• 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.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.59-59
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• 2018

Panax ginseng Meyer (Korean ginseng) is in the spotlight of Oriental medicine and is proclaimed as the king of medicinal plants owing to its adaptogenic characteristics. Ginseng root rot is a devastating disease caused by the fungus, Ilyonectria mors-panacis that generally attacks younger roots (~2 years), leading to defects in root quality, ginsenoside accumulation and also life cycle of the plant. Hence, there is an indispensable need to develop strategies resulting in tolerance against ginseng root rot. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of silica nanoparticles(N-SiO2) in Panax ginseng during I. mors-panacis infection. Long term analysis (30 dpi) revealed a striking 50% reduction in disease severity index upon 1mM and 2mM treatment of N-SiO2. However, N-SiO2 did not have any direct antifungal activity against I. mors-panacis. Membrane bound sugar efflux transporter, SWEET (Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters) was identified in ginseng and as expected, its expression was suppressed upon N-SiO2 treatment in the root rot pathosystem. Furthermore, the total and reducing sugars in the apoplastic fluid clearly revealed that N-SiO2 regulates sugar efflux into apoplast. In a nut shell, N-SiO2 administration induces transcriptional reprogramming in ginseng roots, leading to regulated sugar efflux into apoplast resulting in enhanced tolerance against I. mors-panacis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.97-99
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• 1972

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.115-126
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• 2009

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of red ginseng on women's health-related quality of life (QOL) and sexual function. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical study was performed. The main efficacy was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFl) and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Twenty-four healthy, married women aged 30-45 years with FSFl scores below 25 were randomly divided into two groups: the red-ginseng group (N=12) and the placebo group (N=12). During the first six-week period (Study 1), each group was given red ginseng or placebo twice a day. Before the start of the second six-week period (Study 2), a crossover design was chosen with a two-week break (washout period). Interchanging the two groups after the washout period, red ginseng and placebo were given to each group. The outcomes were measured before and after each six-week period. Overall, 23 participants completed the study. In Study 1, the changes relative to the baseline in the FSFl total score were 22.50% and 22.99% for red ginseng and placebo, respectively. In Study 2, the relative changes were 8.14% for red ginseng and 6.29% for placebo. The results showed a greater improving trend in Study 1 with respect to all of the participants' sexual functions, but no significant difference was found between the groups (P=0.9567). After taking red ginseng, all the participants exhibited an improving trend in the desire domain of FSFl, but no significant difference was shown. In the measurement of SF-36, no significant difference was likewise shown. After taking red ginseng, though, all the participants exhibited an improving trend in the physical functioning (PF) domain of SF-36, with no significant difference. Moreover, there was no significant adverse event related to red ginseng. The QOL and sexual function of the study participants in the red-ginseng group were mostly improved, but no statistically significant effect of red ginseng was shown. It is supposed that this result was partly due to the affirmative impression of red ginseng in Korea. Thus, it is anticipated that a long-term clinical trial will show a significant effect of red ginseng on the QOL and sexual function.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.467-474
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• 2011

As a serial study to investigate optimum storing temperature of fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), the respiration rate and internal quality of the ginseng was compared during storage for 16 weeks at $-3^{\circ}C$, $-1.5^{\circ}C$ and $0^{\circ}C$. At initial storage period, respiration rate of fresh ginseng was lower at lower temperature, but thereafter it was negligible. Changes in the firmness of fresh ginseng were not significantly different by the storage temperature. The soluble solids content in fresh ginseng was rapidly increased in the early part of storage, and fresh ginseng stored at a lower temperature had a lower content of soluble solids. The iodine-stained color for starch of the main root was rapidly changed for 4 weeks, and L value of the color was the highest in the center, followed by the cambium and the cortex. pH were a little change depending upon the storage temperature, and as a whole, pH was the lowest at $-3^{\circ}C$, followed by $-1.5^{\circ}C$ and $0^{\circ}C$. Although the content of crude saponin tended to somewhat increased as the storage period passed, the effect of storage temperature on changes in the content was not clear. In the sensory evaluation of 'unique flavor' of fresh ginseng using 5 point scale, higher than 3 point was marked for 8 weeks at $-3^{\circ}C$, 14 weeks at $-1.5^{\circ}C$ and 16 weeks at $-0^{\circ}C$ during storage (p < 0.05).

