• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.531-544
• /
• 2002

Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. Ameliorating effects of ginseng were observed on the models of scopolamine-induced, aged or hippocampal lesioned learning and memory deficits. Further beneficial effects of ginseng were observed on neuronal cell death associated with ischemia or glutamate toxicity. In spite of these beneficial effects of ginseng on the CNS, little scientific evidence shows at the cellular level. In the present study, we have employed cultures of rat hippocampal neurons and examined the direct modulation of ginseng on NMDA receptor-induced changes in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and -gated currents using fura-2-based digital imaging and perforated whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, respectively. We found that ginseng total saponins inhibited NMDA-induced but less effectively glutamate-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ Ginseng total saponins also modulated $Ca^{2+}$ transients evoked by depolarization with 50 mM KCI along with its own effects on $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. Among ginsenosides tested, ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was found to be the most potent component for ginseng actions on NMDA receptors. Furthermore, we examined the inhibitory effects ofbiotransformants of ginsenosides on NMDA receptor using purified stereoisomers of ginsenosides. 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and its metabolite, 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rh_3$, produced the strongest inhibition while 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rh_1$ and Compound K produced the moderate inhibition on NMDA-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. The data obtained suggest that the inhibition of NMDA receptors by ginseng, in particular by 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and its metabolite, 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rh_2$, could be one of mechanisms for ginsengmediated neuroprotective actions.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 2008.05a
• /
• pp.78-78
• /
• 2008

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.45-51
• /
• 1995

Ozone treatment was applied to ginseng powder for the improving hygienic quality of ginseng powder. A bacterial strain was isolated form ginseng powder contaminated. The strain designated as GT4, was identified as Escherichia coli species by IMVIC test method. Ozone inhibited strongly total bacteria and coliforms in ginseng powder(initial concentration 103/g) at 0.35 ppm. High ozone concentration reduced death time of the total bacteria in ginseng powder. However, ozone treatment caused significant degradation in saponins of ginseng powder. Ozone treatment also caused a increase in Hunter's color L value and decrease in a and b values of ginseng powder.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.88-95
• /
• 1980

Red ginseng was extracted with water and analyzed for yield, saponin, pectin and other chemical composition. It was found that: (1) The total solid content in extract after 6 times of extraction was 46.8%,: including 13.6% of centrifugal residue; (2) 83.7% of total extractable solids and 86% total saponin was extracted after the initial three runs of extraction. (3) No significant changes were observed in HPLC pattern of extracted saponins over a range of extractions; (4) The ratio of centrifugal residue to total solids increased as the number of extractions increased; (5) The ratios of fat, protein, reducing sugar and pectin contents decreased with repeating extraction while those of crude fiber, total sugar and 35% alcohol insoluble residue increased when they were compared with total solids.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.187-195
• /
• 1993

We have examined the functional role of central dopaminergic processes on the behavioral pharmacological effects induced by psychotropics and red ginseng saponins of normal rats and compared with that of brain damaged rats. Desipramine and clomipramine produced, a significant depression of the locomotor activity in normal rats, but in brain damaged rats, they did not have any effect throughout the experimental period of 4 hours. Total saponin (50~200 mg/kg), PT (25~50 mg/kg), PD (25~50 mg/kg), $Rg_1$(12.5~25 mg/kg), $Rb_1$ (12.5~50 mg/kg) did not change, and high concentrations of PT (100 mg/kg), PD (100 mg/kg) and $Rg_1$ (50 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease in the locomotor activity of one hour after administration but total saponin (100 mg/kg), PD (25~50 mg/kg), Rgl (12.5 mg/kg), $Rb_1$ (12.5 mg/kg) markedly increased the locomotor activity of four hour after administration in normal rats. On the other hand, total saponin (50 mg/kg), PT (100 mg/kg) and PD (100 mg/kg) Produced a prominent stimulation of the locomotor activity in brain damaged rats. These results suggest that the inhibition of the locomotor activity induced by antidepressants was not affected by the sensitivity of cerebral DA system, whereas red ginseng saponin showed antifatigue effect and also the stimulation of the locomotor activity induced by red ginseng saponin was mediated by the inhibition of cerebral DA system. These psychotropic action of red ginseng saponins could be responsible for the beneficial effects on conditions of fatigue and decreased alertness.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.215-219
• /
• 2006

This study was carried out to obtain the basic information for non-saponin contents that can be used to index fresh ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) cultivated in the Republic of Korea and China. Non-saponin components in fresh gingeng roots which were cultivated in various areas and ages in Korea were determined. Acidic polysaccharide, total polysaccharide, crude polyacetylene were quantitatively analyzed by using the method of spectrophotometric determination, while the total protein was analyzed by using Lowry method. The results show that there were no statistically significant differences for the average contents of four non-saponins among 4-years-old, 5-years-old, and 6-years-old fresh ginseng roots. Additionally, this study assessed the average contents of non-saponin components in 4-years-old fresh ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) which were cultivated in Korea and China. The result showed that the average contents of crude polyacetylene and acidic polysaccharide were statistically significant. Four-years-old fresh ginseng roots cultivated in Korea had the higher average contents of crude polyacetylene and acidic polysaccharide than those cultivated in China. However the average contents of total polysaccharide and total protein had no statistically significant difference.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the changes in ingredients according to its cultivation method by examining the content of saponin and non-saponin components of ginseng. Methods: Ginseng saponin component analysis was compared and reviewed using the high-performance liquid chromatography method, and acidic polysaccharide component was measured using the carbazole sulfuric acid method. Results: The comparative analysis of ginseng saponin content of 4 and 6 years old fresh ginseng showed the following results. According to the cultivation method, upland field cultivation fresh ginseng showed higher average content of crude saponin than paddy field cultivation fresh ginseng. Whereas, paddy field cultivation fresh ginseng showed higher average content of total saponin than upland field cultivation fresh ginseng. Ginsenoside Rb1 showed higher content of paddy field cultivation fresh ginseng than upland field cultivation fresh ginseng in 6 years old ginseng. However, it showed higher content of upland field cultivation fresh ginseng than paddy field cultivation fresh ginseng in 4 years old ginseng. Additionally, ginsenoside Rg1 showed higher content of paddy field cultivation fresh ginseng than upland field cultivation fresh ginseng in 6 years old ginseng, whereas upland field cultivation fresh ginseng showed higher content of paddy field cultivation fresh ginseng in 4 years old ginseng. The effect on the content of ginseng saponins and acidic polysaccharides according to paddy field and upland field cultivation methods is considered to be small. Conclusions: The paddy field cultivation method, which is more efficient in production cost due to depletion of farmland and long-distance cultivation, is considered to be an economical cultivation method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2001

