• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 1979

Present studies were carried out to clarify the variation of flowering date in the variants of Korean ginseng Plants. In general, the variation of flowering date of violet-stem variant was found to be mere variable as compared with that of yellow-berry variant. And flowers began to bloom earlier in yellow-berry variant than in violet-stem variant. In violet-stem variant as well as in yellow-berry variant, the flowering date of 5-year old plants was earlier than that of 3- and 4-year old plants. As for the flowering date according to the different lines, the third line was earlier than the first or the fifth line.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Ginseng is a popular medicinal plant highly valued throughout the world. Asian ginseng is one of the most common species of ginseng. It has long occupied a significant position in oriental medicine and has been justified its name as the 'king herb'. As a nutritional supplement, ginseng is an extremely common and popular herbal medicine in the United States and Canada in recent decades. The multiple constituents of ginseng possess equally multifaceted pharmacological actions as demonstrated by numerous studies. Ginseng root and its constituents influenced the central nervous system, endocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal system, sexual, renal organ and immune system, etc. One important action is its anti-hyperglycemic effect. Previous studies on ginseng demonstrate that only the root of ginseng has been used in the treatment of diabetes, while the other parts of ginseng plant were always neglected. Recently, we analyzed the constituents of ginseng berry, leaf and discovered that ginseng berry, leaf extracts and its total ginsenosides have the ability to reduce hyperglycemia and body weight and increase the peripheral glucose utilization in obese or diabetic ob/ob or db/db mice. Our data suggest that all parts of ginseng plant, including root, berry, leaf and stem exhibit potent anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects and may provide an opportunity to develop a novel class of anti-diabetic agents.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.606-617
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• 2019

Background: The Panax ginseng berry extract (GBE) is well known to have an antidiabetic effect. The aim of this study is to evaluate and investigate the protective effect of ultrasonication-processed P. ginseng berry extract (UGBE) compared with GBE on liver fibrosis induced by mild bile duct ligation (MBDL) model in rats. After ultrasonication process, the composition ratio of ginsenoside in GBE was changed. The component ratio of ginsenosides Rh1, Rh4, Rg2, Rg3, Rk1, Rk3, and F4 in the extract was elevated. Methods: In this study, the protective effect of the newly developed UGBE was evaluated on hepatotoxicity and neuronal damage in MBDL model. Silymarin (150 mg/kg) was used for positive control. UGBE (100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg), GBE (250 mg/kg), and silymarin (150 mg/kg) were orally administered for 6 weeks after MBDL surgery. Results: The MBDL surgery induced severe hepatotoxicity that leads to liver inflammation in rats. Also, the serum ammonia level was increased by MBDL surgery. However, the liver dysfunction of MBDL surgery-operated rats was attenuated by UGBE treatment via myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathways. Conclusion: UGBE has a protective effect on liver fibrosis induced by MBDL in rats through inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway in liver.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.540-548
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• 2018

Background: Acute hepatic failure is a life-threatening critical condition associated with rapid deterioration of liver function and liver transplantation. Several studies have shown that Panax ginseng Mayer has antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects. However, the hepatoprotective effect of ginseng berry is still unveiled. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of ultrasonication-processed ginseng berry extract (UGBE) on acute hepatic failure model in rats. Methods: Ginseng berry extract (GBE) was ultrasonically processed. The GBE, silymarin, and UGBE were orally administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 wk. Twenty-four h after the last administration, rats were challenged with D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: After ultrasonication, the component ratio of ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rh1, Rh4, Rk1, Rk3, and F4 in GBE had been elevated. Administration of UGBE significantly increased the survival rate of D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats. Pretreatment with UGBE significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels in D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of enzymatic markers for oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione) were increased by UGBE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Tumor necrosis factor alphalevel, inducible nitric oxide synthase activities, and nitric oxide productions were reduced by UGBE treatment. In addition, hemeoxygenase-1 levels in liver were also significantly increased in the UGBE-treated group. The protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 was decreased by UGBE administration. Hematoxylin and eosin staining results also supported the results of this study showing normal appearance of liver histopathology in the UGBE-treated group. Conclusion: UGBE showed a great hepatoprotective effect on D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats via the toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.7794-7800
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• 2015