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 2009

This study investigated the quality characteristics of red ginseng extracts prepared using alkaline water. The principal extract mineral was calcium, at 61.73-180.63 mg%, and alkalinity increased as the ionization minerals concentration rose. Alkaline red ginseng extracts(AKRGEs) 3, 6, and 9 were found to have pH values of 4.9-5.0, to be of 3.03-3.43 degrees of $^{\circ}Brix$, with soluble solid contents of 2.33-2.60%(w/v). Extract 3 was brown in color, thus similar to that of(conventional) red ginseng extract(RGE). The calcium contents and alkalinity levels of AKRGE 6 and AKRGE 9 were approximately 18-29-fold and 5-11-fold higher, respectively, than those of RGE and five commercial samples of red ginseng. AKRGEs showed lower crude saponin contents than did RGE, but ginsenoside contents did not differ significantly between RGE and AKRGEs. The DPPH-assayed free-radical and superoxide radical scavenging activities of AKRGEs were 12-13% and about 20%, respectively, thus similar to those of RGE. In sensory evaluation tests, AKRGE 3 and 6 were less bitter and better in overall quality than was RGE.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2012

The objectives of this study were to manufacture the red ginseng vinegar based on rice wine and red ginseng concentrate (RGC) using $Acetobacter$ $aceti$ and to evaluate its quality with remaining crude saponin contents and sensory score. The maximum prosapogenin (ginsenoside-Rh1, Rh2, Rg2, and Rg3) content in RGC regarding ginseng was obtained from such processes as steaming, drying, and extraction. When RGC was added into a rice wine in the range of 0-1% before acetic fermentation, pH decreased slowly during 20 days depending on RGC contents, but total acidity was not dependent on RGC contents. Compared to the crude saponin content (71.75 mg/g) of ginseng vinegar added RGC after acetic fermentation, the fermentation with RGC produced a lower crude saponin content (16.95 mg/g) in red ginseng vinegar. Sensory scores such as odor, taste, and overall preference, however, vinegar fermented with RGC were higher than those of vinegar added RGC after acetic fermentation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2002

As meat consumption increases, consumers have demanded meat products containing functional ingredients which beneficial health effect rather than a normal food. The objective of this study was to investigate the physico-chemical and sensory properties of pork Bulgogi product(PB) containing different concentrations of ground ginseng such as 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%. The cooked PB containing ground ginseng had low TBA values when stored at 5$\^{C}$ for 7 days and showed high L and b values (CIE) in meat color when compared to those of control. The PB containing ground ginseng had lower scores in hardness than control, but there were no significant differences in cohesiveness, springness, and chewiness. In fatty acid compositions, the percentages of PUFA/SFA were highest in the PB containing 2% of ground ginseng. The sensory panels preferred PB containing ground ginseng in flavor, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability to those of control. In conclusion, the addition of ginseng enhanced flavor and palatability of PB without any adverse effect on meat quality.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2016

Background: The photosynthetic efficiency cool-season, semi-shade ginseng is normal at low morning temperatures, but drops at high afternoon temperatures. Therefore, optimal plant performance would be ensured if it were possible to control daily light transmission rates (LTR). Methods and Results: Plants were grown in a controlled light environment that replicated 11 AM conditions and comparatively analyzed against plant grown under normal conditions. Growth in the controlled light environment resulted in a 2.81 fold increase in photosynthetic efficiency with no change in chlorophyll content, although LTR were high due to low morning temperatures. Increased aerial plant growth was observed in the ginseng plants adapted to the controlled light environment, which in turn influenced root weight. An 81% increase in fresh root weight (33.3 g per plant on average) was observed in 4-year-old ginseng plants grown in controlled light environment compared to the plants grown following conventional practices (18.4 g per plant on average). With regard to the inorganic composition of leaves of 4-year-old ginseng plants grown in controlled light environment, an increased in Fe content was observed, while Mn and Zn content decreased, and total ginsenoside content of roots increased 2.37 fold. Conclusions: Growth of ginseng under a favorable light environment, such as the condition which exist naturally at 11 AM and are suitable for the plant's photosynthetic activity creates the possibility of large scale production, excellent-quality ginseng.