This study was carried out to isolate saponin compounds from red-ginseng efflux, which was produced during the industrial processing of red-ginseng from fresh ginseng. We isolated crude saponin from the efflux extract (moisture content 35.0%) by using Diaion HP-20 adsorption method. Non-saponin fraction, which was adsorbed on Diaion HP-20 resin, was removed by eluating with $H_{2}O$ and 25% spirit. Then crude saponin was eluated with 95% spirit, continuously. Saponin in the eluated fractions was confirmed by TLC analysis. Crude saponin isolated from red ginseng efflux extract contained 12.10% of saponin. whereas those of white ginseng and red-ginseng were 3.30 and 3.39%, respectively. Ginsenoside contents showed the highest contents kin crude saponin from red ginseng efflux extract. Expacilly, the ginsenoside-$Rb_{1}$ and Re showed the highest contents in red-ginseng efflux extract when compared with those of white ginseng and red ginseng crude saponins. And the other ginsenosides except ginsenoside-$Rb_{1}$ and -Re also showed the highest contents in red ginseng efflux extract. However, the ratio of PD saponin (Panaxadiol saponin: $Rb_{1}+Rb_{2}$+Rc+Rd) to PT saponin (panaxatriol: $Re+Rg_{1}$) showed almost the same level when compared with those of ginseng saponin fractions. Ratio of PD/PT from red ginseng efflux extract was 1.99. Ratios of PD/PT from white ginseng and red ginseng were 1.85 and 1.84, respectively. Saponin purity, which was calculated by ratio percent of total ginsenoside to curde saponin content, was 45.90%. In case of white ginseng and red ginseng, the purities were 35.50 and 36.00%, respectively. However, by PHLC analysis, we confirmed that crude saponin isolated from red ginsengs. It suggested that crude saponin isolated from red ginseng ellux also would be useful component as ginseng saponins.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.29-38
• /
• 1986

The effects of ginseng saponins on the sarcolemmal $Na^{+}$, $K^{+}$-ATPase were compared to gypsophila saponin, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), and Triton X-100 to elucidate whether the effects are due to the membrane distruption, using a highly enriched preparation of cardiac sarcolemma prepared from dog ventricular myocardium. About 26% and 29% of vesicles in the preparation, enriched in ouabain-sensitive $Na^{+}$, $K^{+}$-ATP ase, $\beta$-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors are rightside-out and inside-out orientation, respectively. Ginseng saponins (triol>total> diol) inhibited $Na^{+}$, $K^{+}$-ATP ase activity, $Na^{+}$, $K^{+}$-ATPase activity and [$^{3}$H]ouabain binding of sarcolemmal vesicles. However, gypsophila saponin, SDS (0.4$\mu$g/$\mu$g protein) and Triton X-100 (0.6 $\mu$g/$\mu$g protein) caused about 1.35 and 1.40-fold increase in $Na^{+}$, $K^{+}$-ATPase activity and [$^{3}$H] oubain binding, respectively. Especially, the activating effect of gypsophila saponin on membrane Na+, K+ ATPase was detected at gypsophila saponin to sarcolemmal protein ratios as high as 100. Low dose of ginseng saponin (3$\mu$g/$\mu$g protein) decreased the phosphorylation sites and the concentration of ouabain binding sites (Bmax) without affecting the turnover number and affinity for ouabain binding, while gypsophila saponin, SDS(0.4 ug/ug protein), ahd Triton X-100 (0.6$\mu$g/$\mu$g protein) increased the Bmax. The results suggest that ginseng saponins cause a decrease in the number of active sites by interacting directly with $Na^{+}$, $K^{+}$-ATPase before disruption of membrane barriers of sarcolemmal vesicles.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.206-212
• /
• 2003

Comparative effects of electron beam and gamma-ray irradiation (25 ∼15 kGy) were investigated on saponin stability and some physiological and chemical properties of white and red ginseng powders. Saponin components were found stable upon irradiation of both energies when determined by TLC and HPLC, after 4 months of storage at room temperature as well as immediately after treatment The contents of total phenolics and acidic polysaccharides of the samples were higher in red ginseng than in white. Polysaccharide contents increased with irradiation doses. Amylase activity of white ginseng was stimulated by irradiation but decreased with the lapse of storage time. There were no apparent differences in electrophoresis patterns of extracted proteins depending on irradiation doses and energy sources.