• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.300-311
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• 1998

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the most notorious toxic environmental pollutants, induces various toxic effects in many organs including testes and is regarded as an endocrine disruptor. Korean ginseng, on the other hand, has been well known for its preventive effects on lox- ins, diabetes melltus and hyperlipidemia. We investigated, histopathologically, the effect of Korean Red ginseng water extract (KR-WE) on guinea pig testes damaged by TCDD. Ninety guinea pigs were divided into 6 groups: normal control (NC) group received vehicle and saline; TCDD,1191kg b.w., was administered intraperitoneally to the single dose TCDD-treated (77) group; 100 mghg b.w.16 and 200mg1kg b.w./d KR-WE were injected intraperitoneally to the preventive groups (PIOO and P2OO, respectively) for 28 days from 1 week before TCDD injection, and to the therapeutic groups (CIOO and C2OO, respectively) for 14 days since 1 week after TCDD administration. Increment of body weight was retarded to a larger extent by TCDD. Moreover, body weight of the 77 group decreased significantly 7 days after TCDD exposure, while that of preventive groups kept increasing. Decrease in body weight was not observed in KR-WE-treated groups. Weight decrease in testes caused by TCDD was remarkably protected by KR-WE. Testicles in 77 group displayed decreased tubular size and maturation arrest at the primary or secondary spermatocyte stage. On the other hand, maturation arrest in germ cells by TCDD was improved in KR-WE treated groups. Almost complete protection of the testes was observed in PIOO and P2OO groups. In addition, the therapeutic effect was noticed in C 100 and C2OO groups. These results provided strong evidence that Korean Red ginseng might be a useful agent for the prevention and treatment of testicular damage induced by environmental pollutants.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.284-289
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• 2017

Background: Compound FK506 is an immunosuppressant agent that is frequently used to prevent rejection of solid organs upon transplant. However, nephrotoxicity due to apoptosis and inflammatory response mediated by FK506 limit its usefulness. In this study, the protective effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) against FK506-induced damage in LLC-PK1 pig kidney epithelial cells was investigated. Methods: LLC-PK1 cells were exposed to FK506 with KRG and cell viability was measured. Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses evaluated protein expression of MAPKs, caspase-3, and KIM-1. TLR-4 gene expression was assessed. Caspase-3 activities were also determined. The number of apoptotic cells was measured using an image-based cytometric assay. Results: The reduction in LLC-PK1 cell viability by $60{\mu}M$ FK506 was recovered by KRG cotreatment in a dose-dependent manner. The phosphorylation of p38, p44/42 MAPKs (ERK), KIM-1, cleaved caspase-3, and TLR-4 mRNA expression was increased markedly in LLC-PK1 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ FK506. However, with the exception of p-ERK, elevated levels of p-p38, KIM-1, cleaved caspase-3, and TLR-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased after cotreatment with KRG. Activity level of caspase-3 was also attenuated by KRG cotreatment. Moreover, image-based cytometric assay showed that apoptotic cell death was increased by $60{\mu}M$ FK506 treatment, whereas it was decreased after cotreatment with KRG. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that the molecular mechanism of KRG in the FK506-induced nephrotoxicity may lead to the development of an adjuvant for the inhibition of adverse effect FK506 in the kidney.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.334-351
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the improvement effect of white ginseng extract (GS-KG9) on D-galactosamine (Ga1N)-induced oxidative stress and liver injury. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups. Rats were orally administrated with GS-KG9 (300, 500, or 700 mg/kg) or silymarin (25 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. The rats of the GS-KG9- and silymarin-treated groups and a control group were then intraperitoneally injected Ga1N at a concentration of 650 mg/kg for 4 days. To investigate the protective effect of GS-KG9 against GalN-induced liver injury, blood liver function indicators, anti-oxidative stress indicators, and histopathological features were analyzed. RESULTS: Serum biochemical analysis indicated that GS-KG9 ameliorated the elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in GalN-treated rats. The hepatoprotective effects of GS-KG9 involved enhancing components of the hepatic antioxidant defense system, including glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). In addition, GS-KG9 treatment inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by GalN treatment in hepatocytes and significantly increased the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) proteins, which are antioxidant proteins. In particular, by histological analyses bases on hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, α-smooth muscle actin, and transforming growth factor-β1 staining, we determined that the administration of 500 mg/kg GS-KG9 inhibited hepatic inflammation and fibrosis due to the excessive accumulation of collagen. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that GS-KG9 improves GalN-induced liver inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis by attenuating oxidative stress. Therefore, GS-KG9 may be considered a useful candidate in the development of a natural preventive agent against liver injury.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.138-144
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• 2005

