• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.382-390
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• 2020

This study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) against several foodborne pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial effect was determined by agar diffusion method using red ginseng extract, crude saponin and non-water-soluble fractions. Red ginseng extract showed antimicrobial effect against S. aureus, but not C. albicans or A. niger. The extract showed anti-bacterial activity at concentration above 30% against S. aureus, which cause both food poisoning and atophic dermatitis. Crude saponin showed antibacterial activity above 7.5% against the bacterium. However, the ginsenosides purified from crude saponin showed no antimicrobial activities at 100-200 ㎍/mL. To investigate the mode of growth inhibition, red ginseng extract and crude saponin were added to 0.85% NaCl solution containing S. aureus and then incubated at 35℃ for 12 h. The results showed that viable cells were rapidly reduced in above 10% concentration of red ginseng extract and above 2% of crude saponin, respectively. However, the crude saponin and red ginseng extract did not inhibit the bacterial cells completely at those same concentrations. On the other hand, whereas all non-water-soluble fractions showed inhibition zones above 10 mm against S. aureus, they showed no inhibition effects against E. coli, C. albicans or A. niger. The methanol fraction-1 (MF-1) showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus, and the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) was 0.625 mg/mL. These results suggest that red ginseng extract, crude saponin and non-water-soluble fractions show selective antibacterial activity against S. aureus, and non-water-soluble fractions might be used as natural antibacterial agents.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.305-314
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop the high efficiency of ginseng by using microwave low temperature vacuum drying technology. In red ginseng manufacturing processes, the study results compared the hot-air drying red ginseng dried during 24hours in $60-70^{\circ}C$ and redried during 72hours in $40^{\circ}C$ after the steaming ginseng with the red ginseng dried in microwave low temperature vacuum dryer on condition that 900 watt, 2.45 MHz, 50 mmHg during 5 hours and redried during 2 hours on 750 mmHg after the steaming ginseng about observation of tissue, sensory evaluation and a change of ginsenoside and crude saponin content. As a result, the red ginseng in microwave low temperature vacuum was had high brightness, the surface turned into porosity tissue and added more flavor, decreased bitterness highly on the contrary increased sweetness at the same time that elevated the comprehensive preference. Moreover, In a short time, the content of ginsenosides $Rg_1$ and $Rb_1$ increased about sixfold, eightfold in one time zone but there were no wide difference in content of $Rg_3$ as compared to the hot-air drying red ginseng. Finally, content of crude saponin was increased widely at 10-20 minutes and stayed high crude saponin content consistently. Therefore, this result indicated that the red ginseng in microwave low temperature vacuum increased extraction yields of the ginsenosides and crude saponin through a change of porosity tissue and improved flavor and texture compare with the general hot air dried red ginseng in a short time. According to these results, that provided that could increase the preference about red ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of crude saponin from red ginseng efflux (RGE-CS) on biochemical parameters in male rats acutely exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-$\rho$-dioxin (TCDD). Forty male rats ($200{\pm}20g$) were divided into 4 groups. Normal control group (NC) received vehicle and saline; only TCDD-treated group (TT) received TCDD ($5{\mu}g/kg$, single dose) intrperitoneally; RGE-CS 20 received 20 mg/kg of crude saponin i.p. for 4 weeks from 1 week before TCDD-exposure; RGE-CS 40 also received 40 mg/kg of crude saponin i.p. for 4 weeks from 1 week before TCDD-exposure. Body weight of TT group was significantly decreased after TCDD-exposure. However, body weight of crude saponin groups increased throughout the experimental period, although the increasing rate was slower than that of NC group. Decrease in body weight was not observed during the experimental period in RGE-CS 40. Increases in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), AST, ALT and $Fe^{2+}$ levels by TCDD intoxication were significantly attenuated by the RGE-CS treatment. Decrease in glucose, amylase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine kinase (CK) by TCDD also were inhibited by the RGE-CS. These results suggest that saponin from red-ginseng efflux might be a useful protective agent against TCDD, an endocrine disrupter.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 2015

