• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.159-167
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• 1996

To study the effects of ginseng saponin components on the signal transduction in the ac tivation of murine macrophages, phagocytosis and Intracellular calcium concentration of peritoneal exuded mouse macrophages were examined. The phagocytosis was increased significantly after treatment with total saponin, diol-saponin, $Rg_1$ and $Rg_2$, but triol-saponin was unable to increase phagocytosis. The phagocytosis were increased when H7, a PKC inhibitor, was pretreated and increased significantly by saponin fractions except total saponin. Pertussis toxin, which inactivates G-protein, decreased the phagocytosis. But the phagocytosis was restored to the control level by saponin fractions and the phagocytosis was increased significantly by $Rg_2$ and $Rg_2$. The triol saponin increased phagocytosis approximately by 2-fold as compared with the TMB-8 treated group. Peritoneal exuded macrophages displayed a prominent rise in cytosolic calcium following treatment with triol-saponin, $Rg_1$, $Rg_2$ and $Rg_2$. Incubation of macrophages with PT resulted in an inhibition of cytosolic calcium mobilization, but increased cytosolic calcium mobilization with saponin fraction.

• 한국작물학회지
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.286-290
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• 2005

Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) plays a crucial role in the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. APX activity is maintained significantly higher in the paraquat­treated leaves of the paraquat-tolerant Rehmannia glutinos. This study was conducted to understand structural and regulatory characteristics of APX gene in R. glutinosa. A putative APX cDNA clone (RgAPX1) was isolated from a leaf cDNA library using a partially sequenced expressed sequence tag clone. RgAPX1 is consisted of 1148 bp nucleotides and contains an open reading frame encoding a 250 amino acid-long polypeptide. Deduced RgAPX1 amino acid sequence shares higher sequence similarity to cytosolic APXs. RgAPX1. expression was higher in the leaf than in the flower and root. Southern blot result indicates the presence of one or two RgAPX1-related genes in R. glutinosa genome. RgAPX1 transcription was affected differentially by various stresses and phytohormone. The results indicate that RgAPXl is constitutively expressed in most tissues and its expression is modulated for the immediate and efficient detoxification of $H_2O_2$ under normal and stress conditions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.104-110
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng (RG), which is a ginseng treated by heating and steaming, has biological activity similar to Panax ginseng. The effect of ginseng on influenza infection has not been studied although it is known to have a broad range of biological activities. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of RG extract on influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. We investigated the inhibitory effect of RG extract on plaque formation by influenza A virus in a cell-based plaque assay, and the effect of orally administered RG on influenza A virus infection in mice. RG extract, which was applied at a non-cytotoxic concentration, inhibited plaque formation by influenza A virus in the cell-based plaque assay. The orally administered RG extract ameliorated body weight loss and significantly increased survival in mice infected with influenza A virus. Our results suggest that RG extract has components that reduce the severity of infection by influenza A virus and could potentially be used as a complement to treatment of influenza A virus infections.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제15권11호
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• pp.6774-6781
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• 2014

인삼(Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer)의 주요 생리활성물질인 진세노사이드(ginsenoside) Rb1과 Rg1의 효능검증 및 작용점을 규명하고자 HaCaT 피부각질세포에서 유전체 분석(gene expression profiles)을 실시하였다. 진세노사이드 Rb1과 Rg1 각각의 처리 농도 및 시간에 따른 HaCaT 세포에 대한 세포독성은 나타나지 않았으며, $10{\mu}g/mL$의 진세노사이드 Rb1과 Rg1 각각을 6 및 24 시간 처리하여 유전체 분석 결과, 진세노사이드 Rb1과 Rg1의 24 시간 처리군에서 항노화 및 피부탄력 관련 유전자인 fibroblast growth factor (FGF2)의 활성이 증가된 것으로 나타났다. 또한 진세노사이드 Rb1의 24 시간 처리군에서는 항산화 작용점에 있는 일련의 유전자군, FANCD2, FGF2, LEPR, FAS 등의 활성을 확인하였다. 향후 확인된 항노화 및 피부탄력 관련 주요인자들의 작용 및 상관관계를 구체적으로 확인하고, 특히 진세노사이드 Rb1의 신호전달을 완성하고자 한다.

