• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제40권4호
• /
• pp.437-444
• /
• 2016

Background: Although Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been traditionally used for a long time, its anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms have been poorly understood. In this study, the anti-inflammatory roles of KRG-derived components, namely, water extract (KRG-WE), saponin fraction (KRG-SF), and nonsaponin fraction (KRG-NSF), were investigated. Methods: To check saponin levels in the test fractions, KRG-WE, KRG-NSF, and KRG-SF were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The anti-inflammatory roles and underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of these components were investigated using a macrophage-like cell line (RAW264.7 cells) and an acute gastritis model in mice. Results: Of the tested fractions, KGR-SF (but not KRG-NSF and KRG-WE) markedly inhibited the viability of RAW264.7 cells, and splenocytes at more than 500 mg/mL significantly suppressed NO production at $100{\mu}g/mL$, diminished mRNA expression of inflammatory genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interferon-${\beta}$ at $200{\mu}g/mL$, and completely blocked phagocytic uptake by RAW264.7 cells. All three fractions suppressed luciferase activity triggered by interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), but not that triggered by activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappa B. Phospho-IRF3 and phospho-TBK1 were simultaneously decreased in KRG-SF. Interestingly, all these fractions, when orally administered, clearly ameliorated the symptoms of gastric ulcer in HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that KRG-WE, KRG-NSF, and KRG-SF might have anti-inflammatory properties, mostly because of the suppression of the IRF3 pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 1994

To investigate the significant indicators Improving the undisturbed memory in animal behavior, we employed several behavioral methods (learning, relearning in radial maze, and active avoidance) with ginseng components. Results showed that the repeated intranasal administration of $Rb_1$ and total saponins from Korean red ginseng induced direct effects on the brain mechanisms in rats, and improved the spatial memory during the learning, relearning and retention in the 12-arm radial maze test. The intranasal treatment of the total saponins also effectively improved the disturbed memory (amnesia) by pentylentetrazole, and simultaneously protected the brain by decreasing the severity of motor epileptic seizures. The intraperitonial administration of polysaccharide fraction of Korean red ginseng could improve avoidance behavior (amount of the total ecapes) in the active-avoidance test. In addition, local changes of the temperature and resistance of skin observed after Rb, administration were suggested to reflect some action of sympathetic nerve Key words Memory, intranasal administration, pentylenetetrazole, Korea red ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제18권1호
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 1994

Sprague-Dawley rats were given freely with 15% ethanol (control) and 15% ethanol containing (1) 0.1% ginseng saponin, (2) 0.02% ginsenoside $Rb_1$, and (3) $Rg_1$ (tests) instead of water for 7 days and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in different regions of brain were examined. In control group, total ALDH activity with indoleacetaldehyde and acetaldehyde as substrate in all different regions was lower than that of normal group except in the hippocampus. The inhibitory effect on the activity was prominent in the corpus striatum and was not in the hippocampus. However, low-$K_m$ ALDH activity in all different regions was much lower than that of normal group. A considerable decrease in mitochondria ALDH activity in cerebellum and striatum was also observed in control group. In test groups total, low-$K_m$, and mitochondria AkDH activities in all different regions were higher than those in control group. Although ALDH activity in the striatum of test group was higher than control group, it was relatively depressed as compared with normal. There was not found a remarkable difference in extent of stimulating effect on the AkDH activity according to the ginseng saponin components. When biogenic aldehydes were used as substrate, ALDH activity with 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) in all brain regions of control group was lower than that using 5-hydroxy-indoleacetaldehyde (HIAL) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde (NORAL) as substrate. In control group, ALDH activity with biogenic aldehydes above mentioned was markedly inhibited in the striatum contrary to other regions. The higher ALDH activity with biogenic aldehydes in test group than in control was found in the striatum, cerebrum, and cerebellum. MAO activity in the cerebellum was inhibited in control group and slightly increased in test group. The results of present study suggest that the corpus striatum is significantly affected by ethanol exposure while the hippocampus is not and that ginseng saponin fraction and ginsenosid es might have a preventive effect against depression of brain ALDH activity by chronic administration of ethanol.

