• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2010

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals. It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both ginsengs. Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best selling herbs in the US, and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years. In this article, after a brief introduction of the distribution and cultivation of American ginseng, we discuss chemical analysis of saponins from these two ginsengs, i.e., their similarities and differences. Subsequently, we review pharmacological effects of the saponins, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects. These investigations were mainly derived from American ginseng studies. We also discuss evidence suggesting that chemical modifications of ginseng saponins would be a valuable approach to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to acquire the active compounds of Anisi stellati fructus (ASF) and to analyze the genes and diseases it targets, focusing on its antibacterial effects using a system pharmacological analysis approach. Active compounds of ASF were obtained through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) Database and Analysis Platform. This contains the pharmacokinetic properties of active compounds and related drug-target-disease networks, which is a breakthrough in silico approach possible at the network level. Gene information of targets was gathered from the UnitProt Database, and gene ontology analysis was performed using the David 6.8 Gene Functional Classification Tool. A total of 201 target genes were collected, which corresponded to the nine screened active compounds, and 47 genes were found to act on biological processes related to antimicrobial activity. The representative active compounds involved in antibacterial action were luteolin, kaempferol, and quercetin. Among their targets, Chemokine ligand2, Interleukin-10, Interleukin-6, and Tumor Necrosis Factor were associated with more than three antimicrobial biological processes. This study has provided accurate evidence while saving time and effort to select future laboratory research materials. The data obtained has provided important data for infection prevention and treatment strategies.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2019

A major predictor of the efficacy of natural or synthetic cannabinoids is their binding affinity to the cannabinoid type I receptor ($CB_1$) in the central nervous system, as the main psychological effects of cannabinoids are achieved via binding to this receptor. Conventionally, receptor binding assays have been performed using isotopes, which are inconvenient owing to the effects of radioactivity. In the present study, the binding affinities of five cannabinoids for purified $CB_1$ were measured using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique as a putative non-isotopic receptor binding assay. Results were compared with those of a radio-isotope-labeled receptor binding assay. The representative natural cannabinoid ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol and four synthetic cannabinoids, JWH-015, JWH-210, RCS-4, and JWH-250, were assessed using both the SPR biosensor assay and the conventional isotopic receptor binding assay. The binding affinities of the test substances to $CB_1$ were determined to be (from highest to lowest) $9.52{\times}10^{-3}M$ (JWH-210), $6.54{\times}10^{-12}M$ (JWH-250), $1.56{\times}10^{-11}M$ (${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol), $2.75{\times}10^{-11}M$ (RCS-4), and $6.80{\times}10^{-11}M$ (JWH-015) using the non-isotopic method. Using the conventional isotopic receptor binding assay, the same order of affinities was observed. In conclusion, our results support the use of kinetic analysis via SPR in place of the isotopic receptor binding assay. To replace the receptor binding affinity assay with SPR techniques in routine assays, further studies for method validation will be needed in the future.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.505-514
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• 2022

Background: The roots of Panax ginseng contain two types of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, namely, protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type saponins and protopanaxatiol (PPT)-type saponins. In P. ginseng, the protopanaxadiol 6-hydroxylase (PPT synthase) enzyme catalyses protopanaxatriol (PPT) production from protopanaxadiol (PPD). In this study, we constructed homozygous mutant lines of ginseng by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of the PPT synthase gene and obtained the mutant ginseng root lines having complete depletion of the PPT-type ginsenosides. Methods: Two sgRNAs (single guide RNAs) were designed for target mutations in the exon sequences of the two PPT synthase genes (both PPTa and PPTg sequences) with the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Transgenic ginseng roots were generated through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The mutant lines were screened by ginsenoside analysis and DNA sequencing. Result: Ginsenoside analysis revealed the complete depletion of PPT-type ginsenosides in three putative mutant lines (Cr4, Cr7, and Cr14). The reduction of PPT-type ginsenosides in mutant lines led to increased accumulation of PPD-type ginsenosides. The gene editing in the selected mutant lines was confirmed by targeted deep sequencing. Conclusion: We have established the genome editing protocol by CRISPR/Cas9 system in P. ginseng and demonstrated the mutated roots producing only PPD-type ginsenosides by depleting PPT-type ginsenosides. Because the pharmacological activity of PPD-group ginsenosides is significantly different from that of PPT-group ginsenosides, the new type of ginseng mutant producing only PPD-group ginsenosides may have new pharmacological characteristics compared to wild-type ginseng. This is the first report to generate target-induced mutations for the modification of saponin biosynthesis in Panax species using CRISPR-Cas9 system.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.38-44
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• 2021

[Purpose] Exercise can prevent conditions such as atrophy and degenerative brain diseases. However, owing to individual differences in athletic ability, exercise supplements can be used to improve a person's exercise capacity. Schisandra chinensis (SC) is a natural product with various physiologically active effects. In this study, we analyzed SC using a pharmacological network and determined whether it could be used as an exercise supplement. [Methods] The active compounds of SC and target genes were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The active compound and target genes were selected based on pharmacokinetic (PK) conditions (oral bioavailability (OB) ≥ 30%, Caco-2 permeability (Caco-2) ≥ -0.4, and drug-likeness (DL) ≥ 0.18). Gene ontology (GO) was analyzed using the Cytoscape software. [Results] Eight active compounds were identified according to the PK conditions. Twenty-one target genes were identified after excluding duplicates in the eight active compounds. The top 10 GOs were analyzed using GO-biological process analysis. GO was subsequently divided into three representative categories: postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor activity (53.85%), an intracellular steroid hormone receptor signaling pathway (36.46%), and endopeptidase activity (10%). SC is related to immune function. [Conclusion] According to the GO analysis, SC plays a role in immunity and inflammation, promotes liver metabolism, improves fatigue, and regulates the function of steroid receptors. Therefore, we suggest SC as an exercise supplement with nutritional and anti-fatigue benefits.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.11-29
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• 2008

