• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2017

This study was carried out to obtain the basic information that can be used to index Acanthopanax in eleven species of China and Korea. The phytochemical components from the berry of Acanthopanax species, were measured by the HPLC analysis. Protocatechuic acid, eleutheroside B, eleutheroside E, scopolin, rutin, hyperoside, chiisanoside, oleanolic acid were found in ethanol extracts from the berry of Acanthopanax species. Total phenolic compound of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum f. chungbuensis berry (0.682%) was about seven times higher than those of Acanthopanax divaricatus f. distigmatis berry (0.091%). As a result, the order of the eleutheroside E content was 1) Acanthopanax sessiliflorum f. chungbuensis (0.554%), 2) A. divaricatus var. albeofructus (0.501%), 3) A. divaricatus f. flavi-flos (0.452%). And also, the order of the chiisanoside content was 1) Acanthopanax senticosus var. subinermis (8.434%), 2) A. seoulense (0.94%), 3) A. divaricatus f. flavi-flos (0.798%).

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.629-636
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• 2012

Ginsenosides, ginseng saponin, are the principal components responsible for the pharmacological and biological activities of ginseng. In order to improve absorption and biological activities, the biotransformation of major ginsenoside to minor ginsenoside, as the more active compound, is required. In this study, we isolated Lactobacillus brevis THK-D57, which has high ${\beta}$-glycosidase activity, from Kimchi. The major ginsenoside Rb1 was converted to the minor ginsenoside 'compound K' during the fermentation of L. brevis THK-D57. The results propose that the biotransformation pathway to produce compound K is as follows: ginsenoside $Rb_1{\rightarrow}ginsenoside$ $Rd{\rightarrow}ginsenoside$ $F_2{\rightarrow}ginsenoside$ compound K.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.567-579
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• 2018

This study analyzed consumers' recognition and demand for probiotic products and dietary and living habits according to their probiotics ingestion experience to provide information on the development of probiotic products and marketing strategies in the health functional food-related industry. A total of 280 consumers living in Seoul, Incheon and Kyeonggi-do area were enrolled in this study. The consumers expected mostly intestinal health (80.4%) after ingesting probiotics. The appropriate price level for purchasing probiotics was between 20,000-50,000 won (58.2%), preferring a price range of 50,000 won or less (77.1%). There was a significant difference in the dietary habits depending on the experience of probiotics ingestion, but there was no difference in the living habit. Consumers took Vitamin C, red Ginseng and Ginseng the most instead of probiotics as health functional foods. Based on the results, a marketing strategy could be established to meet the consumer's needs, such as focusing on the effects of probiotics, building up various price policies and the development of new products mixing with other commonly consumed health supplements.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to develop a new method of producing tienchi seng (notoginseng, Panax notoginseng) extracts featuring high concentrations of the ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, and Rg6, special components of Korean red ginseng. The chemical transformation from ginseng saponin glycosides to prosapogenin was analyzed by HPLC. Tienchi seng was heat-processed at 100℃ and the optimum conditions were identified. The highest concentrations of total saponin (29.723%) and the ginsenoside Rg3 (1.769%), Rg5 (5.979%), and Rg6 (13.473%) were produced at 48 hours. Also, when tienchi seng was subjected to the ultrasonic thermal fusion (100℃) process, the concentrations of total saponin (30.578%), ginsenoside Rg3 (2.392%), Rg5 (6.614%), and Rg6 (13.017%) were highest at 36 hours. On the other hand, the 2-hour heat-processed extract and 2-hour ultrasonic thermal fusion-processed extract did not contain ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, and Rg6. The ultrasonic thermal fusion process had an extraction yield that was approximately 1.26 times greater than that of the heat process. These results indicate that the highly functional tienchi seng extracts created through the ultrasonic thermal fusion process are more industrially useful than those produced using the heat process.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.294-303
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• 2010

Various types of health functional foods (HFF) are popularly used among middle-aged. We surveyed 946 middle-aged in Korea for HFF use and significant variables for their HFF use including demographic characteristics, health related variables and nutritional beliefs. The use prevalence of HFF was 58.9%, and among all types of HFF, red ginseng products were taken most frequently, followed by nutritional supplements, ginseng products > mushroom products. HFF was taken more frequently in subjects from high monthly family income (p < .001), and in those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .001) in comparison to each corresponding group. Mean age of users was higher than nonusers (p < .001). Self concern about health (p < .001) and usage ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) were higher in users than in nonusers of HFF. Total dietary assessment score was not different in two groups, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefit of HFF than nonusers (p < .001). Most users of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (52.8%) and experienced a little effect through the HFF use (51.2%). Most users of HFF obtained the information on HFF through family and relatives (30.5%) and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (44.5%). HFF users preferred multivitamin and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread use of HFF and inappropriate usage of HFF among subjects, the proper use of these products for the contribution to their optimal nutrition and overall health is a subject that should be formed through practical nutrition education considering the various variables affecting their HFF use.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.36-55
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ginseng seed oil in healthy subjects who have mild liver dysfunction. Methods: A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 167 subjects visited Semyung University Hospital from July 1st, 2016 to June 10th 2017. Except for the 103 excluded subjects, 64 subjects were randomized into one of the two groups: an treatment group(n=33) and control group(n=31). Subjects were randomly given either ginseng oil seed capsules or indistinguishable placebo capsules(2 capsules per dose, twice per day). Laboratory tests(aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) were performed to evaluate the effectiveness after 6, 12 weeks of treatment. Vital sign, laboratory test were performed to assess safety at every visit. Results: There were no significant differences in efficacy between treatment group and control group. There were some adverse events with no significant difference in symptoms and frequency between treatment group and control group. Conclusions: Although the efficacy of ginseng seed oil was not proved, ginseng seed oil did not worsen liver function and proved its safety. More study of ginseng seed oil and clinical trials are necessary to increase the usefulness of above-ground parts of ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2006

