• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.266-275
• /
• 2024

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation of cancer cells that exhibit stem cell-like characteristics, including self-renewal and differentiation in a multi-stage lineage state via symmetric or asymmetric division, causing tumor initiation, heterogeneity, progression, and recurrence and posing a major challenge to current anticancer therapy. Despite the importance of CSCs in carcinogenesis and cancer progression, currently available anticancer therapeutics have limitations for eradicating CSCs. Moreover, the efficacy and therapeutic windows of currently available anti-CSC agents are limited, suggesting the necessity to optimize and develop a novel anticancer agent targeting CSCs. Ginseng has been traditionally used for enhancing immunity and relieving fatigue. As ginseng's long history of use has demonstrated its safety, it has gained attention for its potential pharmacological properties, including anticancer effects. Several studies have identified the bioactive principles of ginseng, such as ginseng saponin (ginsenosides) and non-saponin compounds (e.g., polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, and phenolic compounds), and their pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifatigue, and neuroprotective effects. Notably, recent reports have shown the potential of ginseng-derived compounds as anti-CSC agents. This review investigates the biology of CSCs and efforts to utilize ginseng-derived components for cancer treatment targeting CSCs, highlighting their role in overcoming current therapeutic limitations.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
• /
• v.3
• /
• pp.38-53
• /
• 2021

This research uncovered that the world-renowned British Museum has displayed ginseng as part of notable exhibitssince its opening. The British Museum was established in 1753 upon the bequest of Sir Hans Sloane, a famous physician, scientist, and collector. At the heart of his collections was the vast amount of vegetable substance specimens. This study first reconstructed Sloane's collection activities in the context of British Imperialism and botanical science in the early modern period. It then traced the origins and routes by which four ginseng specimens were obtained: Radix Ginseng or ninzin from China (VS 532), Ginseng. Id (VS 8,198), the roots and seeds of ginseng (VS 7,825), and ginseng root (VS 12,140). These specimens were presumed to originate from one type of Korean ginseng from China, a Japanese ginseng variant from Japan, and two ginseng species from North America. The English public learned about ginseng and ginseng exhibits via a flourishing printing culture. In England, Korean ginseng was appreciated much more highly than American ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.347-352
• /
• 2017

Background: Panax ginseng (PG) has a long history of use in Asian medicine because of its multiple pharmacological activities. It has been considered that PG in a type of white ginseng may induce undesirable thermogenic effects, but not in a type of red ginseng. However, there is a lack of evidence about the correlation between ginsenoside and thermogenesis. Methods: We investigated the effects of PG with different ginsenoside compositions on body temperature, blood pressure, and thermogenesis-related factors in rats. Results: With increasing steaming time (0 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 9 h), the production of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides increased, whereas protopanaxatriol ginsenosides decreased in white ginseng. In both short- and long-term studies, administration of four ginseng extracts prepared at different steaming times did not induce significant changes in body temperature (skin, tail, and rectum) and blood pressure of rats compared to saline control. In addition, there were no significant differences in the molecular markers related to thermogenesis (p > 0.05), mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-$1{\alpha}$ and uncoupling protein 1 in brown adipose tissue, as well as the serum levels of interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nitrite among the treatment groups. Conclusion: These observations indicate that the potential undesirable effects of PG on body temperature could not be explained by the difference in ginsenoside composition.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.186-192
• /
• 2021

The roots of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) have a long history of usage as a medicinal drug. Ginsenosides, a group of triterpenioid saponins in ginseng, have been reported to show important pharmacological effects. Many studies have attempted to identify the ginsenoside synthesis pathways of P. ginseng and to increase crop productivity. Recent studies have shown that exogenous gibberellin (GA) treatments promote storage root secondary growth by integration of the modulating cambium stem cell homeostasis with a secondary cell wall-related gene network. However, the dynamic regulation of ginsenoside synthesis-related genes and their contents by external signaling cues has been rarely evaluated. In this study, we confirmed that GA treatment not only enhanced the secondary growth of P. ginseng storage roots, but also significantly enriched the terpenoid biosynthesis process in RNA-seq analysis. Consistently, we also found that the expression of most genes involved in the ginsenoside synthesis pathways, including those encoding methylerythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) and mevalonate (MVA), and the saponin content in both leaves and roots was increased by exogenous GA application. These results can be used in future development of biotechnology for ginseng breeding and enhancement of saponin content.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
• /
• v.2
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2020