Objective : The aim of this study was to analyse the latest trend of medical science articles about Bojungikki-Tang published in Japan. Methods : We searched medical science articles published from 2003 to 2008 in Japan on the web site, CiNii and then these articles were reviewed and classified according to experimental subject and method. Results : Fifty-two articles, related to Bojungikki-Tang were searched and these were classified into three classes, pharmacological signaling studies, clinical case studies and the others. As a result of classification, clinical case studies were most abundant by 38 cases, pharmacological signaling studies were 10 and the others were 4. This result suggested that the study of Bojungikki-Tang was mainly focused on clinical study rather than experimental study. Among the clinical case studies, clinical studies related to immune disease took the most greatest number and number of other clinical studies were evenly distributed over the various disease. Immune intensification effect of Bojungikki-Tang can be thought continuous with reinforce the middle Jiao Qi in company with improvement effect on growth hormone failure and male infertility. A fact that the one prescription, Bojungikki-Tang could be used to treat various diseases reflects a viewpoint of Oriental medicine that is based on the respect for and understanding of individual constitution and disposition while paying attention to the gender difference and individuality. The clinical usefulness of Bojungikki-Tang on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and visceroptosis concerns with ascend Yang and treat Qi sinking. Pharmacological signaling studies were mainly focused on diseases that were treated Bojungikki-Tang in clinic, however, there was one study that experimented on changes of numerous gene expression according to the treatment of Bojungikki-Tang using DNA array. Conclusion : The therapeutic system of Oriental medicine is different in various aspects form that of Western medicine and appropriate harmonization of east and west is expected to improve the quality of medical care. In this regard, continuous investigation and analysis about herbal medical science papers in Japan can also be useful to make progress in Korean traditional medicine.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.402.3-403
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• 2002

Cilostazol. a quinolinone derivative that inhibits phosphodiesterase. is used for the treatment of intermittent claudication resulting from peripheral arterial disease. In order to perform pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies of cilostazol, specific. sensitive and reproducible analysis methods are demanded. Therefore. in the present study. an analytical method of cilostazol in human plasma was developed using semi-microbore HPLC equipped with automated column switching system. (omitted)

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2008

We have developed an efficient system of assessing the ability of a gene silencing cassette to silence transcripts from recalcitrant or poorly studied plant species by using a model plant as a host for the gene of interest. Tobacco plants transgenic for Lachrymatory Factor Synthase (LFS) enzyme activity from onion were first produced by introducing a CaMV 35S-onion-lfs gene construct. These plants were then subjected to a second transformation with an RNAi construct directed against the lfs gene sequence. LFS enzyme activity assay showed that the transgenic plants, containing both the lfs gene and the RNAi construct, had significantly reduced LFS activity. This observation was supported by Western analysis for the LFS protein and further validated by quantitative RT-PCR analysis that demonstrated a significant reduction in the lfs transcript level in the dual transformants. In this work, we have demonstrated that the RNAi construct is a suitable candidate for the development of a non-lachrymatory onion. Our model plant RNAi system has wide-reaching applications for assessment and targeting of plant secondary pathway genes, from poorly studied or recalcitrant plant species, that are important in the pharmacological, food and process industries.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.243-254
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• 2020

Objectives : Network pharmacology analysis is commonly used to investigate the synergies and potential mechanisms of multiple compounds by analyzing complex, multi-layered networks. We used TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases to compare results of network pharmacological analysis between White Ginseng(WG) and Red Ginseng(RG). Methods : WG and RG were compared with components and their target molecules using TCMSP database, and compound-target-pathway/disease networks were compared using BATMAN-TCM database. Results : Through TCMSP, 104 kinds of target molecules were derived from WG and 38 kinds were derived from RG. Using the BATMAN-TCM database, target pathways and diseases were screened, and more target pathways and diseases were screened compared to RG due to the high composition of WG ingredients. Analysis of component-target-pathway/disease network using network analysis tools provided by BATMAN-TCM showed that WG formed more networks than RG. Conclusions : Network pharmacology analysis can be effectively performed using various databases used in system biology research, and although the materials that have been reported in the past can be used efficiently for research on diseases related to targets, the results are unreliable if prior studies are focused on limited or narrow research areas.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.225-240
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of reminiscence therapy on depressive symptoms in older adults with dementia using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from January 2000 to January 2018 were searched through Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), Korean Medical Database (KMbase), KoreaMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Ovid MEDLINE. Two researchers independently performed the search, selection, and coding. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0 was used for meta-analysis, and Review Manager program 5.3 was used for quality assessment. Results: Out of the 1,250 retrieved articles, 22 RCTs were selected for analysis. The overall effect size of reminiscence therapy for mitigating depressive symptoms in older adults with dementia was -0.62 (95% Cl: -0.92 to -0.31). The effect size was greater in older adults under 80, those with less disease severity, and those for whom the therapy session lasted less than 40 minutes. Conclusion: Reminiscence therapy is an effective non-pharmacological therapy to improve depressive symptoms in older adults with dementia. Because its effectiveness is also influenced by age, disease severity, and application method, it is necessary to consider treatment designs based on individual characteristics as well as methodological approaches.