• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2017

The fermentation of Panax ginseng can yield many compounds from ginsenosides that have a wide variety of biological functions. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains are capable of converting ginsenosides. The purposes of this study were to: (1) characterize Enterococcus faecium SA5, an isolated LAB from Mongolian mare milk, (2) identify the existence of extracellular ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity in the milk, and (3) ascertain if the ${\beta}$-glucosidase has the capacity of converting ginsenoside in Korean ginseng. The results revealed that E. faecium SA5 was acid-resistant, bile salt-resistant, and has antibiotic activities against 4 pathogenic microorganisms (Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 3216, Listeria monocytogenes KCTC 3710, Bacillus cereus KCTC 1012, Staphylococcus aureus KCTC 1621). In addition, E. faecium SA5 had tolerance against some antibiotics such as colistin, gentamycin and neomycin. It was also found that E. faecium SA5 possessed bile salt hydrolase activity, which could lower blood cholesterol level. When incubated in 10% (w/v) skim milk as a yogurt starter, E. faecium SA5 caused to decrease pH of the medium as well as increase in viable cell counts. Using TLC and HPLC analysis on the samples incubated in MRS broth, our study confirmed that E. faecium SA5 can produce ${\beta}$-glucosidase, which was capable of converting ginsenoside $Rb_1$ into new ginsenosides $Rg_3-s$ and $Rg_3-r$. It was concluded that E. faecium SA5 possessed a potential of probiotic activity, which could be applied to yogurt manufacture as well as ginsenoside conversion in ginseng.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2019

Seasonal ginsenoside flux in the leaves of 5-year-old Panax ginseng was analyzed from the field-grown ginseng, for the first time, to study possible biosynthesis and translocation of ginsenosides. The concentrations of nine major ginsenosides, Rg1, Re, Rh1, Rg2, R-Rh1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd, were determined by UHPLC during the growth in between April and November. It was confirmed total ginsenoside content in the dried ginseng leaves was much higher than the roots by several folds whereas the composition of ginsenosides was different from the roots. The ginsenoside flux was affected by ginseng growth. It quickly increased to 10.99±0.15 (dry wt%) in April and dropped to 6.41±0.14% in May. Then, it slowly increased to 9.71±0.14% in August and maintained until October. Ginsenoside Re was most abundant in the leaf of P. ginseng, followed by Rd and Rg1. Ginsenosides Rf and Ro were not detected from the leaf. When compared to the previously reported root data, ginsenosides in the leaf appeared to be translocated to the root, especially in the early vegetative stage even though the metabolite translocated cannot be specified. The flux of ginsenoside R-Rh1 was similar to the other (20S)-PPT ginsenosides. When the compositional changes of each ginsenoside in the leaf was analyzed, complementary relationship was observed from ginsenoside Rg1 and Re, as well as from ginsenoside Rd and Rb1+Rc. Accordingly, ginsenoside Re in the leaf was proposed to be synthesized from ginsenoside Rg1. Similarly, ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc were proposed to be synthesized from Rd.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to develop a new ginseng (Panax ginseng) flower buds extract with the high concentration of ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rh1 and F4, the Red ginseng special component. Chemical transformation from the ginseng saponin glycosides to the prosapogenin was analyzed by the HPLC. The ginseng flower buds were processed at the several treatment conditions of the ultrasonication (Oscillator 600W, Vibrator 600W) and vinegar (about 14% acidity). The result of UVGFB-480 was the butanol fraction of ginseng flower buds that had been processed with ultrasonication and vinegar for 480 minutes gained the highest amount of ginsenoside Rg5 (3.548%), Rh1 (2.037%), Rk1 (1.821%), Rg3 (1.580%) and F4 (1.535%). The ginsenoside Rg5 of UVGFB-480 was found to contain 14.3 times as high as ginseng flower buds extracts (GFB, 0.249%).

