• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.70-77
• /
• 2006

Ginseng has an anti-cancer effect in several cancer models. As a mechanism study of ginsenoside-induced growth inhibition in cancer cells, we measured change of membrane potential in prostate cancer and glioma cells by ginsenosides, active constituents of ginseng. Membrane potential was estimated by measuring fluorescence change of DiBAC-Ioaded cells. Among 11 ginsenosides tested, ginsenosides $Rb_2$, $Rg_3$, and $Rh_2$ increased significantly and robustly the membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner in prostate cancer and glioma cells. Ginsenosides Rc, Ro, and $Rb_1$ slightly increased membrane potential. The ginsenoside-induced membrane potential increase was not affected by treatment with pertussis toxin or U73122. The ginsenoside-induced membrane potential increase was not diminished in $Na^+$-free or $HCO_3^-$-free media. Furthermore, the ginsenoside-induced increase of membrane potential was not changed by EIPA (5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride), SITS (4-acetoamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid), and omeprazole. In summary, ginsenosides $Rb_2$, $Rg_3$, and $Rh_2$ increased membrane potential in prostate cancer and glioma cells in a GPCR-independent and $Na^+$ independent manner.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.184-190
• /
• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate ginsenoside content in different root parts and the correlation between root diameter and ginsenoside composition of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer cultivated by direct seeding. The unit contents of ginsenoside were 29.65, 28.76, 26.34 mg/g, respectively in 4, 5, 6 years old. However, the total contents of ginsenoside were 431.97, 606.56, 657.80 mg/root, respectively. Total ginsenoside content of fine root was higher than that of main root and lateral root. These tendencies were related to decrease by the increase of root diameter. When diameter of main root and lateral root were the same in different ages, the total ginsenoside content was higher in the order of 4 > 5 > 6 years old roots. Except for ginsenoside-Rg1, other ginsenosides components (PD/PT and total ginsenosides) had highly negative correlation with the root diameter within whole root, main root, lateral root and fine root, which indicated that ginsenoside content is correlated to root diameter. As results, it is suggested that ginsenoside content can be predicted.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.326-334
• /
• 2019

Background: The objective of our study was to analyze the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside derivatives Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1, and Rg3 against glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal mouse neuron cells. Methods: The neuroprotective effect of ginsenosides were evaluated by measuring cell viability. Protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Bcl2, Bax, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were determined by Western blot analysis. The occurrence of apoptotic and death cells was determined by flow cytometry. Cellular level of $Ca^{2+}$ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by image analysis using the fluorescent probes Fluor-3 and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, respectively. In vivo efficacy of neuroprotection was evaluated using the Mongolian gerbil of ischemic brain injury model. Result: Reduction of cell viability by glutamate (5 mM) was significantly suppressed by treatment with ginsenoside Rb2. Phosphorylation of MAPKs, Bax, and nuclear AIF was gradually increased by treatment with 5 mM of glutamate and decreased by co-treatment with Rb2. The occurrence of apoptotic cells was decreased by treatment with Rb2 ($25.7{\mu}M$). Cellular $Ca^{2+}$ and ROS levels were decreased in the presence of Rb2, and in vivo data indicated that Rb2 treatment (10 mg/kg) significantly diminished the number of degenerated neurons. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Rb2 possesses neuroprotective properties that suppress glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. The molecular mechanism of Rb2 is by suppressing the MAPKs activity and AIF translocation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.381-390
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine whether ginsenoside Rg3 (GRg3) could improve learning and memory impairments and inflammatory reactions induced by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the brains of rats. The effects of GRg3 on proinflammatory mediators in the hippocampus and the underlying mechanisms of these effects were also investigated. Injection of LPS into the lateral ventricle caused chronic inflammation and produced deficits in learning in a memory-impairment animal model. Daily administration of GRg3 (10, 20, and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 consecutive days markedly improved the LPS-induced learning and memory disabilities demonstrated on the step-through passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. GRg3 administration significantly decreased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-1${\beta}$, and cyclooxygenase-2 in the hippocampus, as assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunohistochemistry. Together, these findings suggest that GRg3 significantly attenuated LPS-induced cognitive impairment by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in the rat brain. These results suggest that GRg3 may be effective for preventing or slowing the development of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, by improving cognitive and memory functions due to its anti-inflammatory activity in the brain.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 1984.09a
• /
• pp.169-183
• /
• 1984