This study was to examine antioxidative effects of ginseng extracts on liver of high fat diet-treated mice. ICR male mice were given high fat diet with red ginseng or white ginseng extracts (500, 1500, 3000 mg/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks. We also Investigated the relationship between lipid peroxidation and ginseng extracts on the oxidative stress. We measured the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue. The activities of SOD was generally low in all ginseng extract groups. But the activity of GPx was high in all ginseng extract groups. The hydrogen peroxide contents were similar in almost all groups. The level of GSH was higher in all ginseng extract group in high fat diet (FD) group. The levels of MDA (the end product of lipid peroxidation) were lower in all ginseng extract groups than in FD group. These results that the antioxidant effects of red ginseng and white ginseng extracts prevent oxidative damage by antioxidant effects involving SOD, GPx and increasing the ability of the body to synthesize endogenous antioxidants. It was concluded that ginseng can protect against oxidative stress by high fat diet through its antioxidant properties.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.459-480
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• 1991

Physilogical disorders of P. ginseng occurred in farmer's field were reviewed in relation to symptom. In root, red skin, rough skin, rust, root rot complex, round root, fine root stripe, freezing injury, cracking, sleeping and uneven emergence were frequently appeared. In leaf and stem, yellowing, early defoliation, leaf bum, Papery leaf, white freezing injury, wind injury, stem cracking were the main troubles. Red skin of root and leaf yellowing gave the greatest negative impact on ginseng production. Some cases of damage by pesticides, excess boron and industrial pollutants were reported. Physiological disorders related to quality factors, such as inside cavity, inside white sponge-like ect. after processing were discussed.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 1997

The effects of ginseng total saponins (GTS) on hypoxic damage of primary cultures of astrocytes were studied. Hypoxia was created by placing cultures in an air tight chamber that was flushed with 95% $N_2/5%CO_2$ for 15 min before being sealed. Cultures showed evidence of significant cell injury after 24 h of hypoxia (increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the culture medium, cell swelling and decreased glutamate uptake and protein content). Addition of GTS (0.1, 0.3 mg/ml) to the cultures during the exposure to hypoxic conditions produced dose-dependent inhibition of the LDH efflux. GTS (0.1, 0.3 mg/ml) also produced significant inhibition of the increased cell volume of astrocytes measured by $[^3H]$ O-methyl-D-glucose uptake under the hypoxic conditions. Decreased glutamate uptake and protein content was inhibited by GTS. These data suggest that GTS prevents astrocytic cell injury induced by severe hypoxia in vitro.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 1990

The major flavonoid component of Ginseng leaf is trifolin, a glycoside of kaempferol. To evaluate the antioxidative properties of trifolin and kaempferol on cellular membranes, we compared them with the other flavonoids through the 102-Induced photohemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes. All the flavonoid aglycones including kaempferol, quercetin and baicalein protected effectively the cells from the 102-caused damage in a dose- dependent manner, by scavenging 102 and free radicals in the cellular membranes. The solubilization of the flavonoid aglycones into micelles or erythrocyte membranes was deduced from spectro-photometric and microscopic observations. The flavonoid glycosides were not protective or less protective than their corresponding aglycones, and trifolin was the only glycoside that exhibited a solubilization into the membranes and a significant protection against the photohemolysis. We also tested some phenolic compounds contained in Ginseng, and found that they did not prevent the photohemolysis so effectively as kaempferol or trifolin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2016

