• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to explore the role and effect of ginsenosides Rg1 on osteoblasts cultured with Ti particles. Osteoblasts from neonatal rats were cultured with particles and different doses of Rg1, the main active ingredient in ginsenosides Rg1. We found that the COX-2, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, and IL -6 concentrations in the medium of cells cultured with Ti particles significantly increased as compared with that of the control cells (p<0.05 or p<0.01). In addition, cells cultured with Ti particles alone exhibited the highest concentrations of these molecules. The $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, and IL-6 levels in the medium of cells cultured with Rg1 were in between those of the control cells and the cells cultured with Ti particles alone. The IL-1ra level in the group cultured with Ti and medium-dose Rg1 was the highest followed by the cells cultured with Ti and high-dose Rg1 and those cultured with Ti and low-dose Rg1 (p<0.05). In conclusion, ginsenosides can reduce the levels of infl ammatory cytokines produced by osteoblasts on induction with Ti particles and can prevent prosthesis loosening.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.124-134
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• 2013

The authentication of the physico-chemical properties of ginsenosides reference materials as well as qualitative and quantitative batch analytical data based on validated analytical procedures is a prerequisite for certifying good manufacturing practice (GMP). Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, representing protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol ginsenosides, respectively, are accepted as marker substances in quality control standards worldwide. However, the current analytical methods for these two compounds recommended by Korean, Chinese, European, and Japanese pharmacopoeia do not apply to red ginseng preparations, particularly the extract, because of the relatively low content of the two agents in red ginseng compared to white ginseng. In manufacturing fresh ginseng into red ginseng products, ginseng roots are exposed to a high temperature for many hours, and the naturally occurring ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 are converted to artifact ginsenosides such as Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, and Rh2 during the heating process. The analysis of ginsenosides in commercially available ginseng products in Korea led us to propose the inclusion of the (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3, including ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, as additional reference materials for ginseng preparations. (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 were isolated by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography, silica gel flash chromatography, recrystallization, and preparative HPLC. HPLC fractions corresponding to those two ginsenosides were recrystallized in appropriate solvents for the analysis of physico-chemical properties. Documentation of those isolated ginsenosides was achieved according to the method proposed by Gaedcke and Steinhoff. The ginsenosides were subjected to analyses of their general characteristics, identification, purity, content quantification, and mass balance tests. The isolated ginsenosides showed 100% purity when determined by the three HPLC systems. Also, the water content was found to be 0.534% for (20S)-Rg3 and 0.920% for (20R)-Rg3, meaning that the net mass balances for (20S)-Rg3 and (20R)-Rg3 were 99.466% and 99.080%, respectively. From these results, we could assess and propose a full spectrum of physico-chemical properties of (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 as standard reference materials for GMP-based quality control.

• 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.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.114-118
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• 2008

Ginseng treated with several treatment conditions of various acids to search hydrolysates on the basis of increased biological activity and modified structure. In the result of acid treatment, the conversion rate of ginsenoside Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 was highest when ginseng treated with citric acid. After added citric acid to ginseng extract, boiled at l00$^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour and add enzyme, which is examined change by time. It compared with group which did not treated acid. Two groups became difference according to enzyme but the generation rate of ginsenoside Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 did not show difference greatly. Also, the generation rate of ginsenoside Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 by time passes did not show difference. The generation rate of ginsenoside Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 increased when increased acid concentration, temperature and time. We did exclusion molding to shorten treatment time. In the result of ginseng treated with citric acid of various concentrations at various temperatures as time passes by extrusion molding, the generation rate of ginsenoside Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 was highest when ginseng treated with 3% citric acid at l60$^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes. In addition, total saponin amount of ginseng treated with 3% citric acid at 160$^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes was about 11% higher than ginseng heated at 120$^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours. These results indicated that our exclusion molding process more effective, compared to traditional red ginseng manufacturing process.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.298-303
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• 2018

Background: Panax ginseng is one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs worldwide for a variety of therapeutic properties including neurocognitive effects. Ginsenoside Rg1 is one of the most abundant active chemical constituents of this herb with known neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and cognition improving effects. Methods: We investigated the effects of Rg1 on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a key brain region involved in cognition, information processing, working memory, and decision making. In this study, the effects of systemic administration of Rg1 (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg) on (1) spontaneous firing of the medial prefrontal cortical neurons and (2) long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal-medial prefrontal cortical (HP-mPFC) pathway were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: The spontaneous neuronal activity of approximately 50% the recorded pyramidal cells in the mPFC was suppressed by Rg1. In addition, Rg1 attenuated LTP in the HP-mPFC pathway. These effects were not dose-dependent. Conclusion: This report suggests that acute treatment of Rg1 impairs LTP in the HP-mPFC pathway, perhaps by suppressing the firing of a subset of mPFC neurons that may contribute to the neurocognitive effects of Rg1.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.221-225
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• 2004

The root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer has been used as a traditional anti-aging and anti-wrinkle agent in the Orient. However, it is still unknown which component of ginseng is effective at suppressing wrinkle formation. Recently at least twenty ginsenosides regarded as the main active ingredients of ginseng have been isolated. Among them, we examined the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on dermal ECM metabolism to elucidate the mechanism of anti-wrinkle by ginseng. In our study, to investigate the anti-wrinkle effect of the ginsenoside Rg3, ECM component and growth factor in dennis were evaluated by ELISA assay. Ginsenoside Rg3 was found to stimulate type I procollagen and fibronectin (FN) biosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner in normal human fibroblast culture (p < 0.05, n =3), and dose-dependently enhance TGF- ${\beta}$1 level (p < 0.05, n =3). In RT-PCR analysis mRNA level of c-Jun, a member of AP-1 transcription factor, was reduced by ginsenoside Rg3 in normal human fibroblast culture. These results indicate that ginsenoside Rg3 stimulates type I collagen and FN synthesis through the changes of TGF - ${\beta}$1 and AP-1 expression in fibroblasts.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.395-404
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside Rg₁ (Rg₁) is one of the main active components in Chinese medicines, Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng. Research has shown that Rg₁ has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, including anti-myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, anti-apoptosis, and promotion of myocardial angiogenesis, suggesting it a potential cardiovascular agent. However, the protective mechanism involved is still not fully understood. Methods: Based on network pharmacology, ligand-based protein docking, proteomics, Western blot, protein recombination and spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra) techniques, potential targets and pathways for Rg₁ against myocardial ischemia (MI) were screened and explored. Results: An important target set containing 19 proteins was constructed. Two target proteins with more favorable binding activity for Rg₁ against MI were further identified by molecular docking, including mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) and adenosine kinase (ADK). Meanwhile, Rg₁ intervention on H9c2 cells injured by H₂O₂ showed an inhibitory oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. The inhibition of Rg₁ on MAPK1 and OXPHOS pathway was confirmed by Western blot assay. By protein recombination and spectroscopic analysis, the binding reaction between ADK and Rg₁ was also evaluated. Conclusion: Rg₁ can effectively alleviate cardiomyocytes oxidative stress injury via targeting MAPK1 and ADK, and inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. The present study provides scientific basis for the clinical application of the natural active ingredient, Rg₁, and also gives rise to a methodological reference to the searching of action targets and pathways of other natural active ingredients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.608-614
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 belongs to protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides and has diverse pharmacological activities. In this report, we investigated whether Rg1 could upregulate muscular stem cell differentiation and muscle growth. Methods: C2C12 myoblasts, MyoD-transfected 10T1/2 embryonic fibroblasts, and HEK293T cells were treated with Rg1 and differentiated for 2 d, subjected to immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, or immunoprecipitation. Results: Rg1 activated promyogenic kinases, p38MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and Akt signaling, that in turn promote the heterodimerization with MyoD and E proteins, resulting in enhancing myogenic differentiation. Through the activation of Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, Rg1 induced myotube growth and prevented dexamethasone-induced myotube atrophy. Furthermore, Rg1 increased MyoD-dependent myogenic conversion of fibroblast. Conclusion: Rg1 upregulates promyogenic kinases, especially Akt, resulting in improvement of myoblast differentiation and myotube growth.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.490-495
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rk1, a saponin component isolated from heat-processed Panax ginseng Meyer, has been implicated in the regulation of antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Although our previous studies have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 significantly attenuated the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in hippocampal neurons, the effects of ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1, which are derived from heat-mediated dehydration of ginsenoside Rg3, on neuronal NMDARs have not yet been elucidated. Methods: We examined the regulation of NMDARs by ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons using fura-2-based calcium imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Results: The results from our investigation showed that ginsenosides Rg3 and Rg5 inhibited NMDARs with similar potencies. However, ginsenoside Rk1 inhibited NMDARs most effectively among the five compounds (Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rg5/Rk1 mixture, and protopanaxadiol) tested in cultured hippocampal neurons. Its inhibition is independent of the NMDA- and glycine-binding sites, and its action seems to involve in an interaction with the polyamine-binding site of the NMDAR channel complex. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that ginsenoside Rk1 might be a novel component contributable to the development of ginseng-based therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to develop a new preparation process of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) extract featuring high concentration of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, and $Rk_1$, Red ginseng special components. Chemical transformation from ginseng saponin glycosides to prosapogenin was analyzed by the HPLC. Extracts of American ginseng were processed under several treatment conditions of microwave and vinegar (about 14% acidity). The results showed that the quantity of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ increased by over 0.9% at the 20 minutes of the pH 2~4 vinegar and microwave American ginseng ethanol extract compared with other process times. The result of MAG-20 indicates that the American ginseng microwave and vinegar-processed American ginseng extracts (about 14% acidity) treated for 20 minutes produced the highest amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (0.969%), $Rg_5$ (1.071%), and $Rk_1$ (0.247%). Besides, MAG-15 indicates that the microwave - and vinegar-processed American ginseng extracts (about 14% acidity) treated for 15 minutes produced the highest amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (0.772%), $Rg_5$ (1.330%), and $Rk_1$ (0.386%). This indicates that American ginseng treated with microwave and vinegar had the quantity of the ginsenoside $Rg_3$ over 32 times the amount of the ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (which was not found in raw and American ginsengs) in the average commercial Red ginseng.