인삼의 주된 사포닌으로서 Rg,과 Rb,을 흰쥐에 투여하였을 경우에 이들 물질이 흰쥐의 장기에 흡수 또는 분포되는 상태와 배설에 대하여 연구하였다. 진세노사이드 $Rg_{1}$은 경구 투여량의 약 $1.9{\%}$가 소화관의 상부에서 흡수되었으며, 투여한지 30분 후에 최고 혈중 농도에 이르렀고 조직에서는 1.5시간 걸렸다. 그러나 뇌에서는 확인되지 않았으며 뇨와 당즙에는 2 : 5의 비로 배설되었다. $Rb_{1}$을 100mg/kg 경구투여한 결과, 소화관에서는 거의 흡수가 되지 않았으며, 한편 정맥주사(5mg/kg)의 경우는 혈중 $Rb_{1}$의 농도가 지수적으로 감소하였으며, B-phase의 반감기는 14.5시간이었다. 정맥주사후 혈청과 조직에 장시간 잔존은 활성을 나탄내는 혈청단백과의 결합과 관련이 있는 것으로 사료되며 시간에 따라 뇨로 배설되나 담즙에서는 확인되지 않았다. $Rg_{1}$과 $Rb_{1}$을 경구투여한 후 TLC와 $^{13}C$-NMR을 이용하여 위와 대장에서의 분해 상태를 연구한 결과 위에서 $Rg_{1}$의 일부가 분해, 6종류의 분해 산물이 r-everse phase TLC상에서 관찰되었고 이들 분해 산물은 약산성 (0.1N HCl, $37^{\circ}C$) 조건하에서 $Rg_{1}$의 가수분해산물과 동일하였다. 한편, $Rb_{1}$ 경구투여후 위장에서 얻은 시료중에서 미확인 분해산물이 관찰되었으며, 이 분해산물은 약산성 조건하에서 $Rb_{1}$의 가수분해산물과는 상이하다는 사실을 확인하였다. 대장에서, $Rg_{1}$은 미생물 tetracycline-susceptible bacteria와 tetracycline-resist bacteria에 의해 $Rb_{1}$과 $F_{1}$으로 분해되었으며, $Rb_{1}$은 장내의 효소와 tetracycline-resistantant bacteria에 의해 Rd와 2 종류의 미확인 물질로 분해되었다.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.286-292
• /
• 1986

For the elucidation of saponin synthesis during ontogeny changes of ginsenosides and free sugars in seeds during stratification and seedlings in early growth stage were investigated with high performance liquid chrom-atography. Embryo plus endosperm at 40-day stratification showed 80% decrease of total saponin, disappear-ance of Rc, Rb$_2$ and Rb$_1$ and appearance of Rg$_3$ (probable) and 20-Glc-Rf (probable). Leaf ginsenoside F$_3$ was found not in fruit plup but seed and decreased during stratification. Both decomposition and synthesis of saponin seemed to occure during stratification. Ginsenosides in endosperm and embryo might be originated from fruit pulp by penetration. In seedling saponin appeared first in shoot and in root about one month later. Ginsenoside Rc, Rb$_2$, Rb$_1$ appeared in root at the last investigation (June 30) indicating normal saponin synthetic capacity of root. Saponin synthetic rate was twice in leaf than in root. Leaf ginsenoside F$_3$ was found in seedling root. Root saponin Rg$_3$ and 20-Glc-Rf were found in leaf and stem in seedling and decreased with growth suggesting that rate saponin is not such in certain growth stage. Total saponin content was negatively correlated with PT/PD in seeds and arial parts of seedling due to greater change of PD. than PT. Seed at 70days stratification showed high sucrose content. In seedling glucose was main sugar in stem all the while and sucrose in root at early stage while glucose, fructose and sucrose were found in leaf.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.397-402
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to prepare black Panax ginseng leaf (PGL) and evaluate its antioxidative effect. In order to make black PGL, the raw PGL was successiely steamed at $95^{\circ}C$ for 3 hr nine times. The antioxidant activities of total saponins (Sa) from PGL and black PGL against peroxyl radicals and peroxynitrites were determined by the total oxy-radical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay. Specific TOSC values for black PGL-Sa against peroxyl radicals and peroxynitrites were 2.3-fold and 2.1-fold of PGL-Sa, respectively, and 2.2-fold and 5.2-fold of glutathione, a positive control antioxidant, respectively. The black PGL-Sa exhibited stronger antioxidative effect than PGL-Sa. The main ginsenosides of black PGL were $Rg_3,\;Rk_1\;and\;Rg_5$. Among the saponins in black PGL, the amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was examined by HPLC. 22.12 mg of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was obtained from 1g of dried black PGL.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.106-110
• /
• 2009

