• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

Background: A breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and among different types of breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis. Methods: We investigated the potential of ginsenoside compound K (CK), an active ingredient in the bio-transformed ginsenoside, to be used as a therapeutic ingredient by examining the effects of CK on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer-related gene expressions in breast cancer cells. Results: From the results of treating MCF-7, an ER and PR-positive breast cancer cells, and MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) with CK at a concentration of 0-100 µM, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for each cell were 52.17 µM and 29.88 µM, respectively. And also, it was confirmed that cell migration was inhibited above the IC50 concentration. In addition, fluorescence analysis of Apoptosis/Necrosis showed that CK induced apoptosis rather than necrosis of breast cancer cells. Through qPCR, it was confirmed that the expression of genes related to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest was increased in CK-treated breast cancer cells, and it acted more effectively on TNBC. However, the expression of genes related to tumor invasion and metastasis is also increased, so it is necessary to consider the timing of application of CK as a potential therapeutic anticancer compound. Conclusions: CK showed a stronger inhibitory effect in TNBC with poor prognosis but considering the high tumor invasion and metastasis-related gene expression, the timing of application of CK should be considered.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권10호
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• pp.1661-1667
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• 2016

The ginsenoside-hydrolyzing β-glucosidase gene (bgy2) was cloned from Lactobacillus brevis. We expressed this gene in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), isolated the resulting protein, and then utilized the enzyme for the biotransformation of ginsenosides. The bgy2 gene contains 2,223 bp, and encodes a protein of 741 amino acids that is a member of glycosyl hydrolase family 3. β-Glucosidase (Bgy2) cleaved the outer glucose moieties of ginsenosides at the C-20 position, and the inner glucose at the C-3 position. Under optimal conditions (pH 7.0, 30℃), we used 0.1 mg/ml Bgy2 in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (PBS) for enzymatic studies. In these conditions, 1.0 mg/ml ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside F2 were converted into 0.59 mg/ml ginsenoside Rd and 0.72mg/ml compound K, with molar conversion productivities of 69% and 91%, respectively. In pharmaceutical and commercial industries, this recombinant Bgy2 would be suitable for producting ginsenoside Rd and compound K.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제35권3호
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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.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2002년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2
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• pp.334.3-334.3
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• 2002

Ginseng(the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Araliaceae) has been used for thousands of years as a traditional medicine in Asian countries. The main components of Ginseng are ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2 and Rc. These compounds are transformed by intestinal microflora. The main metabolite of ginsenosides was compoud K (IH-901). The transformed compound K shows an antimetastic or anticarcinogenic effect by blocking tumor invasion or preventing chromosomal aberration and tumorigenesis. Therefore. we isolated and characterzed ginseng saponin-metabolizing bacteria from human intestinal microffora. Among 200 tested intestinal bacteria. we found 78 bacteris to transform glnseng senseng saponins to compound K. These bacteria were seperated into three group: the first group highy produced ginsenside Rd (29) the second grop produced potently ginsenoside F2 (21) and the third produced compound K(28)

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.412-418
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• 2018

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3(S) and compound K (C-K) are pharmacologically active components of ginseng that promote human health and improve quality of life. The aim of this study was to produce Rg3(S) and C-K from ginseng extract using recombinant Lactococcus lactis. Methods: L. lactis subsp. cremoris NZ9000 (L. lactis NZ9000), which harbors ${\beta}$-glucosidase genes (BglPm and BglBX10) from Paenibacillus mucilaginosus and Flavobacterium johnsoniae, respectively, was reacted with ginseng extract (protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside mixture). Results: Crude enzyme activity of BglBX10 values comprised 0.001 unit/mL and 0.003 unit/mL in uninduced and induced preparations, respectively. When whole cells of L. lactis harboring pNZBglBX10 were treated with ginseng extract, after permeabilization of cells by xylene, Rb1 and Rd were converted into Rg3(S) with a conversion yield of 61%. C-K was also produced by sequential reactions of the permeabilized cells harboring each pNZBgl and pNZBglBX10, resulting in a 70% maximum conversion yield. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the lactic acid bacteria having specific ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity can be used to enhance the health benefits of Panax ginseng in either fermented foods or bioconversion processes.

• 디지털융복합연구
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• 제15권11호
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• pp.285-295
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• 2017

본 연구에서는 증폭시킨 홍삼으로부터 분리한 ginsenoside Rh2(Rh2)와 compound K(CK)의 융복합적 항염증 및 항암효과를 연구하여 홍삼 내 유용한 기능성분에 대한 기초 자료를 제공하고자 한다. 이에 Hep3B에서의 세포독성과 IL-6 유도 STAT3 루시퍼라아제 활성, B16F10과 Hacat 세포의 생존 농도를 측정하였고 Apoptosis와 관련된 분자의 발현양상을 확인하기 위해 FAC (fluorescence activated cell sorting) 분석을 수행하였다. 실험결과 Rh2, CK mixture가 10 ug/ml일 때 Hep3B 세포에서 세포독성이 없고 IL-6 감소율이 102%로 항염증 효과가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 Rh2, CK mixture 50 uM에서 melanoma 세포인 B16F10과 human keratinocyte인 Hacat에서 독성을 보여 사멸하는 것을 관찰하였다. FACS 분석 결과 annexin V가 발현되지 않고 흑색종 세포와 keratinocyte가 탈착되면서 사멸되는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 현상을 통하여 사멸되는 메카니즘이 anoikis 방식의 세포사멸로 인한 것으로 추정할 수 있으며 그것에 대한 명확한 세포사 신호 체계 규명을 위하여 향후 세포부착 단백질의 변화에 대한 연구가 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.664-671
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside compound-Mc1 (Mc1) is a member of the deglycosylated ginsenosides obtained from ginseng extract. Although several ginsenosides have a cardioprotective effect, this has not been demonstrated in ginsenoside Mc1. Methods: We treated H9c2 cells with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ginsenoside Mc1 to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Mc1. The levels of antioxidant molecules, catalase, and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were measured, and cell viability was determined using the Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax):B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio, a cytotoxicity assay, and flow cytometry. We generated mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity using ginsenoside Mc1 and assessed their heart tissues to evaluate the antioxidant effect and the fibrosis-reducing capability of ginsenoside Mc1. Results: Ginsenoside Mc1 significantly increased the level of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the H9c2 cells. The expression levels of catalase and SOD2 increased significantly after treatment with ginsenoside Mc1, resulting in a decrease in the production of H₂O₂-mediated reactive oxygen species. Treatment with ginsenoside Mc1 also significantly reduced the H₂O₂-mediated elevation of the Bax:Bcl2 ratio and the number of DNA-damaged cells, which was significantly attenuated by treatment with an AMPK inhibitor. Consistent with the in vitro data, ginsenoside Mc1 upregulated the levels of catalase and SOD2 and decreased the Bax:B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio and caspase-3 activity in the heart tissues of HFD-induced obese mice, resulting in reduced collagen deposition. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Mc1 decreases oxidative stress and increases cell viability in H9c2 cells and the heart tissue isolated from HFD-fed mice via an AMPK-dependent mechanism, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related cardiac diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.69-73
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• 2007

