, Rg5 stimulated C2C12 myotube hypertrophy via phosphorylation of Akt/mTOR. Phosphorylation of Akt induces FoxO3a phosphorylation, which reduces the expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1. Conclusion: This study provides an understanding of how Rg5 promotes myogenesis and hypertrophy and prevents dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. The study is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to show that Rg5 promotes muscle regeneration and to suggest that Rg5 can be used for therapeutic intervention of muscle weakness and atrophy, including cancer cachexia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the influence of black ginseng radix extracts (BG) and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induced proliferation, migration and capillary tubule-like formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods : HUVECs were cultured with BG and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 at different concentrations (60, 125, 250, 500, $1,000{\mu}g/m\ell$) for 2 day In the presence of bFGF, respectively. XTT was used to detect the proliferation. Migration and tube formations were examined to detect the antiangiogenesis. Also, the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was performed to detect the antiangiogenesis. Results : BG and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 significantly inhibited bFGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner. Tube formation in bFGF-induced HUVECs were suppressed by BG and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5. Moreover, BG and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 (30-$50{\mu}g$/egg) inhibited new blood vessel formation on the growing CAM. Conclusions:Based on the present results, it can be suggested that BG has a potential chemopreventive agent via antiangiogenesis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2009

A simple gradient HPLC method for rapid determination of major ginsenosides ($Rg_1$ and $Rb_1$) and unique ginsenoside (Rf) of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) was developed. Within 50min, three ginsenosides have been separated and identified on $\mu$-Bondapak $C_{18}$ column ($3.9{\times}300\;mm$, $10{\mu}m$) with gradient elution using water and acetonitrile as a mobile phase. The method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, and precision. The correlation coefficients ($r^2$) for calibration curves of ginsenosides were over 0.9997. The developed HPLC method was successfully applied to the analysis of ginseng samples and the recoveries of ginsenosides were in the range of $101.1{\sim}115%$ with RSD<3.2%. The developed method could be used for rapid evaluation of the ginsenosides $Rg_1$, $Rb_1$, and Rf.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2001.06c
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• pp.33-36
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• 2001

With all the researches to define human genom and to look for some new bio-activated material in the bio-technology field recently, it is more highly needed to analyse DNA or so called Material than ever before. First, the lanes are extracted based on histogram analysis and projection technique. And then three other approaches are applied for band extraction: SB, RG-1, and RG-2. In SB method, a search line is set dividing each lane equally and vertically to find peaks and valleys. And according to them, minimum enclosing rectangle of each band is determined. In RC-1 approach, on the other hand, band areas are extracted by region growing with the peaks as seeds, avoiding the overlap with the neighboring bands. In RC-2 approach, peaks and valleys are searched in two lines that trisect the lane vertically, and the pair of peaks in the same band are determined, and then used to grow the region. To compare the accuracy of the three suggested methods, we measure the location and amount of bands. The result shows that the mean deviation of the location is 0.06, 0.03, and 0.01 for SB, RG-1, and RC-2 respectively. And the mean deviation of the amount of bands is 0.08, 0.05, and 0.02 for SB, RG-1, and RG-2 respectively. In conclusion, the RG-2 method suggested in this paper appears to be the most reliable on the degree of the accuracy in measuring the location and amount of bands

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.320-325
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to develop a new preparation process of Notoginseng root(Panax notoginseng) extracts having high concentrations of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rk_1$ and $Rh_4$, a special component of Red and Black ginseng(Panax ginseng). Chemical transformation from ginseng saponin to prosapogenin was analyzed by the HPLC. Extracts of Notoginseng root was processed under several treatment conditions including microwave and vinegar(about 14% acidity) treatments. Results of those treatments showed that the quantity of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ increased by over 7.6% at 15 minutes of pH 2~4 vinegar and microwave treatments. The results of processing with MPN-15 indicate that the microwave and vinegar(about 14% acidity) processed Notoginseng root extracts that had gone through 15-minute treatments were found to contain the largest amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$(7.639%), $Rg_5$(6.061%), $Rk_1$(1.516%) and $Rh_4$(1.599). It is thought that such results provide basic information in preparing Notoginseng root extracts with functionality enhanced.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2020