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2009

The usage and types of chemicals are advancing, specializing, large-scaled increasing, and new chemical exposed workers are concerning to occupational disease. The generation of reactive oxygen in the body from carcinogen, mutation and DNA damage in cancer is protected by natural antioxidants (phytochemicals) with antimutagenic effect. There were many reports of ginsenoside Rb$_1$, Rg$_1$ grievances of the genetic mutation to suppress the effect confirm the genetic toxicity test with chromosomal aberration test and the Comet (SCGE) assay confirmed the suppression effect occurring chromosomal DNA damage. We had wanted to evaluate the compatibility and sensitivity between the chromosomal aberration (CA) test and the Comet assay. We used the CA test and Comet assay to evaluate the anti-genotoxicity of ginsenoside Rb$_1$ and Rg$_1$, in CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster ovary fibroblast) cell in vitro, composed negative control (solvent), positive control (benzo[a]pyrene), test group (carcinogen+variety concentration of ginsenoside) group. The positive control was benzo[a]pyrene (50 $\mu$M), well-known carcinogen, and the negative control was the 1 % DMSO solvent. The test group was a variety concentration of ginsenoside Rb$_1$, Rg$_1$ with 10$^{-8}$%, 10$^{-6}$%, 10$^{-4}$%, 10$^{-2}$%, 1%, 10%. In chromo-somal aberration test, we measured the number of cells with abnormally structured chromosome. In Comet assay, the Olive tail moment (OTM) and Tail length (TL) values were measured. The ratio of cell proliferation was increased 8.3% in 10$^{-8}$%, 10$^{-6}$%, 10$^{-4}$%, 10$^{-2}$%, 1%, 10% Rb$_1$ treated groups, and increased 10.4% in 10$^{-10}$%, 10$^{-8}$%, 10$^{-6}$%, 10$^{-4}$%, 10$^{-2}$%, 1% Rg$_1$ treated groups. In the CA test, the number of chromosomal aberration was decreased all the Rb$_1$ and Rg$_1$ treated groups. In the Comet assay, the OTM values were decreased in all the Rb$_1$ and Rg$_1$ treated groups. To evaluate the compatibility between CA and Comet assay, we compared the reducing ratio of chromosomal abnormalities with its OTM values, it was identified the antimutagenicity of ginsenoside, but it was more sensitive the CA test than the Comet assay. Ginsenoside Rb$_1$ and Rg$_1$ significantly decrease the number of cells with chromosomal aberration, and decrease the extent of DNA migration. Therefore, ginsenoside Rb$_1$, Rg$_1$ are thought as an antioxidant phytochemicals to protect mutagenicity. The in vitro Comet assay seems to be less sensitive than the in vitro chromosomal aberration test.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop a new preparation process of ginseng extract with the high concentration of prosapogenin, the specific component in Red ginseng. Chemical transformation from the ginseng saponin glycosides to the prosapogenin was analyzed by the HPLC. The extracts of ginseng leaf and stem were processed at the several treatment conditions of the microwave and vinegar(about 14% acidity). MGLS-20 findings show that the ginseng leaf and stem extracts that had been processed with microwave and vinegar for 20 minutes peaked in the level of ginsenoside $Rg_3$(0.906%). MGLS-25 peaked in the level of ginsenoside $Rg_5$(0.329%) in the ginseng leaf and stem extract processed with microwave and vinegar for 25 minute. And the other kinds of ginseng prosapogenin did not show a higher content.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.717-724
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• 2020

Background: Malignant arrhythmias require drug therapy. However, most of the currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have significant side effects. Ginsenoside Rg2 exhibits excellent cardioprotective effects and appears to be a promising candidate for cardiovascular drug development. So far, the oral toxicity and antiarrhythmic effects of Rg2 have not been evaluated. Methods: Acute oral toxicity of Rg2 was assessed by the Limit Test method in mice. Subchronic oral toxicity was determined by repeated dose 28-day toxicity study in rats. Antiarrhythmic activities of Rg2 were evaluated in calcium chloride-induced arrhythmic rats. Antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 was investigated in arrhythmic rats and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results: The results of toxicity studies indicated that Rg2 exhibited no single-dose (10 g/kg) acute oral toxicity. And 28-day repeated dose treatment with Rg2 (1.75, 3.5 and 5 g/kg/d) demonstrated minimal, if any, subchronic toxicity. Serum biochemical examination showed that total cholesterol in the high-dose cohort was dramatically decreased, whereas prothrombin time was increased at Day 28, suggesting that Rg2 might regulate lipid metabolism and have a potential anticoagulant effect. Moreover, pretreatment with Rg2 showed antiarrhythmic effects on the rat model of calcium chloride induced arrhythmia, in terms of the reduced duration time, mortality, and incidence of malignant arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 might be the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels by suppressing the phosphorylation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Conclusion: Our findings support the development of Rg2 as a promising antiarrhythmic drug with fewer side effects for clinical use.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2014

