• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.454-463
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• 2022

Background: Gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF), a non-saponin fraction of ginseng, is a novel glycolipoprotein rich in hydrophobic amino acids. GEF has recently been shown to regulate lipid metabolism and browning in adipocytes; however, the mechanisms underlying its effects on energy metabolism and whether it affects sarcopenic obesity are unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effects of GEF on skeletal muscle atrophy in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods: To examine the effect of GEF on sarcopenic obesity, 4-week-old male ICR mice were used. The mice were divided into four groups: chow diet (CD), HFD, HFD supplemented with 50 mg/kg/day GEF, or 150 mg/kg/day GEF for 6 weeks. We analyzed body mass gain and grip strength, histological staining, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence to quantify changes in sarcopenic obesity-related factors. Results: GEF inhibited body mass gain while HFD-fed mice gained 22.7 ± 2.0 g, whereas GEF-treated mice gained 14.3 ± 1.2 g for GEF50 and 11.8 ± 1.6 g for GEF150 by downregulating adipogenesis and inducing lipolysis and browning in white adipose tissue (WAT). GEF also enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis threefold in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, GEF-treated skeletal muscle exhibited decreased expression of muscle-specific atrophic genes, and promoted myogenic differentiation and increased muscle mass and strength in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that GEF may have potential uses in preventing sarcopenic obesity by promoting energy expenditure and attenuating skeletal muscle atrophy.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.744-753
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• 2021

Background: Gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) is a new non-saponin component glycolipoprotein isolated from ginseng root. This study examined the effect of GEF on age-related sarcopenia in old C57BL/6J mice. Methods: Young (3-6 months) and old (20-24 months) C57BL/6J mice received oral GEF (50 mg/kg/day or 150 mg/kg/day) daily for 5 weeks. During the oral administration period, body weight and grip strength were measured weekly. After sacrifice, muscles from the hindlimb were excised and used for hematoxylin and eosin staining and western blotting to determine the effects of GEF on sarcopenia. The thymus was photographed to compare size, and flow cytometry was performed to examine the effect of GEF on immune homeostasis in the thymus and spleen. Blood samples were collected, and the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and IGF-1 were measured. Results: GEF caused a significant increase in muscle strength, mass, and fiber size in old mice. GEF restored age-related disruption of immune homeostasis by maintaining T cell compartments and regulating inflammatory biomarkers. Thus, GEF reduced common low-grade chronic inflammatory parameters, which are the main cause of muscle loss. Conclusion: GEF maintained immune homeostasis and inhibited markers of chronic inflammation, resulting in anti-sarcopenia effects in aged C57BL/6J mice. Thus, GEF is a potential therapeutic agent that slows sarcopenia in the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.361-368
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• 2006

Extruded ginseng was manufactured using twin-screw extruder under 300 rpm screw speed, 21 kg/hr feed rate, $80-150^{\circ}C$ extrusion temperature, and by addition of water (12.1-30.6%). Extraction yield and contents of total carbohydrate and uronic acid in extruded ginseng at room temperature extraction (RT) increased with increasing extrusion temperature, whereas those of boiling temperature extracts (BT) were not affected by increasing extrusion temperature. Contents of nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) in RT and BT extracts increased 340 and 142%, respectively, compared to that of raw ginseng. Main sugar compositions of NSP in RT and BT extracts were arabinose, galactose, and glucose. Extraction yields of total and crude saponins in extruded ginseng at optimize extrusion condition were higher than that of raw ginseng. In RT extracts, molecular weights of polysaccharides from raw were higher than that of extruded ginseng polymer, whereas in BT extracts molecular weights of polysaccharides from extruded ginseng were higher than those of raw ginseng polysaccharides.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.168-175
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• 2000

Relatively little is known about the signaling mechanism of ginseng saponins (ginsenosides), active ingredients of ginseng, in non-neuronal cells. Here, we describe that ginsenosides utilize a common pathway of receptor-mediated signaling pathway in Xenopus oocytes: increase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration via phospholipase C (PLC) and $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization. Ginsenosides induced a marked and robust artivation of $Ca^{2+}$-activated Cl- channels in Xenopus oocytes. The effect of ginsenosides was completely reversible, in a dose-dependent manner with EC$_{50}$ of 4.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mi, and specifically blocked by niflumic acid, an inhibitor of $Ca^{2+}$-activated Cl- channel. Intracellular injection of BAPIA abolished the effect of ginsenosides. Intracellular injection of GTP${\gamma}$S also abolished the effect of ginsenosides. The effect of gin senosides on $Ca^{2+}$-activated Cl- currents was greatly reduced by the intracellular injection of heparin, an IP$_3$ receptorantagonist or the pretreatment of PLC inhibitor. These results indicate that ginsenosides activate endogenous $Ca^{2+}$-activated Cl- channels via the activation of PLC and the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the IP$_3$-sensitive intracellular store following the initial interaction with membrane component(s) from extracellular side. This signaling pathway of ginsenosides may be one of the action mechanisms for the pharmacological effects of ginseng.ts of ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2005