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used as a traditional oriental medicine to treat illness and to promote health for several thousand years in Eastern Asia. It is widely accepted that ginseng saponins, ginsenosides, are the major active ingredients responsible for Korean Red Ginseng's therapeutic activity against many kinds of illness. Although the crude saponin fraction (CSF) displayed antiplatelet activity, the molecular mechanism of its action remains to be elucidated. Methods: The platelet aggregation was induced by collagen, the ligand of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}{\beta}_I$ and glycoprotein VI. The crude saponin's effects on granule secretion [e.g., calcium ion mobilization and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release] were determined. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and p38 MAPK, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt was analyzed by immunoblotting. In addition, the activation of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}b{\beta}_{III}$ was examined by fluorocytometry. Results: CSF strongly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and ATP release in a concentration-dependent manner. It also markedly suppressed $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in collagen-stimulated platelets. Immunoblotting assay revealed that CSF significantly suppressed ERK1/2, p38, JNK, PI3K, Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, our fraction strongly inhibited the fibrinogen binding to integrin ${\alpha}_{IIb}{\beta}_3$. Conclusion: Our present data suggest that CSF may have a strong antiplatelet property and it can be considered as a candidate with therapeutic potential for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders involving abnormal platelet function.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.545-556
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• 2001

Crude saponin fractions were isolated using non-ionic resin chromatography from Ginseng Radix Alba (PG) and Gynostemmae Herba+ (GP). These saponin fractions were orally administered to strep- tozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 2 weeks and to high-fat diet-induced obese rats for 4 weeks. Treatment with either PG saponin or GP saponin at a dose of 1 mg/kg significantly decreased the plasma glucose level to that of glibenclamide treated or normal groups. The increased plasma triglyceride (TG) level in diabetic rats was decreased by 50% with PG or GP saponin treatment. Combined administration of PG and GP saponins with different ratios (total dose of 1 mg/kg) also had the similar effects on the blood glucose and TG levels with that of PG or GP alone. Treatments with GP (1 mg/kg) or GP (0.5 mg/kg) and PG (0.5 mg/kg) together significantly suppressed the rise in TG levels induced by high-fat diet whereas slightly suppressed the rise in the total cholesterol level. The body weight gain was also decreased both in the two saponin treated groups. These results demonstrate that either alone or mixture of PG and GP have similar degree of effects on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.206-214
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• 1993

Ginseng saponins have been known as main active principles and analyzed as the index components in ginseng and its products for quality control. But it is generally difficult to analyze the saponins in crude drug preparations. Saponins, Prosapogenins and sapogenins of crude drug preparation were identified by TLC and determined quantitatively by HPLC. $Prosapogemins-Rg_3\;-Rg_2\;and\;{\Delta}^{20}-prosapogenin$ were extracted with ethyl acetate from $50\%$ acetic acid hydrolyzates of saponin fractions and identified by TLC with lower phase of $CHCl_3/MeOH/H_2$ O\65:35:10. v/v)on silica gel plate, and quantified by HPLC on $Lichrosorb-NH_2$ column with $CH_3CN/H_2O(90:10,\;v/v).$ Sapogenins. panaxadiol and panaxatriol. were extracted with ethyl ether from $7\%-sulfuric$ acid hydrolyzates of saponin fractions and identified by TLC with chloroform/acetone(1 : 1 v/v) on silica gel plate. and quantified by HPLC on u - Bondapak $C^{18}$ column with $CH_3CN/MeOH/CHCl_3(83:10:7.\;v/v).$ These analyses of prosapogenins and sapogenins are more useful for quality control than those of saponins in crude drug preparations such as So - Shi - Ho - Tang(소시호탕), Sa - Kun - Ja - Tang(사군자탕), Yook - Kun - Ja - Tang(육군자탕), and In - Sam -Tang(인삼탕)

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.327-335
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• 2010