Objectives: Ginsenosides found in ginseng, and the hydrolysates derived from their conversion, exhibit diverse pharmacological characteristics [1]. These have been shown to include anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic effects, as well as being able to provide hepatic and neuroprotective effects, immunomodulation, vasodilation, promotion of insulin secretion, and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how quickly the ginsenosides decompose and what kinds of degradation products are created under physicochemical processing conditions that don't involve toxic chemicals or other treatments that may be harmful. Methods: The formation of ginsenoside-Rg2 and ginsenoside-Rg3 was examined. These demonstrated diverse pharmacological effects. Results: We also investigated physicochemical factors affecting their conversion. The heating temperatures and times yielding the highest concentration of ginsenosides (-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rc, -Rd, -Rf, -Rg1, and -Re) were examined. Additionally, the heating temperatures and rates of conversion of these ginsenosides into new 'ginseng saponins', were examined. Conclusion: In conclusion, obtained provide us with effective technology to control the concentration of both ginsenosides and the downstream converted saponins (ginsenoside-Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1 etc.), as well as identifying the processing conditions which enable an enrichment in concentration of these compounds.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1557-1561
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• 2008

Red ginseng possibly has new ingredients converted during steaming and dry process from fresh ginseng. Kujeungkupo method which means 9 repetitive steamings and dryings process was used for the production of red ginseng from 6-year old ginseng roots. Saponin was extracted from each red ginseng produced at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th during the steaming and drying treatment, and we analyzed saponin content with TLC. Minor saponins, such as ginsenoside-Rg3, -Rh2, compound K, and F2, increased as the process time of steaming and drying, but major saponins (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, -Rf, -Rg1) were decreased. Major saponins were yet observed almost at the 1st process, then degraded as the increasing time of steaming and drying process. Especially, ginsenoside-Re and -Rg were observed as considerable amount after the 1st treatment, but there were no trace of them after the 9th treatment. Ginsenoside-Rg1, -Rb2, and -Rb1 were also reduced remarkedly by 96.6%, 96%, and 92.3%, respectively. Minor saponins were increased significantly, especially for ginsenoside-Rg3 and ginsenoside-F2. These results suggest that Kujeungkupo method is the very useful method for the production of minor ginsenoside-Rg3 and -Rh2.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.550-561
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• 2019

Background: Gastric ulcer (GU) is a common gastrointestinal disease that can be induced by many factors. Finding an effective treatment method that contains fewer side effects is important. 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 is a kind of protopanaxadiol and has shown superior antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects in many studies, especially cancer studies. In this study, we examined the treatment efficacy of 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 on GU. Methods: Three kinds of GU models, including an alcohol GU model, a pylorus-ligated GU model, and an acetic acid GU model, were used. Mouse endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in blood and epidermal growth factor (EGF), superoxide dismutase, and NO levels in gastric mucosa were evaluated. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of gastric mucosa and immunohistochemical staining of ET-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), and epidermal growth factor receptors were studied. Ulcer index (UI) scores and UI ratios were also analyzed to demonstrate the GU conditions in different groups. Furthermore, Glide XP from $Schr{\ddot{o}}dinger$ was used for molecular docking to clarify the interactions between 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 and EGF and NOS2. Results: 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 significantly decreased the UI scores and UI ratios in all the three GU models, and it demonstrated antiulcer effects by decreasing the ET-1 and NOS2 levels and increasing the NO, superoxide dismutase, EGF, and epidermal growth factor receptor levels. In addition, high-dose 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 showed satisfactory gastric mucosa protection effects. Conclusion: 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 can inhibit the formation of GU and may be a potential therapeutic agent for GU.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.291-301
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• 2023

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are particularly vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Currently, no anti-NSCLC/COVID-19 treatment options are available. As ginsenoside Rg3 is beneficial to NSCLC patients and has been identified as an entry inhibitor of the virus, this study aims to explore underlying pharmacological mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 for the treatment of NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Methods: Based on a large-scale data mining and systemic biological analysis, this study investigated target genes, biological processes, pharmacological mechanisms, and underlying immune implications of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Results: An important gene set containing 26 target genes was built. Target genes with significant prognostic value were identified, including baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), glucagon receptor (GCGR), interleukin 2 (IL2), peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4), and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1). The expression of target genes was significantly correlated with the infiltration level of macrophages, eosinophils, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes. Ginsenoside Rg3 may benefit NSCLC patients with COVID-19 by regulating signaling pathways primarily involved in anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, cell cycle, cell fate, carcinogenesis, and hemodynamics. Conclusions: This study provided a comprehensive strategy for drug discovery in NSCLC and COVID-19 based on systemic biology approaches. Ginsenoside Rg3 may be a prospective drug for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Future studies are needed to determine the value of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19.