• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.282-287
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different soil texture in agronomic characteristics, root yield and quality of baloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC.). Three kinds of soil texture, sandy loam, silt loam and clay loam, were tested for two years. Baloon flowers were seeded with 20cm row space and cultivated in the one square meter pot with 0. 6m depth. Fifty plants per pot were remained. In growth characteristics of one-year-old plants, shooting date was not significantly different according to the changes of soil texture. The ratio of stem growth was highest between July and August. In two-years-old plants, it was showed between May and June. Plants grown on clay loam showed the highest growing characteristics than those of other soil textures. Dry root weight cultivated on clay loam was 274kg/10a in one-year-old and 934kg/10a in two-years-old plants. The content of ethanol extracts from root was highest at those of sandy loam as 47.1 % in one-year-old root. The crude saponin content was not different significantly among the three kinds of soil texture.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.685-699
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has long been known as a medicinal herb effective in various diseases, including bronchitis and asthma, but is still more widely used for food. Fermentation methods are being applied to increase the pharmacological composition of PG extracts and commercialize them with high added value. This study examines the hydrolyzed and fermented PG extract (HFPGE) fermented with Lactobacillus casei in RAW 264.7 cells, and investigates the effect of amplifying the immune and the probable molecular mechanism. MATERIALS/METHODS: HFPGE's total phenolic, flavonoid, saponin, and platycodin D contents were analyzed by colorimetric analysis or high-performance liquid chromatography. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay. Phagocytic activity was analyzed by a phagocytosis assay kit, nitric oxide (NO) production by a Griess reagent system, and cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cytokines were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, whereas MAPK and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation were analyzed by Western blots. RESULTS: Compared to PGE, HFPGE was determined to contain 13.76 times and 6.69 times higher contents of crude saponin and platycodin D, respectively. HFPGE promoted cell proliferation and phagocytosis in RAW 264.7 cells and regulated the NO production and iNOS expression. Treatment with HFPGE also resulted in increased production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand10, granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and the mRNA expressions of these cytokines. HFPGE also resulted in significantly increasing the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results imply that fermentation and hydrolysis result in the extraction of more active ingredients of PG. Furthermore, we determined that HFPGE exerts immunostimulatory activity via the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.685-690
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• 2005

We recently reported that the ginseng saponin metabolite, compound K (20-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyra-nosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol, IH901), inhibits the growth of U937 cells through caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway. In this study, we further characterized the effects of compound K on U937 cells and found that, in addition to apoptosis, compound K induced the arrest of the G1 phase. The compound K treated U937 cells showed increased p21 expression; an inhibitory protein of cyclincdk complex. The up-regulation of p21 was followed by the inactivation of cyclin D and the cdk4 protein, which act at the early $G_1$ phase, and cyclin E, which acts at the late $G_1$ phase. Furthermore, compound K induced the activation of JNK and the transcription factor AP-1, which is a downstream target of JNK. These findings suggest that the up-regulation of p21 and activation of JNK in the compound K treated cells contribute to the arrest of the $G_1$ phase.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.212-212
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• 1996

Effects of ginseng total saponin(GTS) on changes in the glutamatergic nervous system induced by AF64A were studied in rats. Rats were pretreated with the infusion of AF64A (3mM) into lateral ventricle and were posttreated with GTS (50mg/kg, j.p) for 1 week. Twenty four hrs after the last administration, rats were sacrified and each brain resions was dissected ; striatum, hippocampus and frontal cortex. At each brain regions, total glutamate and other amino acids levels, [$^3$H]MK801 binding sites and glutamine synthetase activity were measured using HPLC-ECD, ligand binding assay and enzyme activity assay, respectively. The AF64-induced increase in the levels of total glutamate in hippocampus were significantly decreased by the administration of GTS. Furthermore, that compared with saline and GTS was decreased in striatum. The levels of total GABA compared with saline and GTS were declined in frontal cortex. Moreover, the AF64A-induced decrease in the levels of total taurine were significantly increased by the administration of GTS to extents of normal states. The numbers of [$^3$H]MK801 binding sites were differently affected in brain resiojns ; the decrease in hippocampus and no change in both striatum and frontal cortex, Glutamine synthetase activity was significantly increased in hippocampus. In comparision with saline and GTS, that was significantly decreased in striatum These results suggest that GTS may adjust the levels of glutamate, GABA and taurine constantly and may induce increase of glutamine synthetase activity declined.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.657-663
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a cheonggukjang diet and aerobic exercise on lipid metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activity in rats. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into a cheonggukjang diet with aerobic exercise (A), aerobic exercise (B), cheonggukjang diet (C), and control group (D). The cheonggukjang diet group consumed 20 g of 20% cheonggukjang a day with their normal diet. Exercise training consisted of treadmill running (25~40 min, 5 day/wk) and the exercise intensity was gradually increased. The results are as follows: T-C was significantly lower (p<0.05) in A compared to B and C. TG was significantly lower (p<0.001) in A compared to D. B and C were significantly lower than D. HDL-C was significantly higher (p<0.05) in C compared to D. LDL-C was not statistically different across the groups. Additionally, TBARS were not statistically different in the control or experimental groups. SOD was significantly lower (p<0.05) in A compared to D. C was significantly lower (p<0.05) that of D. CAT and GPx failed to reach the statistical difference between experimental and control groups. The major findings of this study were that aerobic exercise with a chenggukjang diet intervention improved lipid profiles and antioxidant capacity in this animal model. Therefore, a cheonggukjang diet and aerobic exercise will help to improve antioxidant capacity and prevent lifestyle related diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.208-214
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• 1993

