• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.37-44
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng is known to regulate the immune system and help the body struggle infection and disease. Cadmium is widely distributed in the environment due to its use in industry. Exposure to cadmium is problematic causing organ dysfunction. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) against cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. In experiments, animals were orally administrated with RGE (25, 50 mg/kg) for 7 d and then intravenously injected with cadmium ($CdCl_2$, 4 mg/kg) to induce acute hepatotoxicity. Cadmium caused the elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase in serum. In contrast, pretreatment with RGE significantly reduced those serum indexes related with liver damage. In histopathological analysis, RGE decreased the centrilobular necrosis around central veins and the peripheral hemorrhage around portal triads. Moreover, RGE restored the deficit in hepatic glutathione level resulting from cadmium treatment. RGE also inhibited the increase in the expression of Bad, a representative apoptosis marker protein, induced by cadmium treatment. Collectively, these results demonstrate that RGE can reduce the cadmium-induced hepatic toxicity, partly via anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic process.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.111-118
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• 1990

In order to characterize the chloroplasts of Korean ginseng as a semi-shade plant and radish as a sun plant, effects of growth light intensity on photosynthetic electron transport (PS) activity in chloroplasts and superoxide (O2.-) production in thylakoid membrane by irradiation were investigated. High-light chloroplasts of both plants showed higher PS activities than those grown under ow growth light intensity. High PS II and low PS I activities in ginseng chloroplasts (ratio of PS II/PS I : 1.1) were observed, but radish chloroplasts showed low PS II and high PS I activities (ratio of PS II/PS I : 0.3). PS II activity of both plants was little affected by temperature in range of 15-35$^{\circ}C$. Activities of whole -chain (PS II+I) in ginseng and PS I in radish were increased at high temperature (4$0^{\circ}C$). Preincubation of chloroplasts at 4$0^{\circ}C$ during 30 min, as a mild heat stress, caused rapid decrease in PS II and PS II+I activities of both plants. However PS I activity was not decreased in ginseng and rather increased in radish. O2.- production (NBT reduction) in Mehler reaction in the thylakoid membrane was inhibited by DCMU in both plants. DMBIB inhibited O2.- production in ginseng, but radish was insensitive to DMBIB. Electron flow system in ginseng thylakoid membrane was more susceptible to damage of photooxidation than that of radish.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.91-100
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• 1987

인삼(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) 엽소병에 대한 고사원인을 현상학적 측면에서 관찰, 분석한 결과 chlorohphyll의 bleaching현상은 적색광(660~700nm)에서 일어났으며, 청색광(400~500nm)에서는 광산화에 의한 bleaching현상이 일어나지 않았다. 엽소병에 의한 고사원인으로 대두되었던 환경요인 "온도"는 chlorohphyll의 bleaching현상에 전혀 영향을 미치지 않았다. 따라서 단순연소(simple burning)설은 본 실험을 통해 배재되었으며, 낮은 pH는 chlorohphyll의 bleaching속도를 가속화시켜 주었다. 엽소병에서 chlorohphyll의 bleaching현상을 유발시키는 1차적요인은 인삼잎의 독특한 구조적 차이에 의한 것이었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.23-32
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• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause clinical manifestations of multiple organ damage, including various neurological syndromes. There are currently two oral antiviral drugs-Paxlovid and molnupiravir-that are recognized to treat COVID-19, but there are still no drugs that can specifically fight the challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multimolecular complex that can sense heterogeneous pathogen-associated molecular patterns associated with neurological disorders. The NLRP3 activation stimulates the production of caspase-1-mediated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and other cytokines in immune cells. Panax (P.) ginseng is a medicinal plant that has traditionally been widely used to boost immunity and treat various pathological conditions in the nervous system due to its safety and anti-inflammatory/oxidant/viral activities. Several recent reports have indicated that P. ginseng and its active ingredients may regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the nervous system. Therefore, this review article discusses the current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of neurological disorders related to COVID-19 and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the possibility of using P. ginseng in a strategy targeting this pathway to treat neurological disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.113-121
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• 2024

Since its outbreak in late 2019, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly caused global morbidity and deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has major complications in cardiovascular and pulmonary system. The increased rate of mortality is due to delayed detection of certain biomarkers that are crucial in the development of disease. Furthermore, certain proteins and enzymes in cellular signaling pathways play an important role in replication of SARS-CoV-2. Most cases are mild to moderate symptoms, however severe cases of COVID-19 leads to death. Detecting the level of biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin, creatine kinase, creatine kinaseMB, procalcitonin and Matrix metalloproteinases helps in early detection of the severity of disease. Similarly, through downregulating Renin-angiotensin system, interleukin, Mitogen-activated protein kinases and Phosphoinositide 3-kinases pathways, COVID-19 can be effectively controlled and mortality could be prevented. Ginseng and ginsenosides possess therapeutic potential in cardiac and pulmonary complications, there are several studies performed in which they have suppressed these biomarkers and downregulated the pathways, thereby inhibiting the further spread of disease. Supplementation with ginseng or ginsenoside could act on multiple pathways to reduce the level of biomarkers significantly and alleviate cardiac and pulmonary damage. Therefore, this review summarizes the potential of ginseng extract and ginsenosides in controlling the cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases by COVID-19.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.243-249
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• 2015

