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

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2020

Background: The cellular senescence of primary cultured cells is an irreversible process characterized by growth arrest. Restoration of senescence by ginsenosides has not been explored so far. Rg3(S) treatment markedly decreased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in senescent human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). However, the underlying mechanism of this effect of Rg3(S) on the senescent HDFs remains unknown. Methods: We performed a label-free quantitative proteomics to identify the altered proteins in Rg3(S)-treated senescent HDFs. Upregulated proteins induced by Rg3(S) were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analyses. Results: Finally, 157 human proteins were identified, and variable peroxiredoxin (PRDX) isotypes were highly implicated by network analyses. Among them, the mitochondrial PRDX3 was transcriptionally and translationally increased in response to Rg3(S) treatment in senescent HDFs in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our proteomic approach provides insights into the partial reversing effect of Rg3 on senescent HDFs through induction of antioxidant enzymes, particularly PRDX3.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.933-941
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• 2021

Ginsenoside Rg4 is a rare ginsenoside that is naturally found in ginseng, and exhibits a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in several cell types. The purpose of this study was to use an in vivo model of hair follicle (HF)-mimic based on a human dermal papilla (DP) spheroid system prepared by three-dimensional (3D) culture and to investigate the effect of Rg4 on the hair-inductive properties of DP cells. Treatment of the DP spheroids with Rg4 (20 to 50 ㎍/ml) significantly increased the viability and size of the DP spheres in a dose-dependent manner. Rg4 also increased the mRNA and protein expression of DP signature genes that are related to hair growth including ALP, BMP2, and VCAN in the DP spheres. Analysis of the signaling molecules and luciferase reporter assays further revealed that Rg4 induces the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and the inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK3β, which activates the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. These results correlated with not only the increased nuclear translocation of β-catenin following the treatment of the DP spheres with Rg4 but also the significant elevation of mRNA expression of the downstream target genes of the WNT/β-catenin pathway including WNT5A, β-catenin, and LEF1. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg4 promotes the hair-inductive properties of DP cells by activating the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway in DP spheres, suggesting that Rg4 could be a potential natural therapy for hair growth.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 2023

The skin's barrier structure is formed through the differentiation process of epidermal keratinocytes. It consists of corneocytes that are composed of keratin proteins and lipids that fill the spaces between them. During this process, the lipids such as phospholipid that made up the membrane of the basal layer cells of the epidermis are decomposed and replaced with newly synthesized components like ceramide. In this study, the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 components on the packing of the intercellular lipid structure of the skin barrier and the barrier function was confirmed. To confirm this, Rg3 components were treated during the differentiation process of 3D epidermal cells. The FT-IR and TEWL analysis on 3D epidermis showed an enhancement in the orthorhombic lipid packing and an improvement in barrier function. Additionally, in HaCaT cells, an increase in the expression of EVOL1 and EVOL4, which synthesize long-chain lipids, was detected, along with a decrease in CERS6, which synthesizes short-chain ceramide, and an increase in ACER6, which decomposes ceramide using phytosphingosine. This suggests the possibility that Rg3 affects lipid synthesis during the epidermal differentiation process, resulting in changes in barrier function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.567-575
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• 1998

Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer has been known for hundreds of years as the most valuable drug having mysterious effects among all the herbal medicines and plants in Korea. Also, many experimental studies have been performed recently that the various effects were identified and applied clinically. So we attempted an experimental study on the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures in an isolated rat heart with the use of the Langendorff model. The objective of this study was to determine whether this ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures would protect the myocardial injury after ischemic arrest and reperfusion. Isolated rat hearts were allowed to equilibrate for 20 minutes and were then subjected to 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia. After this ischemic period, isolated rat hearts were allowed to reperfusion for 10 minutes(Ischemic Group). In other group , isolated rat hearts were perfused for 60 minutes continuously with normothermia( Normothermic Group). Hemodynamic and biochemical parameters such as heart rate, left ventricular pressure, +dp/dt max, coronary blood flow and cardiac enzymes were measured during initial perfusion, ischemia, reperfusion period (Ischemic group) and 20, 40 and 60 minutes after continuous perfusion(Normothermic group). After completion of the experiment, this data was evaluated and the following results were obtained. 1. Heart rates showed an increase in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups, but statistically significant differences were not identified. 2. LVP(Left Ventricular Pressure) showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups(p<0.005, p<0.01). 3. +dp/dt max showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups(p<0.01, p<0.01). 4. There were no statistically significant differences in coronary blood flow and cardiac cenzymes in all groups, but experimental groups seemed to have better protection and recovery. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures has a protective effect on the myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2009

This study examined the effects of black ginseng (9 times-steamed ginseng) on hypoglycemic action in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats as well as changes in ginsenoside composition by the steaming process. As the number of steaming cycles increased, the amounts of crude saponin and most ginsenoside contents decreased, while the amount of ginsenoside- Rg3 and the ratio of PD/PT (=[$Rb_1+Rb_2+Rc+Rd+Rg_3]/[Re+Rb_1+Rh_1]$) increased. This ginsenoside composition is a unique characteristic compared to other types of ginseng products. In order to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the black ginseng extract, in vivo studies were performed in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The studies showed that the administration of the black ginseng extract decreased high blood glucose levels (more than 300 mg/dL) to a normal level (102 mg/dL). These results suggest that this black ginseng extract has a significant hypoglycemic effect and can be used as an anti-diabetic substance for dietary supplements or new drugs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.375-383
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• 2011

