• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 1991

This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of light intensity using polyethylene (p.E) net shading on the specific gravity, red ginseng quality, sugar and saponin contents of ginseng root. The specific gravity significantly increased in the ginseng roots grown under the P.E net shading as compared with that of common straw shading. The red ginseng quality under the P.E net shading was improved in order of 10, 5, 15, 20, 30% of light intensity and the inside cavity and inside white part decreased remarkably as compared with those of common straw shading. The ginseng roots grown under the P.E net shading at 10% and 15% light intensity showed a significant increase in the total sugar content but a significant decrease in the reducing sugar content at 15% light intensity as compared with those of common straw shading. The amount of total saponin of ginseng roots was increased under the P.E net shading at high light intensity as compared with that of common straw shading and the ginseng roots grown under the P.E net shading at 10% light intensity showed an increase in the diol group saponin but the ratio of PT/PD was decreased. Extract contents of ginseng root under the P.E net shading was higher than those of common straw shading and the roots grown under the P.E net shading at 15% and 20% light intensity resulted in a remarkable increase in extract contents.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.329-335
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• 2006

The present study was designed to investigate aging-related effects on the activities of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes of rat liver by dietary supplementation of Korean red ginseng water-extract. Rat did not show any discernible signs of the rejection symptoms, and blood GOT and GPT levels were not influenced by ginseng water extracts, Cytochrome 450 levels and NADPH cytochrome P45O reductase, p-450 dependent ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, and benzphetamine N-demethylase activities were decreased with aging, however, these phase I system enzymes activities in the ginseng group of24 months were well maintained compared with normal group. But, Levels of cytochrome bs and NADH-cytochrome b$_5$ reductase activities were also decreased with aging and were not found a clear difference between two groups. Glutathione-s-transferase activity, phase II enzyme system, in liver cytosols was also decreased in old ages, but the degree of decrease was higher in normal group than in giuseng supplemented group. These results indicate that long-term supplementation of red ginseng water extracts from weaning to 24 months do not show any side effects to rats, and retard age-related deteriorations of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes activities in old ages.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2015

Background: The present study was designed to prepare and find the optimum active preparation or fraction from Korea Red Ginseng inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression, because MMP-13 is a pivotal enzyme to degrade the collagen matrix of the joint cartilage. Methods: From total red ginseng ethanol extract, n-BuOH fraction (total ginsenoside-enriched fraction), ginsenoside diol-type-enriched fraction (GDF), and ginsenoside triol-type-enriched fraction (GTF) were prepared, and ginsenoside diol type-/F4-enriched fraction (GDF/F4) was obtained from Panax ginseng leaf extract. Results: The n-BuOH fraction, GDF, and GDF/F4 clearly inhibited MMP-13 expression compared to interleukin-$1{\beta}$-treated SW1353 cells (human chondrosarcoma), whereas the total extract and ginsenoside diol-type-enriched fraction did not. In particular, GDF/F4, the most effective inhibitor, blocked the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), c-Jun-activated protein kinase (JNK), and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1/2 (STAT-1/2) among the signal transcription pathways involved. Further, GDF/F4 also inhibited the glycosaminoglycan release from interleukin-$1{\alpha}$-treated rabbit cartilage culture (30.6% inhibition at $30{\mu}g/mL$). Conclusion: Some preparations from Korean Red Ginseng and ginseng leaves, particularly GDF/F4, may possess the protective activity against cartilage degradation in joint disorders, and may have potential as new therapeutic agents.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.108-118
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• 2021

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) contains a variety of ginsenosides that can be metabolized to a biologically active substance, compound K. Previous research showed that compound K could be enriched in the red ginseng extract (RGE) after hydrolysis by pectinase. The current study investigated whether the enzymatically hydrolyzed red ginseng extract (HRGE) containing a notable level of compound K has cognitive improving and neuroprotective effects. Methods: A scopolamine-induced hypomnesic mouse model was subjected to behavioral tasks, such as the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and the Morris water maze tests. After sacrificing the mice, the brains were collected, histologically examined (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and the expressions of antioxidant proteins analyzed by western blot. Results: Behavioral assessment indicated that the oral administration of HRGE at a dosage of 300 mg/kg body weight reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits. Histological examination demonstrated that the hippocampal damage observed in scopolamine-treated mouse brains was reduced by HRGE administration. In addition, HRGE administration increased the expression of nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 and its downstream antioxidant enzymes NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase and heme oxygenase-1 in hippocampal tissue homogenates. An in vitro assay using HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells demonstrated that HRGE treatment attenuated glutamate-induced cytotoxicity by decreasing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HRGE administration can effectively alleviate hippocampus-mediated cognitive impairment, possibly through cytoprotective mechanisms, preventing oxidative-stress-induced neuronal cell death via the upregulation of phase 2 antioxidant molecules.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.227-227
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• 2016