Background: Anticancer agents induce a variety of adverse effects when administered to cancer patients. Busulfan is a known antileukemia agent. When administered for treatment of leukemia in young patients, busulfan could cause damage to the male reproductive system as one of its adverse effects, resulting in sterility. Methods: We investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) on busulfan-induced damage and/or dysfunction of the male reproductive system. Results: We found that administration of busulfan to mice: decreased testis weight; caused testicular histological damage; reduced the total number of sperm, sperm motility, serum testosterone concentration; and eventually, litter size. Preadministration of KRGE partially attenuated various busulfan-induced damages to the male reproductive system. These results indicate that KRGE has a protective effect against busulfan-induced damage to the male reproduction system. Conclusion: The present study shows a possibility that KRGE could be applied as a useful agent to prevent or protect the male reproductive system from the adverse side effects induced by administration of anticancer agents such as busulfan.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제34권4호
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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.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.105-120
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• 2006

To investigate anti-cancer effects of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture and mitigation of anti-cancer drug when taken concurrently, cancer cells from B16/F10 melanoma were injected intraperitoneally in C57BL/6. After inducing cancer, anti-cancer effects and mitigation of reproductive toxicity of Doxorubicin were evaluated. 1. For changes in weight, Doxorubicin treated group showed significant decrease, and administration of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't cause any weight change. 2. Volume of tumor was significantly reduced in Doxorubicin teated group. Wild ginseng herbal acupuncture groups showed slight decrease but insignificant compared to the control group. 3. For hematological evaluation, Doxorubicin only group's reticulocytes were significantly decreased compared to the control group, and Platelet Count was significantly increased. Wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group showed significant increase of Neutrophils and significant decrease of Lymphocytes compared to the control group. 4. For histological evaluation of the tumor, necrosis occurred in a wide range in the Doxorubicin treated group. Wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't cause much histological changes. 5. For histological evaluation of the testis, seminiferous tubules of the control group suffered severe damage on epithelial cells. When wild ginseng herbal acupuncture was administered concurrently, damage on the seminiferous tubules was significantly inhibited compared to the Doxorubicin only group. 6. Diameter of seminiferous tubules and spermatogonia count were insignificant between the experiment groups. 7. For BrdU positive reaction of testicle tissue, Doxorubicin only group failed to show any reaction of spermatogonia, but spermatocytes and spermatids showed slight positive reaction. When wild ginseng herbal acupuncture was treated concurrently, much greater positive reaction was made but similar to that of the control and normal groups. 8. For observation of changes in BrdU spermatogonia count of the testicle tissue, Doxorubicin only group didn't show any positive reaction, and relative increase was shown in the group with concurrent administration of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture. 9. For observation of TUNEL positive reaction cells of the testicle tissue, no significant changes were witnessed in all the experiment groups.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.275-278
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• 2008

최근 2005년 파주 6년생 포지를 시작으로 철원, 영월, 괴산 등지에서 정체불명의 해충이 인삼 줄기 속을 파고들어 피해를 주는 현상이 빈번하여, 해당 해충을 채집하여 동정한 결과 국내 미기록종인 Phytosciara procera(신칭: 인삼줄기버섯파리)인 것으로 확인되었다. 이 해충은 이번 연구를 통해 처음으로 인삼 해충으로 기록되는 종이며, 검정날개버섯파리과 (Sciaridae) 곤충 중에서 인삼 해충이 확인된 것도 세계 최초이다. 인삼줄기버섯파리에 의한 피해로 추정되는 증상은 1993년 경기도 용인의 6년생 인삼 포지에서 처음으로 확인되었다. 당시 피해주율이 25%에 이르고 경작자가 막대한 경제적 손실을 입었지만, 명확한 동정 결과를 얻지 못하였고 피해 실태도 정확히 밝히지 못했었다. 인삼줄기버섯파리는 인삼의 화경, 줄기 부분에서 산란하며, 유충이 줄기 내부를 파고 섭식하여 고사시키는 해충인데, 인삼줄기버섯파리가 만든 상처는 세균의 2차 감염 통로로 이용될 수 있기 때문에 결과적으로 줄기 속무름병의 발생에도 영향을 미칠 것으로 판단된다. 인삼줄기 버섯파리 성충이 많이 발생하는 시기는 두 차례로 7월 하순부터 8월 상순 사이와 8월 하순부터 9월 상순 사이로 조사되었다. 인삼의 화경제거시 열매를 잔존시켜 건전한 형태로 남겨두거나 피해줄기를 조기에 제거하는 등의 경종적 방제를 이용하면, 인삼줄기버섯파리에 의한 피해가 확산되는 것을 방지할 수 있을 것으로 기대되지만, 아직 이 해충에 대한 생리, 생태 연구가 미흡한 만큼 기초 조사와 방제대책 수립을 위한 연구가 지속적으로 이루어져야 할 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.256-262
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• 2012

Reactive oxygen species play critical role in kidney damage. Free radical-scavenging activities of Panax ginseng are known to be increased by heat-processing. The structural change of ginsenoside and the generation of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) are closely related to the increased free radical-scavenging activities. In the present study, we have demonstrated the Maillard reaction model experiment using ginsenoside Re and glycine mixture to identify the renoprotective effect of MRPs from ginseng or ginsenosides. Ginsenoside Re was transformed into less-polar ginsenosides, namely Rg2, Rg6 and F4 by heat-processing. The free radical-scavenging activity of ginsenoside Re-glycine mixture was increased in a temperature-dependant manner by heatprocessing. The improved free radical-scavenging activity by heat-processing was mediated by the generation of antioxidant MRPs which led to the protection of LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells from oxidative stress. Although the free radical scavenging activities of less-polar ginsenosides were weak, they could protect LLC-PK1 cells from oxidative stress. Therefore, MRPs and less-polar ginsenosides contributed to the combined renoprotective effects against oxidative renal damage.