In the previous report, we have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rc, one of major ginsenosides, is a major component for the restoration for normal growth of worms in cholesterol-deprived medium. In the present study, we further investigated the roles of minor ginsenosides, such as ginsenoside $Rh_1$ and $Rh_2$, ginsenoside metabolites such as compound K (CK), protopanaxadiol (PPD), and protopanaxatriol (PPT) and ginsenoside epimers such as 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ in cholesterol-deprived medium. We found that ginsenoside $Rh_1$ almost restored normal growth of worms in cholesterol-deprived medium in F1 generation. However, supplement of ginsenoside $Rh_2$ caused a suppression of worm growths in cholesterol-deprived medium. In addition, CK and PPD also slightly restored normal growth of worms in cholesterol-deprived medium but PPT not. In experiments using ginsenoside epimers, supplement of 20(S)- but not 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ in cholesterol-deprived medium also almost restored worm growth. These results indicate that the absence or presence of carbohydrate component at backbone of ginsenoside, the number of carbohydrate attached at carbon-3, and the position of hydroxyl group at carbon-20 of ginsenoside might plays important roles in restoration of worm growth in cholesterol-deprived medium.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of extrusion conditions (moisture content 20% and 30%, screw speed 200 and 250 rpm, barrel temperature $115^{\circ}C$ and $130^{\circ}C$) on the acidic polysaccharide, ginsenoside contents and antioxidant properties of extruded Korean red ginseng (KRG). Extruded KRGs showed relatively higher amounts of acidic polysaccharide (6.80% to 9.34%) than non-extruded KRG (4.34%). Increased barrel temperature and screw speed significantly increased the content of acidic polysaccharide. The major ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg2s, Rg3s, Rh1, and Rg3r) of KRG increased through extrusion, while the ginsenoside (Rg1) decreased. The EX8 (moisture 30%, screw speed 250 rpm, and temperature $130^{\circ}C$) had more total phenolics and had a better scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals than those of extruded KRG samples. The extrusion cooking showed a significant increase (6.8% to 20.9%) in reducing power. Increased barrel temperature significantly increased the values of reducing power, the highest value was 1.152 obtained from EX4 (feed moisture 20%, screw speed 250 rpm, and temperature $130^{\circ}C$). These results suggest that extrusion conditions can be optimized to retain the health promoting compounds in KRG products.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.135-141
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• 2023

Protection of skin cells from chronic infrared-A (IRA) irradiation is crucial for anti-photoaging of the skin. In this study, we investigated the protective activity of Rg3(S) and Rg3(S)-incorporated anionic soybean lecithin liposomes (Rg3/Lipo) with a size of approximately 150 nm against IRA-induced photodamage in human fibroblasts. The formulated Rg3/Lipo showed increased solubility in aqueous solution up to a concentration of 200 ㎍/ml, compared to free Rg3(S). In addition, Rg3/Lipo exhibited superior colloidal stability in aqueous solutions and biocompatibility for normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). After repeated IRA irradiation on NHDFs, elevated levels of cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were greatly reduced by Rg3(S) and Rg3/Lipo. In addition, cells treated with Rg3/Lipo exhibited noticeably reduced apoptotic signals following IRA irradiation compared to untreated cells. Thus, considering aqueous solubility and cellular responses, Rg3/Lipo could serve as a promising infrared protector for healthy aging of skin cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.329-338
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• 2017

This study was investigated the changes of quality stability and physicochemical characteristics of the Korean red ginsengs stored for a long times over 20 years. The Korean red ginsengs were stored for 4 to 22 years in canned packaging with polypropylene film and wooden box at room temperatures. The unusal phenomena such as discoloration and pin hole in packaging were not observed. General bacteria showed the vlaues of below 100 CFU/g, coliform groups and molds were not found in any samples stored for 22 year. Any samples also were not detected in mycotoxins. The contents of moisture, ash and crude saponin were the levels of 10.6~11.1%, 3.8~4.2% and 4.1~4.7% during the whole storage periods, respectively. The contents of maltol, which has been known as characteristic flavour and antioxidant of Korean red ginseng, showed remarkably increasing tendency from 0.10 mg/g for 4 years to 2.53 mg/g for 22 years during the storage. The contents of AFG (arginyl-fructosyl-glucose), arginine and free sugar were slightly decreased. Acidic polysaccharide and ginsenoside were not changed significantly during the storage periods. The contents of acidic polysaccharide and total ginsenosides were the 75.1~76.3 mg/g and 15.1~16.6 mg/g, respectively. The sums of ginsenoside-Rg1,-Rb1 and -Rg3s were the ranges of 9.3~9.9 mg/g and PD (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2,-Rc,-Rd,-Rg3s,-Rg3r)/PT (ginsenoside-Rg1,-Rg2,-Re,-Rf,-Rh1) saponin ratios were the levels of 1.4~1.5. These results suggest that Korean red ginsengs stored for long periods show relatively stable quaility stabilities and not significantly changed the contents of ginsenoside and polysaccharide during the storage up to 22 years.