We reported previously that the administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) protected the guinea pig testis against damage induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (a potent endocrine disruptor). We also found that crude saponin from ginseng was the active ingredient responsible for this protection. Here, we examined the biological role of KRG-WE in an animal model of age-induced dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (six 2-month-old and eighteen 12-month-old) rats were used. The young and old control groups received only vehicle. The ginseng saponin (GS)- and KRG-WE-treated groups received GS (40 mg/kg body weight/day) and KRG-WE (200 mg/kg body weight/day), respectively, for 4 months. The number of cells, Sertoli cell index, Johnsen's score, and sex hormone levels decreased significantly with age. However, the administration of KRG-WE and GS markedly improved the number of germ cells, seminiferous tubular size, and Johnsen's score in the old rats. Ginseng produced a distinct testicular histological improvement in old rats. KRG-WE and GS elevated testosterone levels, while attenuating the aberrant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Sperm kinematics evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer demonstrated improvement in the percentage of motile sperm, progressive sperm motility, and curvilinear velocity associated with sperm quality, supporting the beneficial role of red ginseng in senile spermatogenesis. Overall, the total water extract had a more potent effect than the corresponding saponin fraction. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng rejuvenated age-induced testicular dysfunction. Additionally, the total water extract was more potent than the corresponding saponin fraction.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.259-264
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• 1985

The research was carried out for the purpose of finding effects of gerbal saponins on aflatoxin synthesis by Aspergillus parasitics NRRL 2999. A. parasiticus with $10^6$ conidia were grown at $30^{\circ}C$ for 9 days on the enriched medium that is optimum for the frowth and aflatoxins production by the mold. The inhibitory effect on the growth and aflatoxins produced by the mold occurred in the presence of 0.36% of crude red-ginseng saponin showing both the growth and aflatoxins production come to 62.3% (growth), 38.7% (aflatoxin $B_1$) and 22.9% (aflatoxin $G_1$) of the control. Thd next effective saponin to inhibit the growth and aflatoxins production was from burdock seeds. However, saponin extracted from honeysuckle flowers had no inhibitory effect. The mold caused no changes in the pH of the medium when it contained red-ginseng saponin. Red-ginseng saponin was more effective than the white-ginseng in inhibiting both the growth and aflatoxin production.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.127-131
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• 1993

The effects of total ginseng saponin. extracts of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, on the differentiation of F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells were studied. F9 stem cells cultured in the presence of ginseng saponin together with dibutyric cAMP became parietal endoderm - like cells. Moreover, the expressions of differentiation marker genes. laminin. type IV collagen. and retinoic acid $receptor-{\beta}(RAR{\beta})$ were increased after treatment of ginseng saponin. Among various ginsenosides purified from crude ginseng saponin, $Rh_1\;and\;Rh_2$ caused the differentiation of F9 cells most effectively. Since ginsenosides and steroid hormone show resemblance in chemical structure. we studied the possibility of the involvement of a steroid receptor in the differentiation process induced by ginsenosides. According to Southwestern blot analysis, a 94 kDa protein regarding as a steroid receptor was detected in F9 cells cultured in the medium containing ginseng saponin. Based on these data, we suggest that ginseng saponin, especially ginsenosides $Rh_1\;and\;Rh_2$ cause the differentiation of F9 cells and the effects of ginsenosides might be exerted via binding with a steroid receptor or its analogous nuclear receptor.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.171-177
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• 2003

Previously we have reported that administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) plays both preventive and therapeutic roles in testicular toxicity of guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Further study was carried out to verify the beneficial role of Korean red ginseng in TCDD-induced testicular toxicity with different animal species by different route of administration. Korean red ginseng crude saponin (KRG-CS) was prepared by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. One hundred twenty rats (Sprauge Dawley, 200${\pm}$10 g) were divided into 6 groups. The normal control group (NC) received vehicle (i.p.) and saline (p.o.). Predetermined dosage of TCDD (40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg b.w., i.p.) was administered to single TCDD-treated (TT) and test (CS) groups. KRG-CS was admin-istered (p.o.) at daily doses of 5 (CS5), 10 (CS10),20 (CS2O) and/or 40 mg/kg b.w. (CS40) for 5 weeks, starting 1 week before the TCDD-exposure. Body weight gain, organ weights, and sperm quality were investigated. Decrease in body weight gain induced by TCDD was greatly attenuated by KRG-CS in a dose-dependent manner. Testicular weight, sperm head counts and ratio of sperm with progressive movement in TT group decreased significantly but those parameters were improved by the treatment of KRG-CS in a dose-dependent manner. This result led us to conclude that crude saponin might be the active ingredient of Korean red ginseng that attenuates the testicular toxicity induced by TCDD.