• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.132-140
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• 1997

The effects of ginsenosides purified from red ginseng on platelet aggregation were investigated. Preincubation of washed platelets from rats with either ginsenoside Rg3, ginsenosides non-polar fraction (G-NPF), ginsenoside Rg1(Rg1) or ginsenosides polar fraction(G-PF) reduced the plytelet aggrelation induced by collagen in a dose-dependent manner, whereas ginsenoside Rg2 failed to inhibit the aggregation. Their IC50 values of Rg3, G-NPF, Rgl, and G-PF were 8.7$\pm$1.0, 150.3$\pm$0.1, 369.9$\pm$ 1.0, 606.211.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. Aggrelation induced by thrombin was also inhibited by Rg3 and G-NPF with IC50 being 5.2$\pm$ 1.1 and 66.5$\pm$0.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. The alterations of Intracellular Ca2+ concentration in platelets were monitored using fura-2 as a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Both Ca2+ release from internal stores and Ca2+ influx into cytosol were suppressed by Rg3. Rg3 also inhibited granular release of ATP and TXA2 formation induced by thrombin in a dose-dependent manner in the washed platelets. Rg3 also inhibited Aggregation and ATP release from human platelets induced by collagen to a similar extent as were observed in rat platelets. In conclusion, Rg3 is a Potent anti-aggregating component in ginsenosides and may exert its anti-aggrega1ing activity by decreasing TXAa formation and granular secretion in platelets, most likely by inhibiting Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. Thus ginseng may contribute to the prevention and treatment of thrombosis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to develop a new preparation process of ginseng extracts having high concentrations of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$ and $Rk_1$, a special component of Red ginseng. Chemical transformation from ginseng saponin glycosides to prosapogenin was analyzed by the HPLC. Extracts of White ginseng (Panax ginseng) and Fine White ginseng were processed under several treatment conditions including microwave and vinegar (about 14% acidity) treatments. Results of those treatments showed that the quantity of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ increased by over 0.6% at 4 minutes of pH 2~4 vinegar and microwave treatments. The results of processing with MWG-4 indicate that the Microwave and vinegar processed white ginseng extracts (about 14% acidity) that had gone through 4-minute treatments were found to contain the largest amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (0.626%), $Rg_5$ (0.514%) and $Rk_1$ (0.220%). Results of treatments with MFWG-5 showed that the Fine White ginseng extracts that had been processed with microwave and vinegar (about 14% acidity) for 5 minutes were found to contain the largest amount of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (4.484%), $Rg_5$ (3.192%) and $Rk_1$ (1.684%). It is thought that such results provide basic information in preparing White ginseng and Fine White ginseng extracts with functionality enhanced.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1557-1561
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• 2008

Red ginseng possibly has new ingredients converted during steaming and dry process from fresh ginseng. Kujeungkupo method which means 9 repetitive steamings and dryings process was used for the production of red ginseng from 6-year old ginseng roots. Saponin was extracted from each red ginseng produced at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th during the steaming and drying treatment, and we analyzed saponin content with TLC. Minor saponins, such as ginsenoside-Rg3, -Rh2, compound K, and F2, increased as the process time of steaming and drying, but major saponins (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, -Rf, -Rg1) were decreased. Major saponins were yet observed almost at the 1st process, then degraded as the increasing time of steaming and drying process. Especially, ginsenoside-Re and -Rg were observed as considerable amount after the 1st treatment, but there were no trace of them after the 9th treatment. Ginsenoside-Rg1, -Rb2, and -Rb1 were also reduced remarkedly by 96.6%, 96%, and 92.3%, respectively. Minor saponins were increased significantly, especially for ginsenoside-Rg3 and ginsenoside-F2. These results suggest that Kujeungkupo method is the very useful method for the production of minor ginsenoside-Rg3 and -Rh2.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2003

