• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.264-269
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• 1985

The inheritance of violet and green stems was examined in F1 F2 of violetstem variant x yellow-berry variant in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, and the characters of F1 and F2 plants were investigated. From these results, it was shown that most of the characters of F1 and F2 plants were simillar to the female plants. However, reciprocal crosses between violet and green stems yielded progeny of violet-stem variant. Thus the cross V♀x♂Y gave all violet-stem seedlings, and the cross Y♂ x Y♀ gave all violet-stem seedlings. And all of the crosses segregated in F2 in a ratio of 3 violet to 1 green.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.359-367
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ingestion of rabies and ginseng fruit extracts on alcohol hangover, liver damage protection, fatigue recovery, and physical strength improvement. A total of 64 volunteers aged over 20 were participated in this study and the randomized and repeated measures design method was used to divide a group of participants with a random assignment. All participants were divided into 4 groups (n=16) treated with hoveni dulcis thunb extract + ginseng berry extract (ARI 1000), hoveni dulcis thunb extract, ginseng berry extract, and placebo. As a result of respiratory alcohol concentration change, the group treated with ARI 1000 was significantly lower than the group treated with hoveni dulcis thunb extract, ginseng berry extract, and placebo in 1 hour of drinking, and significantly lower than the placebo group in 2 hours and 3 hours of drinking (p<0.05). After 2 and 3 hours of alcohol consumption, blood alcohol concentration of the group treated with rabies ARI 1000 was significantly lower than those of the other 3 groups (p <0.05). In conclusion, ingestion of ARI 1000 before drinking may significantly reduce the respiratory and blood alcohol concentrations, which may induce an effect on the hangover effect.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.353-358
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• 2023

In the present study, to determine the efficacy of oral supplementation of ginseng berry extracts in augmenting exercise performance and exercise-associated metabolism, male mice were given orally 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of GBC for nine weeks. Although there are no differences in pre-exercise blood lactate levels among (1) the control group that received neither exercise nor GBC, (2) the group that performed only twice-weekly endurance exercise, and (3) and (4) the groups that combined twice-weekly endurance exercise with either 200 or 400 mg/kg GBC, statistically significant reductions in post-exercise blood lactate levels were observed in the groups that combined twice-weekly endurance exercise with oral administration of either 200 or 400 mg/kg GBC. Histological analysis showed no muscle hypertrophy, but transcriptome analysis revealed changes in gene sets related to lactate metabolism and mitochondrial function. GBC intake increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels in the gastrocnemius, possibly enhancing the mitochondrial electron transport system and lactate metabolism. Further molecular mechanisms are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 2020

This study was conducted to find out the optimal extraction conditions to obtain extracts with a high content of ginsenosides and antioxidant activity using the ginseng berry. After extraction by stirring, ultrasound and microwave method using 70% ethanol and distilled water as solvents, the results of considering the content of ginsenoside Re and Rb1, total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and whether it is an environmentally friendly manufacturing method, it was confirmed that the microwave method using distilled water is good method of extraction. The optimization of extraction conditions for microwave method were made by response surface methodology (RSM). Microwave power (50 ~ 200 W, X1), solvent and ginseng berry ratio (5 ~ 20 times, X2) and the extraction time (30 ~ 120 s, X3) were used as independent variables. The model showed a good fit having a determination coefficient of the regression equation of 0.9 or more and a p-value less than 0.05. Estimated conditions for the maximized extraction of ginsenoside contents and total polyphenols were 200 w in microwave power, 20 times in solvent and ginseng berry ratio, and 90 s in extraction time. Predicted values at the optimum conditions were total polyphenols of 6.23 mg GAE/g, ginsenoside Re of 17.69 mg/g, and ginsenoside Rb1 of 16.01 mg/g. In the verification of the actual measurement the obtained values showed 6.33 mg GAE/g, 17.79 mg/g, and 15.59 mg/g, respectively, in good agreement with predicted values.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2017

Background: The present study investigated the effect of ginseng berry hot water extract (GBx) on blood flow via the regulation of lipid metabolites and blood coagulation in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Sixty rats were divided into five groups in descending order of body weight. Except for the control group, the other four groups were fed a HFD containing 45% kcal from fat for 11 wk without GBx. GBx groups were then additionally treated by gastric gavage with GBx dissolved in distilled water at 50 (GBx 50) mg/kg, 100 (GBx 100) mg/kg, or 150 (GBx 150) mg/kg body weight for 6 wk along with the HFD. To investigate the effects of GBx on rats fed a HFD, biochemical metabolite, blood coagulation assay, and histological analysis were performed. Results: In the experiments to measure the serum levels of leptin and apolipoprotein B/A, GBx treatment attenuated the HFD-induced increases in these metabolites (p < 0.05). Adiponectin and apolipoprotein E levels in GBx-treated groups were significantly higher than the HFD group. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were increased in all GBx-treated groups. In the GBx-treated groups, the serum levels of thromboxane $A_2$ and serotonin were decreased and concentrations of serum fibrinogen degradation products were increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, histomorphometric dyslipidemia-related atherosclerotic changes were significantly improved by treatment with GBx. Conclusion: These results suggest the possibility that GBx can ameliorate blood flow by decreasing intima-media thickness via the regulation of blood coagulation factors related to lipid metabolites in rats fed a HFD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.283-289
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• 2022

