• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.808-814
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) has been reported to act as an inflammasome modulator. Ginsenosides, saponin molecules of RGE, selectively inhibit activation of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes, while non-saponin molecules of RGE upregulate inflammasome components associated with the initiation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In this study, we investigated the effect of non-saponin components of RGE on AIM2 inflammasome activation. Methods: The role of non-saponins of RGE on AIM2 inflammasomes was tested in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, a human monocyte-like cell line, and a mouse animal model. Cells or mice were transfected with dsDNA or inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes to activate AIM2 inflammasomes. Several indices of inflammasome activation were examined via immunoblot or ELISA analysis. Results: The non-saponin fraction and saponin-eliminating fraction (SEF) of RGE selectively attenuated the activation of AIM2 inflammasomes, but not that of NLRP3 or NLRC4 inflammasomes. Fructose-arginine, an amino-sugar, was shown to be effective against AIM2 inflammasome activation. Conclusion: Non-saponins of RGE, such as fructose-arginine, might be effective in regulating infectious and autoimmune diseases resulting from AIM2 inflammasome activation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2022

Background: Abnormalities of myelin, which increases the efficiency of action potential conduction, are found in neurological disorders. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) demonstrates therapeutic efficacy against some of these conditions, however effects on oligodendrocyte (OL)s are not well known. Here, we examined the effects of KRG-derived components on development and protection of OL-lineage cells. Methods: Primary OL precursor cell (OPC) cultures were prepared from neonatal mouse cortex. The protective efficacies of the KRG components were examined against inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. For in vivo function of Rb1 on myelination, after 10 days of oral gavage into adult male mice, forebrains were collected. OPC proliferation were assessed by BrdU incorporation, and differentiation and myelination were examined by qPCR, western blot and immunocytochemistry. Results: The non-saponin promoted OPC proliferation, while the saponin promoted differentiation. Both processes were mediated by AKT and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. KRG extract, the saponin and non-saponin protected OPCs against oxidative stress, and both KRG extract and the saponin significantly increased the expression of the antioxidant enzyme. Among 11 major ginsenosides tested, Rb1 significantly increased OL membrane size in vitro. Moreover, Rb1 significantly increased myelin formation in adult mouse brain. Conclusion: All KRG components prevented OPC deaths under oxidative stress. While non-saponin promoted proliferation, saponin fraction increased differentiation and OL membrane size. Furthermore, among all the tested ginsenosides, Rb1 showed the biggest increase in the membrane size and significantly enhanced myelination in vivo. These results imply therapeutic potentials of KRG and Rb1 for myelin-related disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.2 s.54
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• pp.81-87
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• 1999

The effect of saponin and non-saponin of Panax Red Ginseng on the blood pressure and nitric oxide production were investigated in the conscious free moving one-kidney, one-clip Goldbaltt hypertensive (lK, 1C-GBH) rats. Mean blood pressure in the control and lK, 1C-GBH rats was decreased by the administration of ginseng saponin (100 mg/kg, i.v.). The hypotensive effect induced by ginseng saponin was reached maximum at 2-4 minutes and was slowly recovered to the initial level of blood pressure. Also ginseng saponin induced reflex tachycardia in the conscious both rats. Contrast to the response induced by ginseng saponin, hypotensive effect induced by non-saponin of panax ginseng is minimal. Plasma nitric oxide concentration was increased by the treatment of ginseng saponin (100 mg/kg, i.p for 5 days) in both rats. It has been shown by western blotting that the expression level of the protein for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the aorta of rats was not increased by the treatment of ginseng saponin (100 mg/kg, i.p). However, eNOS activity in aortic homogenates of both rats were increased by the treatment of ginseng saponins. From the above results, the hypotensive effect of saponin was greater than that of non-saponin of Panax Red Ginseng. The lowering effect of blood pressure by ginseng saponin may be due to the increase of plasma nitric oxide concentration via the increase of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in the renovascular hypertensive and control rats.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.215-219
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• 2006