• 고려인삼학회:학술대회논문집
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• 고려인삼학회 1984년도 학술대회지
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• pp.169-183
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• 1984

인삼의 주된 사포닌으로서 Rg,과 Rb,을 흰쥐에 투여하였을 경우에 이들 물질이 흰쥐의 장기에 흡수 또는 분포되는 상태와 배설에 대하여 연구하였다. 진세노사이드 $Rg_{1}$은 경구 투여량의 약 $1.9{\%}$가 소화관의 상부에서 흡수되었으며, 투여한지 30분 후에 최고 혈중 농도에 이르렀고 조직에서는 1.5시간 걸렸다. 그러나 뇌에서는 확인되지 않았으며 뇨와 당즙에는 2 : 5의 비로 배설되었다. $Rb_{1}$을 100mg/kg 경구투여한 결과, 소화관에서는 거의 흡수가 되지 않았으며, 한편 정맥주사(5mg/kg)의 경우는 혈중 $Rb_{1}$의 농도가 지수적으로 감소하였으며, B-phase의 반감기는 14.5시간이었다. 정맥주사후 혈청과 조직에 장시간 잔존은 활성을 나탄내는 혈청단백과의 결합과 관련이 있는 것으로 사료되며 시간에 따라 뇨로 배설되나 담즙에서는 확인되지 않았다. $Rg_{1}$과 $Rb_{1}$을 경구투여한 후 TLC와 $^{13}C$-NMR을 이용하여 위와 대장에서의 분해 상태를 연구한 결과 위에서 $Rg_{1}$의 일부가 분해, 6종류의 분해 산물이 r-everse phase TLC상에서 관찰되었고 이들 분해 산물은 약산성 (0.1N HCl, $37^{\circ}C$) 조건하에서 $Rg_{1}$의 가수분해산물과 동일하였다. 한편, $Rb_{1}$ 경구투여후 위장에서 얻은 시료중에서 미확인 분해산물이 관찰되었으며, 이 분해산물은 약산성 조건하에서 $Rb_{1}$의 가수분해산물과는 상이하다는 사실을 확인하였다. 대장에서, $Rg_{1}$은 미생물 tetracycline-susceptible bacteria와 tetracycline-resist bacteria에 의해 $Rb_{1}$과 $F_{1}$으로 분해되었으며, $Rb_{1}$은 장내의 효소와 tetracycline-resistantant bacteria에 의해 Rd와 2 종류의 미확인 물질로 분해되었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.238-242
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• 2015

Background: Panax ginseng has been used to prolong longevity and is believed to be useful for improving skin complexion. Ginsenosides are the most active components isolated from ginseng, and ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) in particular has been demonstrated to possess antioxidative, antitumorigenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of G-Rg3 to inhibit melanogenesis. Methods: The effects of G-Rg3 on melanin contents and the protein levels of tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) were evaluated. Melanogenesis-regulating signaling molecules such as Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were also examined to explore G-Rg3-induced antimelanogenic mechanisms. Results: G-Rg3 was found to significantly inhibit the synthesis of melanin in normal human epidermal melanocytes and B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of cellular tyrosinase and the expression of MITF, tyrosinase, and TRP1 were all reduced, whereas ERK was strongly activated. PD98059 (a specific inhibitor of ERK) attenuated the G-Rg3-induced inhibition of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity. Conclusion: Taken together, these results showed that G-Rg3 induces the activation of ERK, which accounts for its antimelanogenic effects. G-Rg3 may be a promising safe skin-whitening agent, adding to the long list of uses of P. ginseng for the enhancement of skin beauty.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.771-779
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• 2022

Background: As a kind of common complication of the surgery of perianal diseases, perianal ulcer is known as a nuisance. This study aims to develop a kind of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3)-loaded hydrogel to treat perianal ulcers in a rat model. Methods: The copolymers PLGA₁₆₀₀-PEG₁₀₀₀-PLGA₁₆₀₀ were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization process and Rg3-loaded hydrogel was then developed. The perianal ulcer rat model was established to analyze the treatment efficacy of Rg3-loaded hydrogel for ulceration healing for 15 days. The animals were divided into control group, hydrogel group, free Rg3 group, Rg3-loaded hydrogel group, and Lidocaine Gel® group. The residual wound area rate was calculated and the blood concentrations of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Masson's Trichrome (MT) staining, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), Ki-67, CD31, ERK1/2, and NF-κB immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results: The biodegradable and biocompatible hydrogel carries a homogenous interactive porous structure with 10 ㎛ pore size and five weeks in vivo degradation time. The loaded Rg3 can be released sustainably. The in vitro cytotoxicity study showed that the hydrogel had no effect on survival rate of murine skin fibroblasts L929. The Rg3-loaded hydrogel can facilitate perianal ulcer healing by inhibiting local and systematic inflammatory responses, swelling the proliferation of nuclear cells, collagen deposition, and vascularization, and activating ERK signal pathway. Conclusion: The Rg3-loaded hydrogel shows the best treatment efficacy of perianal ulcer and may be a candidate for perianal ulcer treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권10호
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• pp.551-556
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• 2023