Background: Research has been conducted with regard to the development of methods for improving the pharmaceutical effect of ginseng by conversion of ginsenosides, which are the major active components of ginseng, via high temperature or high-pressure processing. Methods: The present study sought to investigate the anticancer effect of heat-processed American ginseng (HAG) in human gastric cancer AGS cells with a focus on assessing the role of apoptosis as an important mechanistic element in its anticancer actions. Results and Conclusion: HAG significantly reduced the cancer cell proliferation, and the contents of ginsenosides Rb1 and Re were markedly decreased, whereas the peaks of less-polar ginsenosides [20(S,R)-Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5] were newly detected. Based on the activity-guided fractionation of HAG, ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 played a key role in inducing apoptosis in human gastric cancer AGS cells, and it was generated mainly from ginsenoside Rb1. Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 induced apoptosis through activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, as well as regulation of Bcl-2 and Bax expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that heat-processing serves as an increase in the antitumor activity of American ginseng in AGS cells, and ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3, the active component produced by heat-processing, induces the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, which contributes to the apoptotic cell death.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.11 no.3_4 s.43
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• pp.133-140
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• 1980

In order to develop the radio-immunoassay procedure for the ginsenoside $Rg_1$ we prepared the $Rg_1-BSA$ conjugate and $Rg_1-tyramine$ conjugate by condensing the $Rg_1-azide$, which was prepared by a series of six step chemical modification of the $Rg_1-side$ chain, with bovine serum albumin(BSA) or with tyramine. Rabbits were immunized by repeated injection of $Rg_1-BSA$ conjugate with Freund's Complete Adjuvant for 5 month long to obtain very potent $anti-Rg_1$ serum. The radio-labelled haptene was prepared by direct radio-iodination $(125_J)$ of $Rg_1-tyramine$ according to the chloramine-T method. The radio-immunoassay procedure was successfully furnished by using DCC method (dextran coated charcoal) and the anti-body titer of the anti-serum was found as being $1600{\sim}3200$ by using 15000cpm tracer per test. Calibration test using non-labelled $Rg_1$ showed linear competetive binding response in the $(8-300){\times}34pg$. range of non-labelled $Rg_1$. The cross reaction test using 19 ginsenoside analogues enabled us a full structure-activity analysis on the antigen-antibody reaction that the anti-body in the serum would recognize the full structure of ginsenoside $Rg_1$ except the side chain moiety.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2008

Column chromatographic separation of 70% EtOH extract of the roots of Korean cultivated-wild ginseng led to the isolation of ten ginsenosides (1 - 10). The isolated compounds were identified as ginsenoside $Rg_1$ (1), ginsenoside Re (2), ginsenoside Rc (3), ginsenoside $Rb_1$ (4), ginsenoside $Rb_2$ (5), ginsenoside Rd (6), ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (7), ginsenoside $F_2$ (8), ginsenoside $Rb_3$ (9), and ginsenoside $Rd_2$ (10) by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The compounds (1 - 10) were for the first time isolated from the roots of Korean cultivated-wild ginseng.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1984.09a
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• pp.159-168
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• 1984

생약의 화학적 특성에 대한 계속적인 연구가 이루어짐에 따라 우리는 홍삼 및 백삼의 화학성분을 상대적으로 규명하였다. 홍삼은 극성이 약한 분획에서 5개의 새로운 배당체(20R-ginsenoside $Rg_{2},\;Rh_{1};20R$, 20S-ginsenoside $Rg_{3}; ginsenoside\;Rh_{2}$와 새로운 아세칠렌 화합물(Panaxytriol)을 함유하는 특징적인 성분들이 gins - enoside Rh1, Rg2와 함께 분리되었다. ginsenoside Rh2는 배양된 종양세포에 대해 세포독소 효과를 보여주었다. 백삼은 수용성 분획에서 특징적인 성분이 있는 것으로 밝혀졌으며, 여기에서 malonly-ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc 및 Rd로 명명된 새로운 배당체 성분이 분리되었다. Malona-ginsenosides는 백삼에서는 주요한 배당체이지만, 홍삼에서는 검출되지 않았다.