• 고려인삼학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 고려인삼학회 1998년도 Advances in Ginseng Research - Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Ginseng -
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 1998

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase constitute the first coordinated unit of defense against reactive oxygen species. Here, we examined the effect of ginseng saponins on the induction of SOD and catalase gene expression. To explore this possibility, the upstream regulatory promoter region of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SODI) and catalase genes were linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CATI structural gene and introduced into human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Total saponin and panaxatriol did not activate the transcription of SODI and catalase genes but panaxadiol increased the transcription of these genes about 2-3 fold. Among the Panaxadiol ginsenosides, the Rb2 subtraction appeared to is a major induce of SODI and catalase genes. Using the deletion analyses and mobility shift assays, we showed that the 5051 gene was greatly activated by ginsenoside Rba through transcription factor AP2 binding sites and its induction. We also examined the effect of the content ratio of panaxadiol extracted from various compartment of ginseng on the transcription of 5031 gene. Saponin extract that contains 2.6-fold more PD than PT from the fine root Increased the SODI induction about 3-fold. These results suggest that the panaxadiol fraction and its ginsenosides could induce the antioxidant enzymes, which are important for maintaining cell viability by lowering level of oxygen radical generated from intracellular metabolism.

• 대한의생명과학회지
• /
• 제23권4호
• /
• pp.310-320
• /
• 2017

Ginseng has been widely used for traditional medicine in eastern Asia and is known to have inhibitory effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. Because, platelet is a crucial mediator of CVD, many studies are focusing on inhibitory mechanism of platelet functions. Among platelet activating molecules, thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) and P-selectin play a central role in CVD. $TXA_2$ leads to intracellular signaling cascades and P-selectin plays an important role in platelet-neutrophil and platelet-monocyte interactions leading to the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory mechanisms of total saponin fraction from Korean red ginseng (KRG-TS) on $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression. Thrombin-elevated $TXA_2$ production and arachidonic acid release were decreased by KRG-TS dose (25 to $150{\mu}g/mL$)-dependently via down regulation of microsomal cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), $TXA_2$ synthase (TXAS) activity and dephosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$). In addition, KRG-TS suppressed thrombin-activated P-selectin expression, an indicator of granule release via dephosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Taken together, we revealed that KRG-TS is a beneficial novel compound inhibiting $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression, which may prevent platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.184-187
• /
• 1996

As one of the studies relating to utilization of ginseng marc for food stuff, the changes of ginsenosides during roasting ginseng marc was examined varying roasting temperature (140~23$0^{\circ}C$) and time (10-30 min). BuOH-soluble fraction of ginseng marc roasted at 23$0^{\circ}C$ for 30 min increased up to 3 times higher than that of the unfrosted one. Some minor biol-ginsenosides were detected on the TLC by roasting above 20$0^{\circ}C$, while the contents of ginsenoside $Rg_1$, $Rg_1$ and Re, major ginsenoside components of ginseng, decreased by one fourteenth, one eighth, and one fourth fold, respectively, which indicates that these components are unstable to heat. When ginseng marc was roasted at 23$0^{\circ}C$, most of the ginsenosides except glnsenoside Re were not detected by HPLC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제38권3호
• /
• pp.208-214
• /
• 2014

Background: In previous work, we reported that Korean Red Ginseng saponin fraction (RGSF) showed anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The present study investigated the radioprotective properties of RGSF by examining its effects on ionizing radiation (IR)-enhanced and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory responses in murine macrophage cells. Results: RGSF induced strong downregulation of IR-enhanced and LPS-induced proinflammatory responses such as nitric oxide (NO) production (Inhibitory Concentration $50(IC_{50})=5.1{\pm}0.8{\mu}M$) and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ levels. RGSF was found to exert its radioprotective effects by inhibition of a signaling cascade that activated checkpoint kinase 2enuclear factor-${\kappa}B$. In addition, RGSF strongly inhibited IR-enhanced LPS-induced expression of hemoxyganase-1, implying that the latter may be a potential target of RGSF. Conclusion: Taken together, our data suggest that RGSF can be considered and developed for use as an effective radioprotective agent with minimal adverse effects.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제13권1호
• /
• pp.66-70
• /
• 1989

