• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.206-212
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• 1984

The effect of saponin fractions of Panax ginseng root on the interactions of human plasma lipoproteins and lecithin dispersions with dextran sulfate were studied in order to examine the effect of Panax ginseng on the lipid accumulation in the aorta. The total saponin fraction and protopanaxadiol glycosides of Panax ginseng root seemed to slightly enhance the interaction of low density lipoproteins with dextran sulfate in the absence of divalent metal ions. Protopanaxatriol glycosides remarkably inhibited the interaction of low density lipoproteins with dextran sulfate. However, all of these three saponin fractions of Panax ginseng root showed the tendency of inhibition to the interaction of high density lipoproteins with dextran sulfate in the presence of divalent metal ions by the order of protopanxatriol glycosides, protopanaxadiol glycosides and total saponin. Three saponin fractions of Panax ginseng exerted almost same tendency to the interaction of lecithin dispersions with dextran sulfate in the presence of divalent metal ions as the interaction of low density lipoproteins with dextran sulfate absence of divalent metal ions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.95-99
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• 2006

When the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside (G) Re isolated from ginseng and its metabolites G-Rg1, G-F1, G-Rh1 and protopanaxatriol in mouse ear skin psoriasis stimulated by oxazolone was investigated, G-Re and its metabolites suppressed mouse ear swelling stimulated by oxazolone. Among these agents tested, G-Rh1 most potently suppressed ear swelling as well as mRNA expression of COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines $IL-1{\beta},\;TNF-{\alpha}$ and $interferon-{\gamma}$. These findings suggest that G-Rh1 may improve chronic dermatitis and psoriasis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 1994

Saponin of Panax ginseng (C.A. Meyer) is composed of Protopanaxatriol (PT) and Protopanaxa- diol (PD). We investigated the effects of PT and PD on the contractility and $^{45}Ca$ uptake in the pig coronary artery. Isometric tension in the helical strips and $^{45}Ca$ uptake in the ring strips were measured in the presence or absence of PT and PD. PT and PD did not affect the high K+ (40 mM)-induced contraction but relaxed the ACh-induced contraction in a dose4ependent manner (1~10 mg/dl). The vasorelaxing effect of PT on the ACh-induced contraction was more potent than that of PD. Those relaxations were partially suppressed by the rubbing of endothelium removal. ACh-induced contraction in the $Ca^{2+}$-free Tyrode's solution was suppressed by the pretreatment of PT or PD. Following the depletion of ACh-sensitive intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ pool, ACh-induced contraction was suppressed by the pratreatment of PT or PD. With the pretreatment of PT or PD, $^{45}Ca$ uptake by high K+ (43 mM) was not changed but that by ACh was suppressed in the pig coronary artery. From the above results, we suggested that the vasorelaxing effect of PT and PD of Panax ginseng was due to inhibition of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release, inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake via receptor-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channels and in part a release of vasorelaxing factor from endothelium in pig coronary artery.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 1998

We demonstrated in previous study that protopanaxadiol and protopanxatriol saponins show antinociceptive activity in acetic acid induced writhing test and in the second phase (11-40 min) of formalin test but not tail-flick test. To identify further which ginsenoside has antinociceptive activity among various ginseng saponins, we have investigated antinociceptive effects of several ginsenosides using writhing and formalin test. Ginsenoside Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf induced antinociception in writhing test. These four ginsenosides also induced antinociception in the second phase of formalin (11-40 min) test but these ginsenosides showed a slight antinociception in the first phase (010 min) of formalin test except ginsenoside Rf. The antinociceptive effects induced by the ginsenosides were dose dependent and were not blocked by an opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone. The order of antinociceptive potency was Rd > Rc > Re > Rf in the formalin test. However, these ginsenosides did not show any significant analgesic effects in a tail-flick test. These results suggest that ginsenosides such as Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf inhibit tonic pain rather than acute pain induced by noxious heat. These results also indicate that the antinociceptive activity. Induced by ginsenosides may be one of the actions for pharmacological effects of Panax ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.473-481
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the contents of ginsenosides and physiochemical properties of Panax ginseng after 9 times steaming and drying treatment by using the new auto steamer which is more fast and simple than previous report. In the process of steaming and drying, the content of six major ginsenosides such as Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2 and Rd were gradually decreased. On the other hand, the content of seven minor ginsenosides includes Rh1, 20(S)-Rg2, 20(R)-Rg2, 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 were gradually increased. We observed the protopanxadiol ginsenosides such as Rb1, Rb2, Rc and Rd were converted into 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5; similarly protopanxatriol ginsenosides of Rg1 and Re were converted into Rh1, 20(S)-Rg2 and 20(R)-Rg2. Based on the result of fresh ginseng, the contents of reducing sugar, acidic polysaccharide and total phenolic compounds were gradually increased and reached to maximum at 7 times repetitive steaming process of the fresh ginseng. Whereas DPPH radical scavenging activities were gradually decreased to 68% at 7 times steaming. New auto 9 repetitive steaming and drying process has similar production with original methods, but content of benzo(a)pyrene were not almost detected comparatively taking less time. The present results suggested that this method is best for the development of value-added ginseng industry related products.