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.202-206
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• 2010

The effects of aqueous extracts of red ginseng on the damage of DNA and erythrocyte by herbicides were evaluated using comet assay and hemolysis assay. Notably, the oxidative DNA damage and erytbrocyte hemolysis by 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) were significantly suppressed by red ginseng treatment. Moreover, red ginseng could suppress significantly paraquat-induced oxidative DNA damage and hemolysis. These suppressive effects of red ginseng on the herbicide-induced damages might be due to the antioxidant components.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.366-370
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• 1996

Gamma irradiation was applied to red ginseng powder for improving its hygienic quality 7.5 kGy of gamma irradiation completely eliminated the microorganisms contaminated in red ginseng powder. And there was no growth of microorganisms after six months of storage at room temperature. The molds isolated from red ginseng powder were identified as Pen. commune, Asp. niger, Asp. versicolor and Asp. Unguis, the conidia of which showed the decimal reduction dose ($D_{10}$ value) of 0.37-0.50 kGy, 0.24-0.31 kGy, 0.25-0.36 kGy and 0.28-0.41 kGy and inactivation factor of 5.0-6.5, 7.4-9.3, 6.5-9.1 and 6.1-8.4, respectively The radiosensitivity of identified molds' conidia decreased in medium containing red ginseng extract.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.126-137
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• 2022

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the main chronic liver diseases. NASH is identified by lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Jinan Red Ginseng (JRG) and licorice have been widely used because of their anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. Hence, this study assessed JRG and licorice extract mixtures' effects on NASH progression. Methods: Palmitic acid (PA) and the western diet (WD) plus, high glucose-fructose water were used to induce in vitro and in vivo NASH. Mice were orally administered with JRG-single (JRG-S) and JRG-mixtures (JRG-M; JRG-S + licorice) at 0, 50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg/day once a day during the last half-period of diet feeding. Results: JRG-S and JRG-M reduced NASH-related pathologies in WD-fed mice. JRG-S and JRG-M consistently decreased the mRNA level of genes related with inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid metabolism. The treatment of JRG-S and JRG-M also diminished the SREBP-1c protein levels and the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio. The FAS protein levels were decreased by JRG-M treatment both in vivo and in vitro but not JRG-S. Conclusion: JRG-M effectively reduced lipogenesis by modulating AMPK downstream signaling. Our findings suggest that this mixture can be used as a prophylactic or therapeutic alternative for the remedy of NASH.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

The growing market for companion animals, combined with their increasing lifespan, has generated an increased interest in companion animal immunity enhancers. Ginsenoside, a saponin component of ginseng and an essential ingredient of red ginseng marc (produced during red ginseng production), is effective in improving immunity. In this experiment, a powder mixture of red ginseng marc and steamed red ginseng extract powder (RGME) was orally administered to dogs for eight weeks. Subsequently, blood samples were collected and tested every four weeks. In addition, canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) were stimulated with or without interleukin-2 (IL-2) to evaluate their proliferation and cytokine secretion abilities. Proliferation assay suggests that the administration of RGME effectively enhanced numbers of cPBMCs under IL-2 stimulation. Furthermore, in the RGME group, a significant increase in the concentration of interferon gamma released from cPBMCs under IL-2 stimulation was observed. In conclusion, RGME might be an effective health supplement for improving immunity in dogs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.265-273
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• 2023

Background: The intestinal microbiota is an important regulator of bone health. In previous studies we have shown that intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, induced by treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics (ABX) followed by natural repopulation, results in gut barrier dysfunction and bone loss. We have also shown that treatment with probiotics or a gut barrier enhancer can inhibit dysbiosis-induced bone loss. The overall goal of this project was to test the effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract on bone and gut health using antibiotics (ABX) dysbiosis-induced bone loss model in mice. Methods: Adult male mice (Balb/C, 12-week old) were administered broad spectrum antibiotics (ampicillin and neomycin) for 2 weeks followed by 4 weeks of natural repopulation. During this 4-week period, mice were treated with vehicle (water) or KRG extract. Other controls included mice that did not receive either antibiotics or KRG extract and mice that received only KRG extract. At the end of the experiments, we assessed various parameters to assess bone, microbiota and in vivo intestinal permeability. Results: Consistent with our previous results, post-ABX- dysbiosis led to significant bone loss. Importantly, this was associated with a decrease in gut microbiota alpha diversity and an increase in intestinal permeability. All these effects including bone loss were prevented by KRG extract treatment. Furthermore, our studies identified multiple genera including Lactobacillus and rc4-4 as well as Alistipes finegoldii to be potentially linked to the effect of KRG extract on gut-bone axis. Conclusion: Together, our results demonstrate that KRG extract regulates the gut-bone axis and is effective at preventing dysbiosis-induced bone loss in mice.