홍미삼엑기스의 일부 성분이 내삼투압성 효모인 C. parapsilosis의 생육에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 홍미삼엑기스로부터 유기용매로 이행되는 일부 성분군을 분리 추출하여 그 조성을 조사하고 각 성분군이 C. parapsilosis의 증식에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 균증식은 헥산 가용성 물질(Fr.A)에 의하여 현저한 억제작용을 받았고 Fr.A와 조사포닌이 동시에 혼재하면 다소 회복되기는 하였으나 PGS(대조구) 배지에서 보다는 낮았다. 에텔 가용성 물질(Fr.B) 및 에틸아세테이트 가용성 물질(Fr.C)은 현저한 균증식 촉진효과가 있었고 Fr.B 혹은 Fr.c와 조사포닌이 동시에 혼재하면 세포 증식속도가 더욱 촉진되어 Fr.B와 조사포닌 그리고 Fr.C와 조사포닌은 상승적 촉진작용을 하였으며 셀룰로오스 투석막 외액(Fr.E)도 생육을 촉진하였으며 조사포닌과 함께 상승적 촉진작용을 하였다. 조사포닌은 단독으로 존재할 때 균생육에 큰 영향을 미치지 않았으나 다른 성분과 함께 상승적 촉진작용을 하는 특성이 있어 단일 ginenoside 수준에서의 균생육에 미치는 영향이 검토되어야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제43권2호
• /
• pp.291-299
• /
• 2019

Background: Ginsenosides of Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) and its saponin components suppress secretion of inflammasome-mediating cytokines, whereas the nonsaponin fraction (NS) of RGE oppositely stimulates cytokine secretion. Although direct exposure of NS to macrophages in mice induces cytokine production, oral administration of NS has not been studied in inflammasome-related disease in animal models. Methods: Mice were fed RGE or NS for 7 days and then developed peritonitis. Peritoneal cytokines were measured, and peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) were collected to assay expression levels of a set of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in response to NS ingestion. In addition, the role of intestinal bacteria in NS-fed mice was assessed. The effect of preexposure to NS in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) on cytokine production was further confirmed. Results: NS ingestion attenuated secretion of peritoneal cytokines resulting from peritonitis. In addition, the isolated PECs from NS-fed mice presented lower TLR transcription levels than PECs from control diet-fed mice. BMDMs treated with NS showed downregulation of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression, which was mediated by the $TLR4-MyD88-NF{\kappa}B$ signal pathway. BMDMs pretreated with NS produced less cytokines in response to TLR4 ligands. Conclusion: NS administration directly inhibits TLR4 expression in inflammatory cells such as macrophages, thereby reducing secretion of cytokines during peritonitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제13권3호
• /
• pp.156-164
• /
• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the anxiolytic-like effects Panax ginseng in mice using the elevated plus-maze model. Furthermore, the anxiolytic-like effects of Panax ginseng were compared to a known active anxiolytic drug, diazepam. Ginseng total saponin (GTS, 100 mg/kg) from red ginseng (RG), sun ginseng (SG) total extract (50 mg/kg), butanol fraction of SG(25 and 50 mg/kg) and ginsenosides ($Rb_1,\;Rg_1,\;and\;Rg_5$ and Rk mixture) significantly increased the number of open arm entries and the time spent on the open arm, compared with that of control. However, Red ginseng (RG) total extract (l00 mg/kg), GTS (25, 50 mg/kg), SG total extract (25 mg/kg) and ginsenosides ($Rg_{3}-R\;and\;Rg_{3}-S$) did not increase the number of open arm entries and the time spent on the open arm. On the other hand, butanol fraction of RG (l00 mg/kg), total extract of SG (50 mg/kg), butanol fraction of SG (50 mg/kg), ginsenosides ($Rb_{1},\;and\;Rg_{5}$ and Rk mixture) decreased the locomotor activity, in a similar fashion to diazepam. These data support that ginseng has the anxiolytic-like effects and the anxiolytic potential of SG was stronger than that of RG. Ginsenosides $Rb_{1},\;Rg_{1},\;and\;Rg_{5}$ and Rk mixture play important role on the anxiolytic-like effects of Panax ginseng. We provide evidence that ginseng and some ginsenosides may be useful for the treatment of anxiety.