This study was carried out to determine the antioxidative activities of tissue cells of mouse kidney isolated from mice fed with different formulation of drinks. The swimming ability of experimental groups without caffeine showed the same pattern, but caffeine group decreased slightly. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) activities of caffeine-containing groups were decreased significantly, but the control and ginseng-containing groups were increased. Hydroperoxide contents did not increase significantly all experimental groups. Hydroperoxlde contents of the control and ginseng-containing groups were similar, but caffeine-containing groups increased. Compared to the control and ginseng-containing groups, lipid peroxidation level and protein contents in caffeine-containing groups were decreased significantly. In conclusion, the antioxidative activities of mouse kidney isolated from mice fed with ginseng-containing products was increased slightly.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.183-187
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• 2015

Background: Gut microflora play a crucial role in the biotransformation of ginsenosides to compound K (CK), which may affect the pharmacological effects of ginseng. Prebiotics, such as NUTRIOSE, could enhance the formation and consequent absorption of CK through the modulation of gut microbial metabolic activities. In this study, the effect of a prebiotic fiber (NUTRIOSE) on the pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside CK, a bioactive metabolite of ginsenosides, and its mechanism of action were investigated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given control or NUTRIOSE-containing diets (control diet + NUTRIOSE) for 2 wk, and ginseng extract or vehicle was then orally administered. Blood samples were collected to investigate the pharmacokinetics of CK using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Fecal activities that metabolize ginsenoside Rb1 to CK were assayed with fecal specimens or bacteria cultures. Results: When ginseng extract was orally administered to rats fed with 2.5%, 5%, or 10% NUTRIOSE containing diets, the maximum plasma concentration ($C_{max}$) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve values of CK significantly increased in a NUTRIOSE content-dependent manner. NUTRIOSE intake increased glycosidase activity and CK formation in rat intestinal contents. The CK-forming activities of intestinal microbiota cultured in vitro were significantly induced by NUTRIOSE. Conclusion: These results show that prebiotic diets, such as NUTRIOSE, may promote the metabolic conversion of ginsenosides to CK and the subsequent absorption of CK in the gastrointestinal tract and may potentiate the pharmacological effects of ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.203-207
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• 2014

Background: There is limited understanding of the effect of dietary components on the absorption of ginsenosides and their metabolites into the blood. Methods: This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of the ginseng extract and its main constituent ginsenoside Rb1 in rats with or without pretreatment with a prebiotic fiber, NUTRIOSE, by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. When ginsenoside Rb1 was incubated with rat feces, its main metabolite was ginsenoside Rd. Results: When the intestinal microbiota of rat feces were cultured in vitro, their ginsenoside Rd-forming activities were significantly induced by NUTRIOSE. When ginsenoside Rb1 was orally administered to rats, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma drug concentratione-time curve (AUC) for the main metabolite, ginsenoside Rd, were $72.4{\pm}31.6ng/mL$ and $663.9{\pm}285.3{\mu}g{\cdot}h/mL$, respectively. When the ginseng extract (2,000 mg/kg) was orally administered, Cmax and AUC for ginsenoside Rd were $906.5{\pm}330.2ng/mL$ and $11,377.3{\pm}4,470.2{\mu}g{\cdot}h/mL$, respectively. When ginseng extract was orally administered to rats fed NUTRIOSE containing diets (2.5%, 5%, or 10%), Cmax and AUC were increased in the NUTRIOSE receiving groups in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These findings reveal that intestinal microflora promote metabolic conversion of ginsenoside Rb1 and ginseng extract to ginsenoside Rd and promote its absorption into the blood in rats. Its conversion may be induced by prebiotic diets such as NUTRIOSE.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.540-548
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• 2018

Background: Acute hepatic failure is a life-threatening critical condition associated with rapid deterioration of liver function and liver transplantation. Several studies have shown that Panax ginseng Mayer has antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects. However, the hepatoprotective effect of ginseng berry is still unveiled. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of ultrasonication-processed ginseng berry extract (UGBE) on acute hepatic failure model in rats. Methods: Ginseng berry extract (GBE) was ultrasonically processed. The GBE, silymarin, and UGBE were orally administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 wk. Twenty-four h after the last administration, rats were challenged with D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: After ultrasonication, the component ratio of ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rh1, Rh4, Rk1, Rk3, and F4 in GBE had been elevated. Administration of UGBE significantly increased the survival rate of D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats. Pretreatment with UGBE significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels in D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of enzymatic markers for oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione) were increased by UGBE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Tumor necrosis factor alphalevel, inducible nitric oxide synthase activities, and nitric oxide productions were reduced by UGBE treatment. In addition, hemeoxygenase-1 levels in liver were also significantly increased in the UGBE-treated group. The protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 was decreased by UGBE administration. Hematoxylin and eosin staining results also supported the results of this study showing normal appearance of liver histopathology in the UGBE-treated group. Conclusion: UGBE showed a great hepatoprotective effect on D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats via the toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway.