• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.218.1-218.1
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• 2003

Saponins are known to be the major constituent of Panax ginseng. More than 30 kinds of ginseng saponins are reported so far. The major saponins in white ginseng (WG) or red ginseng (RG) are ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1, and Re. HPLC method with ELSD or UV detection was used to analyze ginsenosides. Recently, a new processed ginseng with fortified activity, named as Sun Ginseng (SG), was reported. The major ginsenosides of SG are totally different from that of WG or RG, i.e., ginsenoside Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5 are the major constituents of SG. (omitted)

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.666-675
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• 2019

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been widely used as an herbal medicine to normalize and strengthen body functions. Although many researchers have focused on the biological effects of KRG, more studies on the action mechanism of red ginseng are still needed. Previously, we investigated the proteomic changes of the rat spleen while searching for molecular signatures and the action mechanism of KRG. The proteomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were involved in the increased immune response and phagocytosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of KRG, especially the immune-enhancing response of KRG. Methods: Rats were divided into 4 groups: 0 (control group), 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg administration of KRG powder for 6 weeks, respectively. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation was performed with Q-Exactive LC-MS/MS to compare associated proteins between the groups. The putative DEPs were identified by a current UniProt rat protein database search and by the Gene Ontology annotations. Results: The DEPs appear to increase the innate and acquired immunity as well as immune cell movement. These results suggest that KRG can stimulate immune responses. This analysis refined our targets of interest to include the potential functions of KRG. Furthermore, we validated the potential molecular targets of the functions, representatively LCN2, CRAMP, and HLA-DQB1, by Western blotting. Conclusion: These results may provide molecular signature candidates to elucidate the mechanisms of the immune response by KRG. Here, we demonstrate a strategy of tissue proteomics for the discovery of the molecular function of KRG.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.296-303
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• 2022

Background: Skin microbiota is important for maintenance of skin homeostasis; however, its disturbance may cause an increase in pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, we aimed to develop a red ginseng formulation that can selectively promote beneficial bacteria. Methods: The effects of red ginseng formulation on microorganism growth were analyzed by comparing the growth rates of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Cutibacterium acnes. Various preservatives mixed with red ginseng formulation were evaluated to determine the ideal composition for selective growth promotion of S. epidermidis. Red ginseng formulation with selected preservative was loaded into a biocompatible polymer mixture and applied to the faces of 20 female subjects in the clinical trial to observe changes in the skin microbiome. Results: Red ginseng formulation promoted the growth of S. aureus and S. epidermidis compared to fructooligosaccharide. When 1,2-hexanediol was applied with red ginseng formulation, only S. epidermidis showed selective growth. The analysis of the release rates of ginsenoside-Rg1 and -Re revealed that the exact content of Pluronic F-127 was around 11%. The application of hydrogel resulted in a decrease in C. acnes in all subjects. In subjects with low levels of S. epidermidis, the distribution of S. epidermidis was significantly increased with the application of hydrogel formulation and total microbial species of subjects decreased by 50% during the clinical trial. Conclusion: We confirmed that red ginseng formulation with 1,2-hexanediol can help maintain skin homeostasis through improvement of skin microbiome.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.349-354
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• 2009

This study was conducted to develop a new method for enhancing ginsenoside $Rg_3$, which is abundant in black ginseng. The cognition-enhancing effect of black ginseng extract was investigated via the assay of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Black ginseng I was prepared through the traditional method (by steaming and drying nine times repetitions). Black ginseng II, on the other hand, was prepared by steaming the ginseng three times at $120^{\circ}C$ for 30 min after soaking it in grape juice for 24 h. The ginsenosides of white, red, and black ginseng I, and II were investigated using the HPLC method, respectively. In black ginseng II, the ginsenoside $Rg_3$ contents, which cannot be found in white ginseng, amounted to 10.91 mg/g, approximately 18 times more than that in red ginseng. In the in-vivo study, black ginseng extract (200 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the AChE activity after 24 h by a single administration in the brain. Thus, the new manufacturing method for black ginseng was found to more effective in the conversion of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ compared to the traditional method. Black ginseng may also have the effect of preventing the cognitive impairment induced by cholinergic dysfunction.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.848-853
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• 2007

The effects of high-hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the ginsenoside concentration in Korean red ginseng were investigated. HHP-pretreated Korean red ginseng samples were compared to samples produced by a conventional method. Six-year-old Korean fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) samples were vacuum-packaged in polyethylene film and treated at room temperature for 1 min with HHP (200-600 MPa) and steamed at $98^{\circ}C$ for 3 hr. Major ginsenosides of red ginseng were analyzed by HPLC. HHP-pretreated red ginseng showed a 45% higher level of total major ginsenosides than conventionally prepared red ginseng. The levels of 4 protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides increased 34-43% and the levels of 5 protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides increased 45-66%. Scanning electron microscopy and electrical conductivity spectrum analysis showed that HHP pretreatment damaged ginseng plant cells and increased extraction efficiencies of ginsenosides from red ginseng products.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 1997

In order to explain the connection between ginseng rust spot and soil ecological conditions, the bed soils and ginseng roots were sampled at different microrelief units and the reducing substances of the bed soils and iron forms of the ginseng root epi dermises were determined. The results showed that the occurrence of the rust spot was connected with the ecological conditions of the soils and the metabolism of the plant which was caused by the excessive $Fe^{2+}$ in the soil solution. Ginseng rust spot was the enrichment of iron which was mainly composed of organic complex irons. Including active ferrous active ferric and non active ferric forms and they were transformed into each other following the change of soil moisture and temperature regimes. According to the regularity of growth and decline of reducing substances in soil and rust index of ginseng roots as well as the difference of adaptability to excessive $Fe^{2+}$ in soil among different year-old seeding, a new comprehensive measure based on the connection of ameliorating soil and improving cultivation system was recommended to prevent the occurrence of ginseng rust spot.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2006

There are need to develop of merchandise of value added fresh ginseng because of high consciousness level of consumer and enlarge of markets for high quality products. The fresh ginseng after harvest was distributed to farmer partually but in general, it was to market by consigner or wholsaler directly after harvest. There were a high difference on storage period of fresh ginseng in different harvesting seasons. The reduction of value of commodities of fresh ginseng for storage period was caused by decomposition and tender of tissue. The storage temperature was under the freezing point and the packing method was sealing tightly by plastic film. As the quality of fresh ginseng was defined by naked eye, it was difficult to sort the quality of ginseng directly harvest.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.307-317
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• 1996

This study was undertaken to examine the effects of fresh ginseng addition on the chemical and sensory properties of dongchimi juice fermented under various conditions. The contents of free sugars in dongchimi juice during fermentation increased at the initial stage, but decreased at the palatable stage and then increased again thereafter. Free sugars were higher in dongchlml juice with 4% of ginseng addition than with Soye ginseng and without ginseng addition. Analyses of organic acid contents showed that all three groups contained relatively high amounts of citric, lactic and malic acids. It was also found that, as fermentation progressed, the amounts of tactic and acetic acids in- creased, while that of malic acid decreased at the palatable stage and increased again thereafter. Total saponins were highest in dongchimi juice fermented at 4$^{\circ}C$ with 4% of ginseng addition and panax atrlol ginsenosldes were found more than panaxadiol ginsenosides in dongchimi juice The results of sensory evaluation revealed that dongchimi juice prepared with the addition of $4^{\circ}C$ and 4% ginseng was lower in sour taste and moldy off flavor than the control, thus scoring high In total acceptability. Dongchimi juice with 4% of ginseng addition was best in most sensory characteristics.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.679-686
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• 2014

This study was carried out to evaluate the quality characteristics of cookies added with various concentrations (0, 1, 3 and 5%) of ginseng leaf powder. The pH of the cookies significantly decreased with increased ginseng leaf powder concentrations (p<0.05), but the density of cookies showed no significant differences. Spread factor, loss rate, and leaving rate of cookies decreased according to the amount of added ginseng leaf powder. The lightness and yellowness of cookies decreased as the concentration of the ginseng leaf powder increased whereas no significant difference in the redness was found with increased ginseng leaf concentration. In the texture analysis, the hardness of the cookies increased according to the concentration of ginseng leaf. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the cookies significantly increased with increased ginseng leaf concentration (p<0.05). In the sensory evaluation, sensory scores for color, taste and overall acceptability were highest in the 3% ginseng leaf cookies. Thus, our results suggested that the optimum amount of ginseng leaf powder to add to cookies was 3%.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.266-275
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• 2024

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation of cancer cells that exhibit stem cell-like characteristics, including self-renewal and differentiation in a multi-stage lineage state via symmetric or asymmetric division, causing tumor initiation, heterogeneity, progression, and recurrence and posing a major challenge to current anticancer therapy. Despite the importance of CSCs in carcinogenesis and cancer progression, currently available anticancer therapeutics have limitations for eradicating CSCs. Moreover, the efficacy and therapeutic windows of currently available anti-CSC agents are limited, suggesting the necessity to optimize and develop a novel anticancer agent targeting CSCs. Ginseng has been traditionally used for enhancing immunity and relieving fatigue. As ginseng's long history of use has demonstrated its safety, it has gained attention for its potential pharmacological properties, including anticancer effects. Several studies have identified the bioactive principles of ginseng, such as ginseng saponin (ginsenosides) and non-saponin compounds (e.g., polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, and phenolic compounds), and their pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifatigue, and neuroprotective effects. Notably, recent reports have shown the potential of ginseng-derived compounds as anti-CSC agents. This review investigates the biology of CSCs and efforts to utilize ginseng-derived components for cancer treatment targeting CSCs, highlighting their role in overcoming current therapeutic limitations.