This study was compared the quality of red ginseng and characteristic changes of physicochemical properties according to the storage period (non storage, two days, six days, eight days, ten days) and store temperature $20^{\circ}C, \;34^{\circ}C,\;-10^{\circ}C)$. The water content of the fresh ginseng has a tendency to decrease as storage time increases. When we store the fresh ginseng for 10 days, the ideal storage temperature is considered to be $34^{\circ}C$ degrees. The amount of total nitrogen has a tendency to increase more than that of no storage as storage period approaches to 10 days. In the storage temperature, the amount of total nitrogen has a tendency to increase in the order of 1) room temperature, 2) freezing storage, 3) cold storage more than no storage. Cold storage has larger contents of total phenolic compounds than room temperature and freezing storage according to storage temperature. When we analyze the changes of a relative density of eight elements, ginsenoside $Rb_1,Rb_2,Rc,Rd,Re,Rg_3,Rg_1\;and\;Rg_2$ in red ginseng's saponin Rf according to storage condition, the relative density of $Rb_1\;and\;Rg_1$ against Rf diminishes in each storage condition as storage time increases. And it is also thought that density change of ginsenoside appears because of the materials, and change tendency according to storage condition is not clear. From functional nature on the evaluation of the quality, taste and fragrance of red ginseng according to storage district, it is evaluated that it is most recommendable for red ginseng to be transported and stored in $3{\sim}4$ degrees to keep its best condition.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.748-755
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to find out effects of treatment of ginsenoside Re, Rc and EGCG on mRNA expressions of leptin, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and resistin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The concentrations of EGCG were treated with $0.01{\times}10^{-7},\;0.1{\times}10^{-7},\;1{\times}10^{-7}\;and\;1{\times}10^{-6}\;or\;100{\mu}g/ml$ ginsenoside Re, Rc in culture cell for 13 days. mRNA expression of leptin wasn't expressed in preadipocyte but according to differentiation of adipocyte, the that of mRNA expression was decreased at gensenosids or EGCG treated cells compared with non treated adipocyte. Expression of HSL mRNA was increased in G-Re, G-Rc and EGCG treated cells compared with non treated cells. The resistin level was significantly decreased in adipocytes treated with G-Re, G-Rc and EGCG. These pattern was similar to leptin expression. These results support that treatment of gensenosides or EGCG in 3T3-L1 adipocyte resulted to affect of leptin and resistin as well as HSL mRNA levels, accordingly, levels of leptin and HSL will be acted by signalling body fat stores to the hypothalamus which in turn regulates food intake andenergy expenditure to maintain body weight homeostasis. And also regulation of resistin mRNA will prevent to diabetics attacked with obesity. In conclusion, we suggest that consumption of ginseng saponine or EGCG might prevent human diabetics or/and obesity.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.317-334
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• 2002

Ginsenosides are metabolized (deglycosylated) by intestinal bacteria to active forms after oral administration. 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol $20-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (M1) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (M4) are the main intestinal bacterial metabolites (IBMs) of protopanaxadiol- and protopanaxatriol-type glycosides. M1 was selectively accumulated into the liver soon after its intravenous (i.v.) administration to mice, and mostly excreted as bile; however, some M1 was transformed to fatty acid ester (EMl) in the liver. EM1 was isolated from rats in a recovery dose of approximately $24mol\%.$ Structural analysis indicated that EM1 comprised a family of fatty acid mono-esters of M1. Because EM1 was not excreted as bile as Ml was, it was accumulated in the liver longer than M1. The in vitro cytotoxicity of M1 was attenuated by fatty acid esterification, implying that esterification is a detoxification reaction. However, esterified M1 (EM1) inhibited the growth of B16 melanoma more than Ml in vivo. The in vivo antitumor activity paralleled with the pharmacokinetic behavior. In the case of M4, orally administered M4 was absorbed from the small intestine into the mesenteric lymphatics followed by the rapid esterification of M4 with fatty acids and its spreading to other organs in the body and excretion as bile. The administration of M4 prior to tumor injection abrogated the enhanced lung metastasis in the mice pretreated with 2-chloroadenosine more effectively than in those pretreated with anti-asialo GMl. Both EM1 and EM4 did not directly affect tumor growth in vitro, whereas EM1 promoted tumor cell lysis by lymphocytes, particularly non-adherent splenocytes, and EM4 stimulated splenic NK cells to become cytotoxic to tumor cells. Thus, the esterification of IBM with fatty acids potentiated the antitumor activity of parental IBM through delay of the clearance and through immunostimulation. These results suggest that the fatty acid conjugates of IBMs may be the real active principles of ginsenosides in the body.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.111-131
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• 2002

