• 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.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.264-269
• /
• 2008

Ginsenosides are major components in Panax ginseng and known to have numerous pharmacological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-viral and anti-atherosclerosis effects. In this study, the regulatory activities of G-Rg3 and its derivative 25-hydroxy Rg3 (G-Rg3-2H) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) in macrophages and the proliferation of lymphocytes prepared from spleen and bone marrow under treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or concanavalin (Con) A were examined. G-Rg3 and G-Rg3-2H dose-dependently inhibited NO production from LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells and in agreement, these compounds protected RAW264.7 cells from LPS-mediated cytotoxicity. In contrast, G-Rg3-2H dose-dependently inhibited lymphocyte proliferation induced by both LPS and Con A, while there was no inhibition by G-Rg3. Therefore, our data suggest that these compounds may be applied for NO-mediated or lymphocyte-mediated immunological diseases.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study is to develop a new method of producing tienchi seng (notoginseng, Panax notoginseng) extracts featuring high concentrations of the ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, and Rg6, special components of Korean red ginseng. The chemical transformation from ginseng saponin glycosides to prosapogenin was analyzed by HPLC. Tienchi seng was heat-processed at 100℃ and the optimum conditions were identified. The highest concentrations of total saponin (29.723%) and the ginsenoside Rg3 (1.769%), Rg5 (5.979%), and Rg6 (13.473%) were produced at 48 hours. Also, when tienchi seng was subjected to the ultrasonic thermal fusion (100℃) process, the concentrations of total saponin (30.578%), ginsenoside Rg3 (2.392%), Rg5 (6.614%), and Rg6 (13.017%) were highest at 36 hours. On the other hand, the 2-hour heat-processed extract and 2-hour ultrasonic thermal fusion-processed extract did not contain ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, and Rg6. The ultrasonic thermal fusion process had an extraction yield that was approximately 1.26 times greater than that of the heat process. These results indicate that the highly functional tienchi seng extracts created through the ultrasonic thermal fusion process are more industrially useful than those produced using the heat process.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.635-644
• /
• 2019

Background: To increase the pharmacological effects of red ginseng (RG, the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer), RG products modified by heat process or fermentation have been developed. However, the antiallergic effects of RG and modified/fermented RG have not been simultaneously examined. Therefore, we examined the allergic rhinitis (AR)-inhibitory effects of water-extracted RG (wRG), 50% ethanol-extracted RG (eRG), and bifidobacteria-fermented eRG (fRG) in vivo. Methods: RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate/A23187. Mice with AR were prepared by treatment with ovalbumin. Allergic markers IgE, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-5 were assayed in the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, and colon using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cell populations were assayed using a flow cytometer. Results: RG products potently inhibited IL-4 expression in phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate/A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Of tested RG products, fRG most potently inhibited IL-4 expression. RG products also alleviated ovalbumin-induced AR in mice. Of these, fRG most potently reduced nasal allergy symptoms and blood IgE levels. fRG treatment also reduced IL-4 and IL-5 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, and reduced mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cell populations. Furthermore, treatment with fRG reduced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in the colon and restored ovalbumin-suppressed Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria populations and ovalbumin-induced Firmicutes population in gut microbiota. Treatment with ginsenoside Rd significantly alleviated ovalbumin-induced AR in mice. Conclusion: fRG and ginsenoside Rd may alleviate AR by suppressing IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 expression and restoring the composition of gut microbiota.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.717-724
• /
• 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.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.168-177
• /
• 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 Ginseng Research
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.132-140
• /
• 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
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.282-290
• /
• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) is the major bioactive ingredient of Panax ginseng and has many pharmacological effects, including antiadipogenic, antiviral, and anticancer effects. However, the effect of G-Rg3 on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation has not been investigated. Method: The antiallergic effects of G-Rg3 on allergic inflammation were evaluated using the human and rat mast cell lines HMC-1 and RBL-2H3. Antiallergic effects of G-Rg3 were detected by measuring cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), detecting calcium influx, and using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and in vivo experiments. Results: G-Rg3 decreased histamine release from activated mast cells by enhancing cAMP levels and calcium influx. Proinflammatory cytokine production was suppressed by G-Rg3 treatment via regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases/nuclear factor-kappa B and receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIP2)/caspase-1 signaling pathway in mast cells. Moreover, G-Rg3 protected mice against the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock. Conclusion: G-Rg3 may serve as an alternative therapeutic agent for improving allergic inflammatory disorders.

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

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.404-408
• /
• 1998

Using a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, the separation of 20(S)-, 20(R)-prosapogenin stereo-isomers of ginsenoside-$Rg_2$ and of ginsenoside-$Rg_3$ in ginseng saponins has been carried out with binary solvent system. The optimum conditions for the isomer separation are as following: Nova-$Pak^{(R)}C_{18}$ (Waters, $3.9{\times}150mm$) column, $CH_3CN/CH_3CN$ (100:8, v/v) binary solvent system and the flow rate was 1.7 mL/min. The stereoisomers were separated with change of the mixture ratio of the solvent system, the solvent elution by gradient program, and then detected at 203 nm of UV detector. The simultaneous separation of mixture that were the $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$ isomers was easily performed in nonpolar solvent for $Rg_2$, polar solvent for $Rg_3$ at the same optimum conditions.