Ginsenosides in ginseng berry has been known as functional materials showing physiological effect to the human. Specially, ginseng berry contains plenty of ginsenoside Re, but the study of extraction processes were not enough performed. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to establish the optimized extraction process for obtaining ginsenoside Re from ginseng berry. The extraction process of ginsenosides was performed in 250 mL extraction flask containing 150 solvent and 10 g of dried ginseng berry. The extracted ginsenoside Re, Rg1 and Rd and total crude ginsenosides from ginseng berry were evaluated by TLC according to the treated conditions (the ratio of alcohol to water, extraction temperature, extraction period, and extraction times). Optimized conditions for extraction was 70% to 30% of the ratio of alcohol to water, $80^{\circ}C$ of extraction temperature, 4 h of extraction period, and 2 times of extraction frequency. The amount of total crude ginsenosides of the extract obtained from the optimized process was 88.6 mg/g based on dried ginseng berry. The composition of ginsenosides from the extracted was 5.5% of Rb1, 5.2% of Rc, 14.3% of Rd, 51.5% of Re, 8.1% of Rf, and 15.7% of Rg1. A protopanaxtriol ginsenosides of whole ginsenosides extracted was about 80%.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 1987

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of light intensity, temperature and seasonal trends on the photosynthesis as well as the physiological characteristics of Panax species and cultivars. Four-year-old plant of Violet-stem variant, Yellow-berry variant, Mimaki and Russian ginseng of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and American ginseng of Panax quiquefolium L. were used for study. These Panax species and cultivars were cultivated under the straw shading. The light saturation point of leaves in Violet-stem variant, Yellow-berry variant, Mimaki and American ginseng were 15,000 lux, but that of Russian ginseng was 10,000 lux. The optimum air temperature on the phtosynthesis of Violet-stem variant, Yellow-berry variant, Mimaki and American ginseng were 20$^{\circ}C$ but that of Russian ginseng was 15$^{\circ}C$ under 15,000 lux. The photosynthetic rates were increased in order of Russian ginseng, Mimaki, Yellow-berry variant, Violet-stem variant and American ginseng. The respiration rates of ginseng leaves were increased according to the increasing of temperature, but it was not different among Panax species and cultivars. Stomata frequency of American ginseng was highest, that of Russian ginseng lowest, while the length of stomata was reverse. The total chlorophyll content of American ginseng and specific leaf weight of Mimaki were higher than other ginseng cultivars. The root weight of American ginseng was heavier than others, but that of Russian ginseng was lighter. The num ber of leaflets per plant of 2-year-old plant and the root weight of 6-year-old plant were increased in order of Russian ginseng, American ginseng, Mimaki, Yellow-berry variant and Violet-stem variant.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.6
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• pp.13-34
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• 2024

The abolishment of the red ginseng monopoly act by the Korean government in 1996 resulted in a drastic change in the Korean ginseng industry, leading to a significant increase in the market size and consumption of ginseng products. Red ginseng is most popular type, with approximately 74% of harvested fresh ginseng being processed into various red ginseng products. Since 1997, there has been a substantial increase in the cultivation of ginseng for production of red ginseng, which, in turn, has contributed to the proliferation of ginseng processing companies. To investigate the products of ginseng manufacturing businesses, we select 200 companies primarily engaged in ginseng processing or specializing solely in ginseng. Our survey on the status of ginseng industry covered 8 different categories. 1) Root ginseng: There were 66 companies involved in manufacturing red ginseng root, accounting for 33.0% of all surveyed companies. This was followed by black ginseng root with 36 companies (18.0%) and red ginseng fine roots with 22 companies (11%). 2) Red ginseng products: A total of 144 companies were involved in manufacturing red ginseng pouches, making it the most common product category. This was closely followed by 142 companies producing pure(100%) red ginseng extract concentrate. 3) Fermented red ginseng products: Companies producing fermented red ginseng extract concentrate products were the most numerous, totaling 26. Following this, companies producing fermented red ginseng stick and pouch products were next in line. 4) Ginseng products: There were 15 companies involved in the production of ginseng products, with the majority focusing on ginseng tea. 5) Black ginseng products: Companies producing black ginseng extract concentrate were the most numerous, with 31 companies, followed by 26 companies producing black ginseng extract pouches. 6) Taegeuk ginseng products: Only 5 companies were involved in the production of taegeuk ginseng products. 7) Fermented black ginseng, and 8) Ginseng berry products: These categories are manufactured by less than 5 companies each. However, the variety in ginseng berry products suggests the potential for future growth. In the 2000s, a trend emerged with the development of new processed products aimed at enhancing the functional components of red ginseng, and these products have captured the attention of consumers. However, this study primarily focuses on black ginseng, fermented red ginseng/fermented black ginseng, and ginseng berry products as they have exerted a significant influence on the overall ginseng industry.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 1998