This study was carried out to obtain the basic information for non-saponin contents that can be used to index fresh ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) cultivated in the Republic of Korea and China. Non-saponin components in fresh gingeng roots which were cultivated in various areas and ages in Korea were determined. Acidic polysaccharide, total polysaccharide, crude polyacetylene were quantitatively analyzed by using the method of spectrophotometric determination, while the total protein was analyzed by using Lowry method. The results show that there were no statistically significant differences for the average contents of four non-saponins among 4-years-old, 5-years-old, and 6-years-old fresh ginseng roots. Additionally, this study assessed the average contents of non-saponin components in 4-years-old fresh ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) which were cultivated in Korea and China. The result showed that the average contents of crude polyacetylene and acidic polysaccharide were statistically significant. Four-years-old fresh ginseng roots cultivated in Korea had the higher average contents of crude polyacetylene and acidic polysaccharide than those cultivated in China. However the average contents of total polysaccharide and total protein had no statistically significant difference.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

The roots of Codonopsis lanceolata (Campanulaceae) contain several kinds of triterpenoid saponin with high medicinal values, which have been used in traditional medicines. This study investigates the impacts of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) - adding time on the saponin synthesis and the hairy root growth of C. lanceolata. A significant decrease in major saponin (lancemaside of three kinds) content of hairy roots was observed with MeJA treatments. Contents of lancemaside A, B and E decreased about 15% more than non-treated hairy roots. In contrast, minor saponin (foetidissimoside A and aster saponin Hb) accumulation was about 15% higher than the non-treated hairy roots. These results suggest that MeJA treatment could be used in the production of teriterpene saponins.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.274-283
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• 1998

It has generally been accepted that quality of ginseng should be determined not by the content of a single component but by composition and balance of total active principles. However, there still can be an exception with a product in which a given ginsenoside is used for the treatment of a specific disease. Although ginsenosides have been regarded to be major active components of ginseng and employed as index components for the quality control, it does not consistent with the traditional concept on ginseng quality creterion; main root has been more highly appreciated than the lateral or fine root. Content of ginsenosides in the lateral or fine root is much higher than that in main root. However, the ratio of protopanaxadiol (PD) and protopanaxatriol (PT) saponins existing in various part of ginseng root is greatly different. The ratio of PD/PT saponins in main root is well balanced but the thinner the root is the higher the ratio. Thus far, a total of 34 different kinds of ginsenosides have been isolated from Korean (red) ginseng, and their pharmacological activities were elucidated partly. Interestingly, different ginsenoside shows similar or contrary effects to each other in biological systems, thus indicating the significance of absolute content of single ginsenoside as well as compositional patterns of each ginsenoside. Therefore, pharmacological activities of ginseng should be determined as a wholly concept. In these regards, standardization of ginseng material (fresh ginseng root) should be preceded to the standardization of ginseng products because ginsenoside content and non-saponin active principles such as polysaccharides and nitrogen (N)-containing compound including proteins are significantly different from part to part of the root. In other words, the main root contains less ginsenosides than other lateral or fine roots. Contents of polysaccharides and N-containing compound in main root is higher. However, the quality control of ginseng products focused on non-saponin compounds has limitation in applying to the analytical method, because of the difficult chemical analysis of these compounds. Content of ginsenosides, and ratios of PD/PT and ginsenoside Rb,/Rg, are inversely proportional to the diameter of ginseng root. Therefore, these can be served as the chemical parameters for the indirect method of evaluating from what part of the root does the material originate. Furthermore, contents of polysaccharides and N-containing compounds show inverse relationship to saponin content. Therefore, it seems that index for analytical chemistry of saponin can be applied to the indirect method of evaluating not only saponin but also non-saponin compounds of ginseng. From these viewpoints, it is strongly recommended that quality of ginseng or ginseng products be judged not only by the absolute content of given ginsenoside but also by varieties and compositional balance of ginsenosides, including contents of non-saponin active principles.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.190-197
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• 1992