Ginseng was first addressed ever in the medical record in HyangYakGooGupBang (鄕藥救急方), the oldest Korean medical book published in Kingdom of Goryeo (918-1392) when Ganghwa was the provisional capital city at the time. It is believed that ginsengs in Ganghwa were planted and cultivated from 1100s. Intensive ginseng production in Ganghwa began when Ganghwa became the special district of the Kaesong Ginseng Union (開城人蔘組合) in 1920s, this intensive production continued till the Korean War in 1950. After the Korean War ended in 1953, ginseng production was resumed. In 1967, Ganghwa Ginseng Association (江華蔘業組合) was founded. The total acreage of ginseng harvested was nearly 200 ha in 1967 and it increased to ha 900 in 1974. By mid-1970s, Ganghwa became the largest ginseng region in Korea by total production and acreage. Most of ginseng roots cultivated in Ganghwa are six years old. Ganghwa, which was already well-known for red ginseng productions, has become even more famous for ginseng production.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.190-197
• /
• 2012

Ginseng has a long history of use for health enhancement, and there is some evidence from animal studies that it has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Korean red ginseng on cognitive performance in humans. A total of 15 healthy young males with no psychiatric or cognitive problems were selected based on an interview with a board-certified psychiatrist. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 4,500 mg red ginseng or placebo for a 2-week trial. There were 8 subjects in the red ginseng group and 7 subjects in the placebo group. All of the subjects were analyzed with the Vienna test system and a P300 event-related potential (ERP) test. There were no significant differences in the Vienna test system scores between the red ginseng group and the placebo group. In the event-related potential test, the C3 latency of the red ginseng group tended to decrease during the study period (p=0.005). After 2 wk, significant decreases were observed in the P300 latencies at Cz (p=0.008), C3 (p=0.005), C4 (p=0.002), and C mean (p=0.003) in the red ginseng group. Our results suggest that the decreased latency in ERP is associated with improved cognitive function. Further studies with a higher dosage of ginseng, a larger sample size, and a longer follow-up period are necessary to confirm the clinical efficacy of Korean red ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.163-171
• /
• 2019

Common features of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) include progressive dysfunctions and neuronal injuries leading to deterioration in normal brain functions. At present, ginseng is one of the most frequently used natural products. Its use has a long history as a cure for various diseases because its extracts and active compounds exhibit several pharmacological properties against several disorders. However, the pathophysiology of NDDs is not fully clear, but researchers have found that various ion channels and specific signaling pathways might have contributed to the disease pathogenesis. Apart from the different pharmacological potentials, ginseng and its active compounds modulate various ion channels and specific molecular signaling pathways related to the nervous system. Here, we discuss the signal modulating potential of ginseng and its active compounds mainly focusing on those relevant to NDDs.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 1993.09a
• /
• pp.102-109
• /
• 1993

Backgrounds Diabetes mellitus is associated with accelerated atherosc lerosis and predispose to specific microvascular problems. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of red ginseng as adjunctive therapeutic agent of NIDDM especially in preventing chronic diabetic complications. Materials and Methods We treated 50 patients with NIDDM for 5 month with 2 regimens: 1)oralhypoglycemic drug therapy only(the control group), 2)oral hypoglycemic group). The patients were recruited at Korea university hospital from June, 1992 to October, 1992 and the following inclusion criteria were used: l)age above 35 years 2)initial body weight within or above ideal body weight 3)fasting blood glucose level greater than 140mg/dl 4)no previous history of diabetes mellitus or no history of blood glucose control for recent 3 months of more. The patients were seen every 2 weeks for remaining 3 months. At every visit FBS and PP2hr blood glucose were measured with blood pressure and body weight. Lipid profiles were checked every 4 weeks and platelet function test was perfomed with aggregometer after administration of ADP, epineprine and collagen every 4 weeks. Free fatty acid were also analyzed every 8 weeks and glycosylated hemoglobin was measured every 12 weeks. Results The results were as follows: 1. The mean values for fasting and PP2hr blood glucose decreased significantly in the control group than in the ginseng group. 2. The weight gain was less in the ginseng group than in the control group. The levels of systolic blood pressure decreased' significantly in the ginseng group than in the control group. 3. There was no significant differences of lipid profiles in both groups. 4. The platelet hyperaggregation was improved more significantly in the ginseng group than in the control group. Conclusions In patients with NIDDM who were recieving oral hypoglycemic drug therapy, the addition of red ginseng improved platelet function and blood pressure, but induced less weight gain. The data suggests that red ginseng may be useful as a therapeutic adjunct especially in preventing chronic complications of NIDDM.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
• /
• v.6
• /
• pp.51-79
• /
• 2024