An investigation was conducted to ascertain the basic information on characteristics of growth and morphological characters among the Korean (Panax. ginseng), the American (Panax. quinquefolium) and the Bamboo (Panax. japonicus) ginseng. In aerial parts growth of the ginseng species by age, The Korean ginseng and American ginseng's stem and leaf growth was alike in 2-4 years old, but growth cycle changed in 6 years old. The Korean ginseng was more vigorous than the American ginseng. The Korean ginseng roots were highly observed in ratio of red skin roots among three species, whereas The American ginseng roots were highly infected by root rot. It seems to be variable depending on growing stage and species. The Korean ginseng flowered about the middle of May, the American ginseng early June, and the Bamboo ginseng was late of May, The berry color of the ginseng species was observed, The Korean and American ginseng's mature berry color was red, The Bamboo ginseng's berry was three type of color and shape. In root characteristics of the seedling, Korean (p. ginseng), American (p. quinquefolium) ginseng's root shape was similarity in type, the bamboo ginseng showed different type, which root length and root weight was smaller than those of ginseng. In morphological characters of Leaf surface, pollen, and stoma, the Korean ginseng and American ginseng had crystal rosette on epidermis cell, but the Bamboo ginseng didn't has crystal rosette. Pollen shape observed tricolpate pollen and size was media type among the ginseng species, and also guard cell was anomocytic type, which were observed by scanning electronic microscope.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.81-84
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• 1979

Present studies were carried out to clarify the variation of agronomic characters of Panax ginseng (violet-stem variant and yellow-berry variant) and Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng). The variations of stem diameter. stem length, leaf width, root diameter. and root length of Panax quinquefolium were found to be more variable as compared with those of Panax ginseng. As for the variations of agronomic characters of Panax ginseng. violet-stem variant was more variable than yellow-berry variant. In Panax ginseng as well as Panax quinquefolium . the variability of stem length. leaf length, and root length was high. while the other agronomic characters showed comparatively low variability.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.282-290
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• 2020

Background: Ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in treating various medical conditions. Chronic gut inflammation is a recognized factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this project, Asian ginseng berry polysaccharide preparations were used to assess their effects on CRC and related immune regulation mechanisms. Methods: Ginseng berry polysaccharide extract (GBPE) and purified ginseng berry polysaccharide portion (GBPP) were used to evaluate their activities on human HCT-116 and HT-29 CRC cell proliferation. Interleukin-8 secretion analysis was performed on HT-29 cells. Naive CD4 cell isolation and T-helper cell differentiation were performed and determined using flow cytometry for Th1 and Treg in addition to cell cycle and apoptotic investigation. Results: GBPE and GBPP significantly inhibited interleukin-8 secretion and cancer cell proliferation, inhibited CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ cell (Th1) differentiation, and decreased CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ cell (Treg) differentiation. Compared to the GBPE, GBPP showed more potent antiinflammatory activities on the malignant cells. This is consistent with the observation that GBPP can also inhibit Th1-cell differentiation better, suggesting that it has an important role in antiinflammation, whereas Treg cells hinder the body's immune response against malignancies. Supported by cell cycle and apoptosis data, GBPE and GBPP, at various degrees, remarkably enhanced the anticancer activities of 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Data from this project suggested that Asian ginseng berry potentially has clinical utility in managing enteric inflammation and suppressing CRC through immunomodulation mechanisms.