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) received a great deal of attention from the Orient and West as a tonic agent, health food and/or alternative herbal therapeutic agent. However, controversy with respect to scientific evidence on pharmacological effects especially, evaluation of clinical efficacy and the methodological approach still remains to be solved. Author reviewed those articles published since 1980 when pharmacodynamic studies on ginseng have intensively started. Special concern was paid on metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders, malignant tumor, sexual dysfunction, and physical and mental performance to give clear information to those who are interested in pharmacological study of ginseng and to promote its clinical use. With respect to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malignant disorders, and sexual disorders, it seems that ginseng plays preventive and restorative role rather than therapeutics. Particularly, ginseng plays a significant role in ameliorating subjective symptoms and preventing quality of life from deteriorating by long term exposure of chemical therapeutic agents. Also it seems that the potency of ginseng is mild, therefore it could be more effective when used concomitantly with conventional therapy. Clinical studies on the tonic effect of ginseng on work performance demonstrated that physical and mental dysfunction induced by various stresses are improved by increasing adaptability of physical condition. However, the results obtained from clinical studies cannot be mentioned in the indication, which are variable upon the scientist who performed those studies. In this respect, standardized ginseng product and providing planning of the systematic clinical research in double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the real efficacy for proposing ginseng indication. Pharmacological mode of action of ginseng has not yet been fully elucidated. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic researches reveal that the role of ginseng not seem to be confined to a given single organ. It has been known that ginseng plays a beneficial role in such general organs as central nervous, endocrine, metabolic, immune systems, which means ginseng improves general physical and mental conditons. Such multivalent effect of ginseng can be attributed to the main active component of ginseng,ginsenosides or non-saponin compounds which are also recently suggested to be another active ingredients. As is generally the similar case with other herbal medicines, effects of ginseng cannot be attributed as a given single compound or group of components. Diversified ingredients play synergistic or antagonistic role each other and act in harmonized manner. A few cases of adverse effect in clinical uses are reported, however, it is not observed when standardized ginseng products are used and recommended dose was administered. Unfavorable interaction with other drugs has also been suggested, which the information on the products and administered dosage are not available. However, efficacy, safety, interaction or contraindication with other medicines has to be more intensively investigated in order to promote clinical application of ginseng. For example, daily recommended doses per day are not agreement as 1-2g in the West and 3-6 g in the Orient. Duration of administration also seems variable according to the purpose. Two to three months are generally recommended to feel the benefit but time- and dose-dependent effects of ginseng still need to be solved from now on. Furthermore, the effect of ginsenosides transformed by the intestinal microflora, and differential effect associated with ginsenosides content and its composition also should be clinically evaluated in the future. In conclusion, the more wide-spread use of ginseng as a herbal medicine or nutraceutical supplement warrants the more rigorous investigations to assess its effacy and safety. In addition, a careful quality control of ginseng preparations should be done to ensure an acceptable standardization of commercial products.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2016

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide; therefore there is a need to discover new therapeutic modules with improved efficacy and safety. Immune-(cell) therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of intractable cancers. The effectiveness of certain chemotherapeutics in inducing immunogenic tumor cell death thus promoting cancer eradication has been reported. Ginsenoside Rg3 is a ginseng saponin that has antitumor and immunomodulatory activity. In this study, we treated tumor cells with Rg3 to verify the significance of inducing immunogenic tumor cell death in antitumor therapy, especially in DC-based immunotherapy. Rg3 killed the both immunogenic (B16F10 melanoma cells) and non-immunogenic (LLC: Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells) tumor cells by inducing apoptosis. Surface expression of immunogenic death markers including calreticulin and heat shock proteins and the transcription of relevant genes were increased in the Rg3-dying tumor. Increased calreticulin expression was directly related to the uptake of dying tumor cells by dendritic cells (DCs): the proportion of CRT⁺CD11c⁺cells was increased in the Rg3-treated group. Interestingly, tumor cells dying by immunogenic cell death secreted IFN-γ, an effector molecule for antitumor activity in T cells. Along with the Rg3-induced suppression of pro-angiogenic (TNF-α) and immunosuppressive cytokine (TGF-β) secretion, IFN-γ production from the Rg3-treated tumor cells may also indicate Rg3 as an effective anticancer immunotherapeutic strategy. The data clearly suggests that Rg3-induced immunogenic tumor cell death due its cytotoxic effect and its ability to induce DC function. This indicates that Rg3 may be an effective immunotherapeutic strategy.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.288-293
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• 1986

The washed fresh ginsengs packed with air, vaccum and nitrogen gas were irradiated at the levels of 1,2 and 3kGy gamma radiation and then stored at $4{\sim}5^{\circ}C$ for 90days to investigate the effects of gamma radiation on microbial inactivation, eelworm disinfestation and physicochemical changes. After a 90 day storage, $2{\sim}3kGy$ irradiated groups showed 20% of weight loss and 10% of rot while non-irradiated group 100% and 20% or more, respectively. Also the irradiated groups showed somewhat lower values of specific gravity, color density and hardness immediately after irradiation, thereafter higher value of them with storage time than those of non-irradiated group. The irradiation increased the yields of ginseng extract and crude saponins but no effects on the proximate composition and TLC and HPLC patterns of saponin. The food-borne microorganisms decreased in viable cell counts by $2{\sim}3$ log cycles with $2{\sim}3kGy$ radiation and the eelworms were completely disinfested with 1 kGy radiation.