Ginsenosides, among the most active components of ginseng, exhibit several therapeutic effects against cancer, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-osteoporotic activity of ginsenoside Rg2, a major ginsenoside, has not been clearly elucidated. This study aimed to determine the effects of ginsenoside Rg2 on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation. Results indicate that ginsenoside Rg2 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) without cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with ginsenoside Rg2 significantly reduced the RANKL-induced gene expression of c-fos and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (Nfatc1), as well as osteoclast-specific markers tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP, Acp5) and osteoclast-associated receptor (Oscar). Moreover, RANKL-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was decreased by ginsenoside Rg2 in BMM. Therefore, we suggest that ginsenoside Rg2 suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation through the regulation of MAPK signaling-mediated osteoclast markers and could be developed as a therapeutic drug for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.294-304
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• 2009

Ginsenosides are among the most well-known traditional herbal medicines frequently used for the treatment of various symptoms in South Korea. The neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (G-$Rg_3$) on cholesterol-oxide-(CO)-induced neurotoxicity were investigated through the analyses of rat brains. The recently accumulated reports show that ginseng saponins (GTS), the major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, have protective effects against neurotoxin insults. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of G-$Rg_3$ on CO-induced hippocampal excitotoxicity were examined in vivo. The in-vitro studies using rat cultured hippocampal neurons revealed that G-$Rg_3$ treatment significantly inhibited CO-induced hippocampal cell death. G-$Rg_3$ treatment not only significantly reduced CO-induced DNA damage but also attenuated CO-induced apoptosis. The in-vivo studies that were conducted revealed that the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) pre-administration of G-$Rg_3$ significantly reduced i.c.v. CO-induced hippocampal damage in rats. To examine the mechanisms underlying the in-vitro and in-vivo neuroprotective effects of G-$Rg_3$ against CO-induced hippocampal excitotoxicity, the effect of G-$Rg_3$ on the CO-induced elevations of the apoptotic cells in cultured hippocampal cells was examined, and it was found that G-$Rg_3$ treatment inhibited CO-induced apoptosis. The histopathological evaluation demonstrated that G-$Rg_3$ significantly diminished the apoptosis in the hippocampus and also spared the hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus neurons. G-$Rg_3$ also significantly improved the CO-caused behavioral impairment. G-$Rg_3$ itself had no effect, however, on the CO-induced inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase activity (data not shown). These results collectively indicate the G-$Rg_3$-induced neuroprotection against CO in rat hippocampus. With regard to the wide use of G-$Rg_3$, this agent is potentially beneficial in treating CO-induced brain injury.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.247-257
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• 2020

Background: Multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy drugs remains a major challenge in clinical cancer treatment. Here we investigated whether and how ginsenoside Rg5 overcomes the MDR mediated by ABCB1 transporter in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cytotoxicity and colon formation as well as the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrates were carried out in MDR cancer cells A2780/T and A549/T for evaluating the reversal effects of Rg5. The expressions of ABCB1 and Nrf2/AKT pathway were determined by Western blotting. An A549/T cell xenograft model was established to investigate the MDR reversal activity of Rg5 in vivo. Results: Rg5 significantly reversed ABCB1-mediated MDR by increasing the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrates without altering protein expression of ABCB1. Moreover, Rg5 activated ABCB1 ATPase and reduced verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity, suggesting a high affinity of Rg5 to ABCB1 binding site which was further demonstrated by molecular docking analysis. In addition, co-treatment of Rg5 and docetaxel (TXT) suppressed the expression of Nrf2 and phosphorylation of AKT, indicating that sensitizing effect of Rg5 associated with AKT/Nrf2 pathway. In nude mice bearing A549/T tumor, Rg5 and TXT treatment significantly suppressed the growth of drug-resistant tumors without increase in toxicity when compared to TXT given alone at same dose. Conclusion: Therefore, combination therapy of Rg5 and chemotherapy drugs is a strategy for the adjuvant chemotherapy, which encourages further pharmacokinetic and clinical studies.