Ginseng-whey beverages were prepared with rennet whey, ginseng, sweetener, honey and Japanese apricot, inoculated with different strains of lactic acid bacteria or unfermented partly. The samples were stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ or 30$\pm$1$0^{\circ}C$ and then physicochemical and microbiological properties were investigated. The yield of whey was 78.8%. The pH-values reduced and acidities increased during the storage period. The contents of solid-substances, ash and lipid in ginseng-whey beverages were 7.90~8.20%, 0.62~0.66% and 0.16%, respectively. The protein contents of ginseng-whey beverages were 0.42~0.56% and the contents were not changed during the storage period. The lactose contents of fermented beverages were higher than those of unfermented beverages. During the storage period (1~5 weeks), the ranges of D(-) - and L(+)- lactic acid contents in fermented ginseng-whey beverages (17.3~156.1 mg/100g, 347.3~1894.2mg/100g) were higher than those of unfermented ginseng-whey beverages (6.2~82.8mg/100g, 7.1~885.5mg/100g). The contents of total saponin in unfermented sample and fermented sample (Lac. casei sub-sp. casei+Str. salivarius sub-sp. thermophilus) were increased during the storage period. But, those of the fermented sample(Lac. acidophilus+Lac. delbrueckii sub-sp. bulgaricus) were reduced. In the electrophoretic results of ginseng-whey beverages, an $\alpha$-lactalbumin and a $\beta$-lactoglobulin bands were shown apparently and there were no changes observed during the storage period. During the storage period (1~3 week) the coliform was not detected and total plate counts and psychrotrophs were increased according to the storage period.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2015

Background: Korean ginseng is an ethnopharmacologically valuable herbal plant with various biological properties including anticancer, antiatherosclerosis, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Since there is currently no drug or therapeutic remedy derived from Korean ginseng, we developed a ginsenoside-enriched fraction (AP-SF) for prevention of various inflammatory symptoms. Methods: The anti-inflammatory efficacy of AP-SF was tested under in vitro inflammatory conditions including nitric oxide (NO) production and inflammatory gene expression. The molecular events of inflammatory responses were explored by immunoblot analysis. Results: AP-SF led to a significant suppression of NO production compared with a conventional Korean ginseng saponin fraction, induced by both lipopolysaccharide and zymosan A. Interestingly, AP-SF strongly downregulated the mRNA levels of genes for inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and cyclooxygenase) without affecting cell viability. In agreement with these observations, AP-SF blocked the nuclear translocation of c-Jun at 2 h and also reduced phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and TAK-1, all of which are important for c-Jun translocation. Conclusion: Our results suggest that AP-SF inhibits activation of c-Jun-dependent inflammatory events. Thus, AP-SF may be useful as a novel anti-inflammatory remedy.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.300-305
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• 1999

A sensitive and efficient assay method was applied to determine the level of glutamic acid (GA) and ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid (GABA) in frontal cortex and hippocampus of rat administrated with ethanol and drugs. The compounds were derivatized with ο-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and 2-mercaptoethanof for precolunm analysis. The condition for the simultaneous determination of GA, GABA and $\beta-aminobutyric$ acid (BABA) by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was reverse phase $C_{18}$ column as stationary phase, 0.1 M phosphate buffer containing 0.1 mM $Na_4EDTA$ : methanol = 55:45 (v+v) pH 3.8 as mobile phase and 0.7V electrode voltage. The stability of reaction product of GA, GABA and BABA with OPA could be increased by adding the same volume of polyethylene glycol 400 to reaction mixture. The GABA level in frotal cortex of rat was significantly decreased by the administration of picrotoxin and diazepam, but it was significantly increased by the administration of red ginseng total saponin, N-methyl-D-glucamine and (-)-deprenyl.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2010

This study sought to optimize the extraction and enzymatic treatment conditions of Panax ginseng leaves, stems, and roots for the production of fermented ginseng. The optimization enhanced the extraction of total saccharide, a nutrient and growth-activating factor for Lactobacillus bacteria. The hydrolysis of ginseng leaves, stems, and roots was tested with eight enzymes (Pentopan, Promozyme, Celluclast, Ultraflo, Pectinex, Ceremix, Viscozyme, and Tunicase). The enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were statistically optimized by the experimental design. Optimal particle size of ginseng raw material was <0.15 mm, and optimal hydrolysis occurred at a pH of 5.0-5.5, a reaction temperature of 55-$60^{\circ}C$, a Ceremix concentration of 1%, and a reaction time of 2 hr. Ceremix produced the highest dry matter yield and total saccharide extraction. Ginseng leaves were found to be the most suitable raw material for the production of fermented ginseng because they have higher carbohydrate and crude saponin contents than ginseng roots.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.1 s.53
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• pp.38-43
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• 1999

Ginseng total saponins (ginsenosides) are biologically active main ingredients of Panax ginseng. In present study, we have investigated whether pretreatment of ginsenosides inhibited capsaicin-induced pain at the spinal level, in the view that capsaicin causes substance P (SP) release from primary afferents. Ginsenosides relieved capsaicin-induced pain in a dose-dependent manner. The $ED_{50}$ of the effect was 43 (20-93, $95\%$ C.I.) ${\mu}g/mouse$. We investigated excitatory amino acids-induced nociceptive responses in mice, because these agents are also involved in nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord. Coadministration of ginsenosides with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or kainate via i.t. inhibited NMDA- but not kainate-induced pain behaviors. The $ED_{50}$ for the inhibition of NMDA-induced pain by ginsenosides was 37 (21-66, $95\%$ C.I.) ${\mu}g/mouse$. These results suggest that the ginsenosides-induced antinociception results from blocking of pain transmitter-induced nociceptive information at the spinal level.