In order to reduce the bitter taste and improve the bioavailability of red ginseng extract(RGE), inclusion complexes (RGE-CD) of the extract with ${\alpha}-,\;{\beta}-,\;{\gamma}$-cyclodextrin were prepared and studied for their sensory quality and bioavailability compared to RGE. By complexation, the bitter taste-reducing efficacies of ${\alpha}$-CD and ${\beta}$-CD were much lower than that of ${\gamma}$-CD. In comparative sensory analysis for the bitter taste, RGE-${\gamma}$-CD10, prepared using 10%(w/w) of ${\gamma}$-CD, showed a score of 1.93(decreased by about 78%) compared to RGE as the control. In addition, in sensory analysis for flavor, RGE-${\gamma}$-CD10showed a score of 5.60. Upon increasing the amount of ${\gamma}$-CD to 15%(w/w) and 20%(w/w), respectively, the bitter taste of RGE-${\gamma}$-CD was removed and the flavor of RGE disappeared(scores of 2.67 and 1.67, respectively). Therefore RGE-${\gamma}$-CD10 was chosen as an optimum. The same dosages of RGE and RGE-${\gamma}$-CD10 were orally administered to SD(Sprague-Dawley) rats on a saponin basis, and the plasma concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 were measured over time to estimate the average AUC(area under the plasma concentration versus time curve) of the ginsenosides. After the oral administration, there were no significant differences in the AUC values of the RGE and RGE-${\gamma}$-CD 10 groups for ginsenoside Rg1. However, AUC values for ginsenoside Rb1 were $25.8{\mu}g{\cdot}hr/mL$ in the RGE group and $81.5{\mu}g{\cdot}hr/mL$ in the RGE-${\gamma}$-CD 10 group, respectively. Therefore, the bioavailability of ginsenoside Rb1 in the RGE-${\gamma}$-CD 10 group was significantly higher by up to 315% compared with that in the RGE group(p = 0.0029). These results show that the bitter taste of RGE can be simultaneously removed by the complexation of RGE and ${\gamma}$-CD(RGE-${\gamma}$-CD) along with increased bioavailability.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.197-202
• /
• 1982

Kinetic study for the thermal degradation of ginsenosides in ginseng extract was conducted. The results indicate that the thermal degradation followed first order kinetics and rate constants varied substantially depending on the types of ginsenosides and heat treatment temperatures. Activation energy calculated by Arrhenius plots ranged from 16.80 kcal/mole to 30.10 kcal/mole and $Q_{10}$ values ranged from 2.01 to 3.49. Correlation coefficients between the change of ginsenoside contents by thermal degradation and heat treatment temperature were $0.995{\sim}0.999$. The dependence on temperatures of the decomposition rate constant of total ginsenoside can be expressed as $k=4.574{\times}10^8$ exp(8898.8/T).

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.80-85
• /
• 2005

Ginseng root is an important remedy in oriental countries, which has been used for thousands of years. Saponins of ginseng root has been known to be the major component which mediate diverse pharmacological actions of the ginseng. Heat processing of ginseng root potentiates its biological activity such as anti-tumor and anti-oxidative activities. The butanol fraction of heat-processed ginseng (HGB) induced the production of nitric oxide in macrophages in a dose-dependent manner with IFN-${\gamma}$(30 U/ml) priming. The active component was identified as ginsenoside-$Rg_5$ from the activity-guided purification. Ginsenoside $Rg_5$ is one of major components of heat-processed ginseng and red ginseng that is responsible for the potentiated biological activities of processed ginseng. The induction of NO production by heat-processed ginseng might contribute to the potentiated biological activity of heat-processed ginseng.