In the 1970s and 1980s, during the nascent phase of ginseng disease research, efforts concentrated on isolating and identifying pathogens. Subsequently, their physiological ecology and pathogenesis characteristics were scrutinized. This led to the establishment of a comprehensive control approach for safeguarding major aerial part diseases like Alternaria blight, anthracnose, and Phytophthora blight, along with underground part diseases such as Rhizoctonia seedling damping-off, Pythium seedling damping-off, and Sclerotinia white rot. In the 1980s, the sunshade was changed from traditional rice straw to polyethylene (PE) net. From 1987 to 1989, focused research aimed at enhancing disease control methods. Notably, the introduction of a four-layer woven P.E. light-shading net minimized rainwater leakage, curbing Alternaria blight occurrence. Since 1990, identification of the bacterial soft stem rot pathogen facilitated the establishment of a flower stem removal method to mitigate outbreaks. Concurrently, efforts were directed towards identifying root rot pathogens causing continuous crop failure, employing soil fumigation and filling methods for sustainable crop land use. In 2000, adapting to rapid climate changes became imperative, prompting modifications and supplements to control methods. New approaches were devised, including a crop protection agent method for Alternaria stem blight triggered by excessive rainfall during sprouting and a control method for gray mold disease. A comprehensive plan to enhance control methods for Rhizoctonia seedling damping-off and Rhizoctonia damping-off was also devised. Over the past 50 years, the initial emphasis was on understanding the causes and control of ginseng diseases, followed by refining established control methods. Drawing on these findings, future ginseng cultivation and disease control methods should be innovatively developed to proactively address evolving factors such as climate fluctuations, diminishing cultivation areas, escalating labor costs, and heightened consumer safety awareness.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.304-311
• /
• 2018

Background: Ginseng black spot disease resulting from Alternaria panax Whuetz is a common soil-borne disease, with an annual incidence rate higher than 20-30%. In this study, the bacterial strains with good antagonistic effect against A. panax are screened. Methods: A total of 285 bacterial strains isolated from ginseng rhizosphere soils were screened using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and the Oxford cup plate assay. We analyzed the antifungal spectrum of SZ-22 by confronting incubation. To evaluate the efficacy of biocontrol against ginseng black spot and for growth promotion by SZ-22, we performed pot experiments in a plastic greenhouse. Taxonomic position of SZ-22 was identified using morphology, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, 16S ribosomal DNA, and gyrB sequences. Results: SZ-22 (which was identified as Brevundimonas terrae) showed the strongest inhibition rate against A. panax, which showed 83.70% inhibition, and it also provided broad-spectrum antifungal effects. The inhibition efficacies of the SZ-22 bacterial suspension against ginseng black spot reached 82.47% inhibition, which is significantly higher than that of the 25% suspension concentrate azoxystrobin fungicide treatment (p < 0.05). Moreover, the SZ-22 bacterial suspension also caused ginseng plant growth promotion as well as root enhancement. Conclusion: Although the results of the outdoor pot-culture method were influenced by the pathogen inoculum density, the cropping history of the field site, and the weather conditions, B. terrae SZ-22 controlled ginseng black spot and promoted ginseng growth successfully. This study provides resource for the biocontrol of ginseng black spot.