Alternative medicines such as herbal products are increasingly being used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. In spite of some beneficial effects of ginseng on the nervous system, little scientific evidence shows at the cellular level. In the present study, I have examined the direct modulation of ginseng total saponins and individual ginsenosides on the activation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA-gated channels in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hippocampal neurons, respectively. In DRG neurons, application of ginseng total saponins suppressed high-voltage-activated $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents and ginsenoside Rg$_3$, among the 11 ginsenosides tested, produced the strongest inhibition on $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents. Occlusion experiments using selective $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers revealed that ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could modulate L-, N-, and P/Q-type currents. In addition, ginsenoside Rg$_3$ also proved to be an active component of ginseng actions on NMDA receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. Application of ginsenoside Rg$_3$ suppressed NMDA-induced [Ca$^{2+}$]$_{i}$ increase and -gated channels using fura-2-based digital imaging and patch-clamp techniques, respectively. These results suggest that the modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA receptors by ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could be part of the pharmacological basis of ginseng actions in the peripheral and central nervous systems.ous systems.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.490-495
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rk1, a saponin component isolated from heat-processed Panax ginseng Meyer, has been implicated in the regulation of antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Although our previous studies have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 significantly attenuated the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in hippocampal neurons, the effects of ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1, which are derived from heat-mediated dehydration of ginsenoside Rg3, on neuronal NMDARs have not yet been elucidated. Methods: We examined the regulation of NMDARs by ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons using fura-2-based calcium imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Results: The results from our investigation showed that ginsenosides Rg3 and Rg5 inhibited NMDARs with similar potencies. However, ginsenoside Rk1 inhibited NMDARs most effectively among the five compounds (Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rg5/Rk1 mixture, and protopanaxadiol) tested in cultured hippocampal neurons. Its inhibition is independent of the NMDA- and glycine-binding sites, and its action seems to involve in an interaction with the polyamine-binding site of the NMDAR channel complex. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that ginsenoside Rk1 might be a novel component contributable to the development of ginseng-based therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.124-134
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• 2013

The authentication of the physico-chemical properties of ginsenosides reference materials as well as qualitative and quantitative batch analytical data based on validated analytical procedures is a prerequisite for certifying good manufacturing practice (GMP). Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, representing protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol ginsenosides, respectively, are accepted as marker substances in quality control standards worldwide. However, the current analytical methods for these two compounds recommended by Korean, Chinese, European, and Japanese pharmacopoeia do not apply to red ginseng preparations, particularly the extract, because of the relatively low content of the two agents in red ginseng compared to white ginseng. In manufacturing fresh ginseng into red ginseng products, ginseng roots are exposed to a high temperature for many hours, and the naturally occurring ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 are converted to artifact ginsenosides such as Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, and Rh2 during the heating process. The analysis of ginsenosides in commercially available ginseng products in Korea led us to propose the inclusion of the (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3, including ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, as additional reference materials for ginseng preparations. (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 were isolated by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography, silica gel flash chromatography, recrystallization, and preparative HPLC. HPLC fractions corresponding to those two ginsenosides were recrystallized in appropriate solvents for the analysis of physico-chemical properties. Documentation of those isolated ginsenosides was achieved according to the method proposed by Gaedcke and Steinhoff. The ginsenosides were subjected to analyses of their general characteristics, identification, purity, content quantification, and mass balance tests. The isolated ginsenosides showed 100% purity when determined by the three HPLC systems. Also, the water content was found to be 0.534% for (20S)-Rg3 and 0.920% for (20R)-Rg3, meaning that the net mass balances for (20S)-Rg3 and (20R)-Rg3 were 99.466% and 99.080%, respectively. From these results, we could assess and propose a full spectrum of physico-chemical properties of (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 as standard reference materials for GMP-based quality control.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.447-457
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• 2022

Notoginsenoside R1 and ginsenoside Rg1 are the main active ingredients of Panax notoginseng, exhibiting anti-fatigue, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and other activities. In a previous study, a GH39 β-xylosidase Xln-DT was responsible for the bioconversion of saponin, a natural active substance with a xylose group, with high selectivity for cleaving the outer xylose moiety of notoginsenoside R1 at the C-6 position, producing ginsenoside Rg1 with potent anti-fatigue activity. The optimal bioconversion temperature, pH, and enzyme dosage were obtained by optimizing the transformation conditions. Under optimal conditions (pH 6.0, 75℃, enzyme dosage 1.0 U/ml), 1.0 g/l of notoginsenoside R1 was converted into 0.86 g/l of ginsenoside Rg1 within 30 min, with a molar conversion rate of approximately 100%. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-fatigue activity of notoginsenoside R1 and ginsenoside Rg1 were compared using a suitable rat model. Compared with the control group, the forced swimming time to exhaustion was prolonged in mice by 17.3% in the Rg1 high group (20 mg/kg·d). Additionally, the levels of hepatic glycogen (69.9-83.3% increase) and muscle glycogen (36.9-93.6% increase) were increased. In the Rg1 group, hemoglobin levels were also distinctly increased by treatment concentrations. Our findings indicate that treatment with ginsenoside Rg1 enhances the anti-fatigue effects. In this study, we reveal a GH39 β-xylosidase displaying excellent hydrolytic activity to produce ginsenoside Rg1 in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2010