Since chemical structures of ginsenoside as active ingredient of Panax ginseng are known, accumulating evidence have shown that ginsenoside is one of bio-active ligands through the diverse physiological and pharmacological evaluations. Chemical structures of ginsenoside could be divided into three parts depending on diol or triol ginsenoside: Steroid- or cholesterol-like backbone structure, carbohydrate portions, which are attached at the carbon-3, -6 or -20, and aliphatic side chain coupled to the backbone structure at the carbon-20. Ginsenosides also exist as stereoisomer at the carbon-20. Bioactive ligands usually exhibit the their structure-function relationships. In ginsenosides, there is little known about the relationship of chemical structure and biological activity. Recent reports have shown that ginsenoside $Rg_3$, one of active ginsenosides, exhibits its differential physiological or pharmacological actions depending on its chemical structure. This review will show how ginsenoside $Rg_3$, as a model compound, is functionally coupled to voltage-gated ion channel or ligand-gated ion channel regulations in related with its chemical structure.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.95-104
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• 2019

Background: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) causes vascular endothelial cell inflammatory response and apoptosis and plays an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a metabolite produced by the hydrolysis of ginsenoside Rb1, possesses strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, whether or not CK protects ox-LDL-damaged endothelial cells and the potential mechanisms have not been elucidated. Methods: In our study, cell viability was tested using a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl-)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Expression levels of interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. Mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) was detected using JC-1. The cell apoptotic percentage was measured by the Annexin V/ propidium iodide (PI) assay, lactate dehydrogenase, and caspase-3 expression. Apoptosis-related proteins, nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways protein expression were quantified by Western blotting. Results: Our results demonstrated that CK could ameliorate ox-LDL-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) inflammation and apoptosis, $NF-{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation, and the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, anisomycin, an activator of p38 and JNK, significantly abolished the anti-apoptotic effects of CK. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that CK prevents ox-LDL-induced HUVECs inflammation and apoptosis through inhibiting the $NF-{\kappa}B$, p38, and JNK MAPK signaling pathways. Thus, CK is a candidate drug for atherosclerosis treatment.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.255-265
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• 2010

The extent of growth L. plantarum (LP), L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (LD), L. fermentum (LF), S. thermophilus (ST), B. longum (BI) and S. cerevisiae (SA) was generally good with the lower concentration of the ginseng extract. Total sapogenin content was slightly different with kinds of a fermentation microorganism and the time of fermentation process, and generally reduced compare to before fermentation. The content of ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Re and Rf were decreased with the fermentation but ginsenoside Rd was increased by the E, LF and SA fermented extract. The content of compound K increased in the order of not-fermented extrac < enzyme fermented extract < enzyme and microorganism fermented extract, and as the fermented time get longer, the content of compound K was sightly increased. Especially, the content of compound K of the SA fermented extract was the most increased, also it of the BI, LD and LF fermented extract was increased, so these extract were considered a high valuable. Polyphenol content of the BI, LD, LP and ST fermented extract indicated $9.18{\pm}0.39{\sim}15.68{\pm}0.54$ mg/10 g which was lower than it of a not-fermented extract ($11.92{\pm}0.26{\sim}28.41{\pm}0.39$ mg/10 g). Flavonoid content of a ginseng fermented extract indicated $26.93{\pm}0.17{\sim}156.45{\pm}1.29$ mg/10 g, it was higher than a not-fermented extract ($18.06{\pm}0.90$ mg/10 g). As the fermented time get longer, the flavonoid content tendency to increase. DPPH radical scavenging activity of a fermented ginseng extract was $24.11{\pm}1.41{\sim}55.62{\pm}0.33%$, it was slightly lower compared to a natural antioxidant, vitamin C. But it of the LF and ST fermented extract was similar to a natural antioxidant, vitamin C. It has not a concerned in a fermentation. Nitrite scavenging ability of a 24 hr fermented extract was above 80% at pH 2.5 and 4.2, it was similar to an artificial antioxidant, BHT ($84.76{\pm}0.13%$; pH2.5, $84.98{\pm}0.11%$; pH 4.2). It has not a concerned in a fermentation. SOD-like activity of a fermented extract was lower than that of a not-fermented extract ($19.22{\pm}0.51%$), but it of the E and LP-fermented extract was a very highly notable value. As the fermented time get longer, the SOD-like activity tendency to increase.