The increased level of glucose, ketone bodies, non-esterified fatty acids and lactate in blood, decrease of glycogen content, phosphofructokinase activities and glucokinase activity and the increased level of glucose-6-phosphatase activity in the liver of streptozotocin injected rats were significantly moderated by ginseng saponin administration. It is not likely, however, that the hypoglycomic action of ginseng saponin might be due to their direct action on enzyme activities, since the saponin effect of servers enzymes in vitro was not enough to explain such an appreciable hypoglycemic activity of the saponin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, for which much work have to be done.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.228-234
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• 1992

There has been general tendency to explain the traditional ginseng efficacy through the pharmacological and biochemical activities of ginsenosides. However, when we analyze the pharmacological and biological data on ginseng reported yet, we can easily arrive at the conclsion that most of the data on pharmacological and biological activities must have been obtained using impure ginsenoside samples, which should contain some non-saponin constituents as impurities. Based on the above back-ground, the non-saponin constituents of ginseng were studied in our laboratory. Phenolic substances including Maltol, Vanillic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Ferrulic Acid and Caffeic acid and impure ginsenoside samples were found to show strong antioxidant and anti-fatigue activities, while pure ginsenosides were devoid of the activities. Maltol, one of antioxidant components In Korean red ginseng drew a special interest due to its very low pro-oxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of ginseng may be considered as scientific basis for the antiageing activity which was described in traditional medicinal material book as "long-term medication of ginseng will improve bio-efficiency and extend life-span" The lignin components, another non-saponin consitutents, isolated from ginseng extract In our laboratory may eplain the hepato-protective activity of ginseng which has been repeatedly rtaimed as one of the efficacies of ginsenosides. The P-carboline alkaloids isolated in our laboratory as one of the non-saponin constituents of ginseng may play some pharmacological activities which should also be investigated. Present paper will include chemistry and biochemical aspects of the non-saponin constituents of ginseng with special interests for the explanation of traditional ginseng efficacy on modern scientific basis.fic basis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.527-537
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• 2020

Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant, has been used as a blood-nourishing tonic for thousands of years in Asia, including Korea and China. P. ginseng exhibits adaptogen activity that maintains homeostasis by restoring general biological functions and non-specifically enhancing the body's resistance to external stress. Several P. ginseng effects have been reported. Korean Red Ginseng, in particular, has been reported in both basic and clinical studies to possess diverse effects such as enhanced immunity, fatigue relief, memory, blood circulation, and anti-oxidation. Moreover, it also protects against menopausal symptoms, cancer, cardiac diseases, and neurological disorders. The active components found in most Korean Red Ginseng varieties are known to include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, alkaloids, polyacetylene, and phenolic compounds. In this review, the identity and bioactivity of the non-saponin components of Korean Red Ginseng discovered to date are evaluated and the components are classified into polysaccharide and nitrogen compounds (protein, peptide, amino acid, nucleic acid, and alkaloid), as well as fat-soluble components such as polyacetylene, phenols, essential oils, and phytosterols. The distinct bioactivity of Korean Red Ginseng was found to originate from both saponin and non-saponin components rather than from only one or two specific components. Therefore, it is important to consider saponin and non-saponin elements together.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 1986

Yeast alcohol dehydrogenates and ginseng saponin interaction has been investigated to understand the non-specific enzyme stimulating effect of the saponin of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. It was confirmed that several amphiphiles such as sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS), Triton X-100, sodium taurodeoxycholate (Na-TDC) as well as ginseng saponin mixture and purified ginseng glycosides lowered Km values of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) for ethanol and NAD in the presence of the above amphiphiles suggesting that the surface activity of the amphiphiles might play a significant role in the ADH catalyzed reactions. Conformational change of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase in the presence of the above amphiphiles at their optimal concentration for the maximum activity was studied. Circular dichroism (C.D) spectrum of yeast ADH showed that the conformational change of the enzyme occurred in the presence of above amphiphiles. Fluorescence data also showed that the hydrophobic area increased in the presence of above amphiphiles. Examination of the interaction between ADH and ginseng saponin using radioactive saponin showed that there might be a very weak interaction between them. From the above results, it was concluded that the non-specific enzyme stimulating effect of the saponin might be due to the change of polarity of the enzyme solution in the presence of the saponin.