The effects of White Ginseng and Fermented Ginseng on liver damage induced by $^{60}Co$ r-ray irradiation were investigated. To one group of ICR male mice were given in White Ginseng(150 mg/kg/day for 7days, orally) before 5Gy(1.01Gy/min) dose of $^{60}Co$ r-ray irradiation. To another group were given in Fermented Ginseng (150 mg/kg/day for 7days, orally)before 5Gy(1.01Gy/min)dose of $^{60}Co$ r-ray irradiation was investigated. Radiation irradiation group were given with saline(0.1 ml) and 5Gy. Contrast group were given with saline(0.1 ml). The levels of $H_2O_2$, catalase and MDA in liver tissue were measured. In Fermented Ginseng (FG+Rad) group and white Ginseng(WG+Rad) group than irradiation group(Rad), the catalase level were significantly increased, and the catalase levels were appeaWhite at radiation protection. It was significantly decreased to MDA and $H_2O_2$ level to Fermented Ginseng (FG+Rad) group and white Ginseng(WG+Rad) group than irradiation group(Rad). Therefore, Fermented Ginseng and white Ginseng were very excellent protector on radiation of liver in mice.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.57-58
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• 2006

Red ginseng is a classical traditional Chinese medicine. Among Chinese herbs, red ginseng has been considered as one of the tonics. Many studies indicated that red ginseng could enhance immune function of the human body. Red ginseng total saponin, ginsenoside, the most important active constituents identified in red ginseng can protect against myocardial ischaemia damage and protect endothelium against electrolysis-induced free radical injury. Macrophages play a significant role in host defense mechanisms. When activated, they inhibit the growth of a wide variety of tumor cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pure ginsenoside Rb1 on immunostimulatory activity such as murine macrophage phagocytosis and proliferation of splenocytes. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on the production of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) in murine macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells. ROS have emerged as important signaling molecules in the regulation of various cellular processes. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly increased production of ROS in dose dependent manner. As NO plays an important role in immune function, ginsenoside Rb1 treatment could modulate several aspects of host defense mechanisms due to stimulation. Treatment with ginsenoside Rb1 to macrophages induced the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines and expression levels of these genes in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, incubation of RAW 264.7 cells with ginsenoside Rb1 showed a dose dependent increased phagocytosis activity and lymphocyte proliferation of splenocytes. Therefore, these results suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 has promising potential as a natural medicine for stimulation of the immune system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2005

The number of reporting the effects on ginseng's physiological, pharmacological, and behavioral effects has been increased every year. Major active components of Panax ginseng, are the ginsenosides, which are mainly triterpenoid dammarane derivatives. 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) is blown to induce cellular energy deficit and oxidative stress related neurotoxicity via an irreversible inhibition of the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Intraperitoneal injection of 3-NP produces striatal degeneration. Aged animals was more vulnerable to 3-NP than young animal. We used three different ages of 5-, 8-, and 26-week-old rats. 3-NP alone treatment induced striatal lesion and increased lesion volume with age-dependent manner in 5-, 8-, and 26-week-old rats by $30.2{\pm}5.8$, $v$, and $51.3{\pm}8.4mm^3$, respectively. However, pretreatment of GTS (100 mg/kg/day) before 3-NP reduced striatal lesion in 5-,8-, and 26-week-old rats by $3.15{\pm}6.1$, $8.89{\pm}1.9$, and $27.3{\pm}5.6mm^3$, respectively. Pretreatment of GTS also significantly increased survival rate in 5-week-old rats (3-NP alone: GTS +3-NP = $40.4{\pm}6.3$: $72.5{\pm}9.5\%$) than 8-week-old rats (3-NP alone: GTS + 3-NP : $13.5{\pm}5.2\%$ : $45.1{\pm}3.1\%$). In 26-week-old rats, 3-NP alone treated group died on day 18, whereas GTS +3-NP-treated group prolonged lifespan to 30 days. Thus, pretreatment of GTS before administration of 3-NP extended lifespan in all ages. The present results indicate that aged animals are more vulnerable to 3-NP and GTS pretreatment protected 3-NP-induced striatal damage in different ages of animals.