Red ginseng tail roots (9.8 g water/100 g sample) were puffed at 7, 8, 9, and 10 $kg_{f}/cm^{2}$ using a rotational puffing gun. Puffed red ginseng was extracted with 70% ethanol, and the concentrated extract was successively partitioned with diethyl ether, n-butanol and $H_{2}O$. Two unknown ginsenosides from puffed red ginseng were found at 63 and 65 min of retention time in HPLC chromatogram suggesting that chemical structure of some ginsenosides might be altered during the puffing process. Identification of two unknown compounds was carried out using TLC, HPLC and NMR. Two major compounds were isolated from TLC. According to TLC result, compound I was expected to be the mixture of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5, and compound II was expected to be a 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_{3}$. Three compounds were isolated from n-butanol fraction through repeated silica gel and octadecyl silica gel column chromatographies. From the result of $^{1}H$- and $^{13}C$-NMR data, the chemical structures of unknown compounds were determined as ginsenoside $Rg_{5}$ and 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_{3}$. Unfortunately, ginsenoside $Rk_{1}$ could not be separated from ginsenoside-$Rg_{5}$ in the compound I. It was carefully reexamined using HPLC and confirmed that the last unknown compound was ginsenoside-$Rk_{1}$.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 2015

This mass balance study about ginsenoside Rg1 and Re in Red ginseng processed from Fresh ginseng is useful to understand that herbal material sources of ginseng and raw material consumption in Red ginseng preparations. In our results, total molar amounts of ginsenoside Rg1, Re and their converts in Fresh ginseng, Red ginseng, and Red ginseng extract are substantially the same. The molar amounts of ginsenoside Rg1, Re (4.324, 2.880 μmol/g) as starting materials in Fresh ginseng are kept constant as total molar amounts (sum of starting and converts) in Red ginseng (4.264, 2.596 μmol/g) and Red ginseng extract (3.389, 3.129 μmol/g). This result means that protopanaxtriol type ginsenosides and their characteristic converts are not destroyed or inflowing in Red ginseng process. Therefore, it is important for quality assurance of Red ginseng preparations that the ratio between ginsenosides Rg1, Re and these converts is kept constant.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng has been shown to possess a variety of biological activities. However, little is known about antiviral activity of ginsenosides of Korean red ginseng. Here, we investigated the protective effect by oral administration of various ginsenosides on the lethal infection of haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) in mice. In a lethal infection model in which almost all mice infected with HVJ died within 15 days, the mice were administered orally (per os) with 1 mg/mouse of dammarane-type (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rd, -Re, and -Rg2) or oleanolic acid-type (ginsenoside-Ro) ginsenosides 3, 2, and 1 d before virus infection. Ginsenoside-Rb2 showed the highest protective activity, although other dammarane-type and oleanolic acid-type ginsenosides also induced a significant protection against HVJ. However, neither the consecutive administration with a lower dosage (300 ${\mu}g$/mouse) nor the single administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 (1 mg/mouse) was active. In comparison of the protective activity between ginsenoside-Rb2 and its two hydrolytic products [20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3], 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, but not 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3, elicited a partial protection against HVJ. The protective effect of ginsenoside-Rb2 and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 on HVJ infection was confirmed by the reduction of virus titers in the lungs of HVJ-infected mice. These results suggest that ginsenoside-Rb2 is the most effective among ginsenosides from red ginseng to prevent the lethal infection of HVJ, so that this ginsenoside is a promising candidate as a mucosal immunoadjuvant to enhance antiviral activity.