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as loss of muscle mass and strength with age, becomes a public health concern as the elderly population increases. This study aimed to determine whether the mixture of soluble whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) and Panax ginseng berry extract (GBE) has a synergetic effect on sarcopenia and, if so, to identify the relevant mechanisms and optimal mixing ratio. Methods: In the first experiment, C57BL/6 mice were hindlimb immobilized for one-week and then administered WPH 800 mg/kg, GBE 100 mg/kg, WPH 800 mg/kg+ GBE 100 mg/kg mixture, and Fructus Schisandrae extract (SFE) 200 mg/kg for two weeks. In the second experiment, experimental design was same, but mice were administered three different doses of WPH and GBE mixture (WPH 800 mg/kg+ GBE 100 mg/kg, WPH 800 mg/kg+ GBE 90 mg/kg, WPH 1000 mg/kg+ GBE 75 mg/kg). Results: In the first experiment, we confirmed the synergetic effect of WPH and GBE on muscle mass and identified that GBE was more effective on the protein synthesis side, and WPH tended to be slightly more effective for protein degradation. In the second experiment, among three different ratios, the WPH 800 mg/kg+ GBE 100 mg/kg was most effective for muscle mass and strength. The mixtures activated muscle protein synthesis via PI3K/Akt/mTORc1 pathway and inhibited muscle protein degradation via suppressing ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy-lysosome system (ALS), and these effects were more GBE dose-dependent than WPH. Conclusion: The WPH and GBE mixture having a synergetic effect is a potential agent to prevent sarcopenia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.536-542
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• 2022

Background: In aged skin, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to visible aging signs. Collagens in the ECM are cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Syringaresinol (SYR), isolated from Panax ginseng berry, has various physiological activities, including anti-inflammatory action. However, the anti-aging effects of SYR via antioxidant and autophagy regulation have not been elucidated. Methods: The preventive effect of SYR on skin aging was investigated in human HaCaT keratinocytes in the presence of H₂O₂, and the keratinocyte cells were treated with SYR (0-200 ㎍/mL). mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2 and -9 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Radical scavenging activity was researched by 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. LC3B level was assessed by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Results: SYR significantly reduced gene expression and protein levels of MMP-9 and -2 in both H₂O₂-treated and untreated HaCaT cells. SYR did not show cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. SYR exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities with an EC₅₀ value of 10.77 and 10.35 ㎍/mL, respectively. SYR elevated total levels of endogenous and exogenous LC3B in H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, counteracted the inhibitory effect of SYR on MMP-2 expression. Conclusion: SYR showed antioxidant activity and up-regulated autophagy activity in H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells, lowering the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 associated with skin aging. Our results suggest that SYR has potential value as a cosmetic additive for prevention of skin aging.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2023

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant visual disease that induces impaired vision and irreversible blindness in the elderly. However, the effects of ginseng berry extract (GBE) on the retina have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of GBE on blue light (BL)-induced retinal damage and elucidate its underlying mechanisms in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells) and Balb/c retina. Methods: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of GBE on retinal damage in vitro, we performed cell viability assay, pre-and post-treatment of sample, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and western immunoblotting using A2E-laden ARPE-19 cells with BL exposure. In addition, Balb/c mice were irradiated with BL to induce retinal degeneration and orally administrated with GBE (50, 100, 200 mg/kg). Using the harvested retina, we performed histological analysis (thickness of retinal layers), qRT-PCR, and western immunoblotting to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of GBE against retinal damage in vivo. Results: GBE significantly inhibited BL-induced cell damage in ARPE-19 cells by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, regulating NF-kB translocation, caspase 3 activation, PARP cleavage, expressions of apoptosis-related factors (BAX/BCL-2, LC3-II, and p62), and ROS production. Furthermore, GBE prevented BL-induced retinal degeneration by restoring the thickness of retinal layers and suppressed inflammation and apoptosis via regulation of NF-kB and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP, and expressions of apoptosis-related factors in vivo. Conclusions: GBE could be a potential agent to prevent dry AMD and progression to wet AMD.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.158-163
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effects of 40% ethanol extract of Red Ginseng (RGE) on the productions of inflammatory proteins in Antigen I/II (Ag I/II)-N, a recombinant protein isolated from Streptococcus mutans -stimulated in RAW 264.7 cells. RGE inhibited the expression of Ag I/II-N-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, both mRNA and protein synthesis levels, without any cytotoxic effects. Moreover, RGE significantly inhibited Ag I/II-N induced NF-κB translocation into the nucleus by preventing the degradation of inhibitor κB-α. In conclusion, RGE down regulates the expression of pro-inflammatory genes involved in the synthesis of NO and iNOS in Ag I/II-N-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by suppressing NF-κB activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 1993

In Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng C.A Meyer, it was difficult to isolate chloroplast DNA with classical methods, because of the high polysaccharide content of ginseng chloroplast The simple and efficient method of chloroplast DNA isolation from ginseng leaves has been developed by motificalion of recently advanced methods. Also, it can be successfully applied to ctDNA isolation of Chinese cabbage, radish, petunia tobacco as well as ginseng. Isolated chloroplast DNA from ginseng was digested with various restriction endonucleases. It was estimated that the molecular weight of Korean ginseng chloroplast DNA was about 142 kb. There was no difference in restriction endonuclease digestion patterns between two variants of Korean ginseng, which are Jakyung-Jong (violet-stem variant) and Hwang- sook-Jong (yellow-berry variant).