• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권1호
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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.

• 생약학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.184-189
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• 2006

To find the monthly variation of kalopanaxsaponin contents in the leaves of Kalopanax pictus with thorns (KPT) and with no thorns (KPN), the leaves monthly collected from May to September were extracted with MeOH and then the kalopanaksaponin fractions were prepared. KPT collected on May showed the lowest saponin content of the KPTs whereas KPT on August exhibited the highest saponin content. From September, the saponin content in the loaves decreased. The highest saponin content was shown to be 7.3% in KPN collected on August. Evaluation of six kalopanaxsaponins A, I, J, B, H and K (KPA, KPI, KPJ, KPB, KPH, and KPK) were performed using TLC densitometer. In this measurement, considerably higher KPB and KPH, both hederagenin bisdesmosides, were found whereas very low contents In monodesrnosides KPI and KPJ were observed. In conclusion, it was shown that the leaves of KPN of August could be a biomaterial source for the kalopanaxsaponin fraction. It was also suggested that measurement of the weight of kalopanaxsaponin fraction and the content of KPB as the representative compound for kalopanaxsaponins will be used for the quantitative evaluation of the kalopanaxsaponins of K. pictus.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.327-335
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• 2010

We reported previously that the administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) protected the guinea pig testis against damage induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (a potent endocrine disruptor). We also found that crude saponin from ginseng was the active ingredient responsible for this protection. Here, we examined the biological role of KRG-WE in an animal model of age-induced dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (six 2-month-old and eighteen 12-month-old) rats were used. The young and old control groups received only vehicle. The ginseng saponin (GS)- and KRG-WE-treated groups received GS (40 mg/kg body weight/day) and KRG-WE (200 mg/kg body weight/day), respectively, for 4 months. The number of cells, Sertoli cell index, Johnsen's score, and sex hormone levels decreased significantly with age. However, the administration of KRG-WE and GS markedly improved the number of germ cells, seminiferous tubular size, and Johnsen's score in the old rats. Ginseng produced a distinct testicular histological improvement in old rats. KRG-WE and GS elevated testosterone levels, while attenuating the aberrant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Sperm kinematics evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer demonstrated improvement in the percentage of motile sperm, progressive sperm motility, and curvilinear velocity associated with sperm quality, supporting the beneficial role of red ginseng in senile spermatogenesis. Overall, the total water extract had a more potent effect than the corresponding saponin fraction. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng rejuvenated age-induced testicular dysfunction. Additionally, the total water extract was more potent than the corresponding saponin fraction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.77-83
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• 1987

인삼사포닌이 벼(Oryza sativa L.)의 초기생장 및 발아에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여, 볍씨를 $10^{-4}$% 사포닌용액에 침종시킨 후, ${\circ}C$에서 성장시켰다. 인삼사포닌용액($10^{-4}$%)에 60시간 동안 침종한 볍씨(시험군)는 증류수에 침종한 대조군에 비해 시간에 따른 생장이 촉진(약 10%)되었으며, 잎의 출현시기도 통계적으로 빨랐다. 또한, 볍씨 발아시의 주요효소인 amylase의 활성을 12, 24, 48, 72시간 침종한 볍씨파쇄액에서 조사한 결과, 시험군이 대조군에 비해 각각 1.27, 1.58, 1.69, 1.49배 촉진되었으며, in viro 실험의 결과도 $10^{-5}$%사포닌 존재하에서 대조군에 비해 활성이 약 30% 증가하였다. 이상의 결과로 부터 인삼사포닌의 벼의 발아에 기능하는 amylase를 활성화하여, 벼의 발아 및 초기생장을 촉진하는 것으로 해석된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.65-72
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• 1981

In this experiment, observations were made on the effects of ginseng saponin, one of the major components of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng, C. A. Meyer) root, on the membranes of microorganism (E. coli K-12), the concentration of intracelluar and extracellular cycle AMP therein, and uptake of U-14C-glucose. When the E. coli were grown on media containing 0.1% ginseng saponin, the growth was faster than for that of the control by about 30 minutes. The lysis of E. coli grown on the ginseng saponin medium increased to about double that of the control in the stationary phase. And the amount of protein and lipopolysaccharides in the outer cell meberances increased 25% and 80% respectively in comparison with the control. By electron microscope observation, it was shown that the periplasmic region of the E. coli grown on the ginseng saponin medium was widened it was observed that the cellular cyclic AMP content of the E. coli increased significantly to the hightest levels between the late exponential phase and early stationary phase. The total cyclic AMP content of E. coli grown on the ginseng saponin medium decreased about 50% when compared to that of the control.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.213-220
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• 1985

It was attempted to observe the effects of ginseng saponin, one of the major components of the roots of Panax ginseng, on androgen biosynthesis from cholesterol in vitro as well as in vivo in rat testis. Ginseng saponin was administered by stomach tubing prior to intraperitoneal injection of cholesterol containing (4-14C)-cholesteroll into adult male rats and the liver, testis and blood serum were analyzed. The first high radioactivity of the liver and blood serum of test animal was observed at 6 hours after radioactive cholesterol injection, while that of control appeared at 12 hours after the injection. In the case of testis, the first high radioactivity of test group appeared between 4 and 6 hours after the radioactive cholesterol injection, while that of control appeared at 10-14 hours. Analysis of radioactivity distribution of cholesterol, androstenedione and testosterone in the testis of rats fed with/without ginseng saponin piror to (4-14C)-cholesterol injection showed that the saponin stmulated the synthesis of androgens from cholesterol. This was confirmed again by in vitro experiment using testis homogenate as an enzyme source. From the above experimental results, it was suggested that the ginseng saponin stimulates both cholesterol transport and the biosynthesis of androgens from cholesterol in rat testis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.638-644
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• 2023

Background: The anti-platelet activity of the saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng has been widely studied. The saponin fraction consists of the panaxadiol fraction (PDF) and panaxatriol fraction (PTF); however, their anti-platelet activity is yet to be compared. Our study aimed to investigate the potency of anti-platelet activity of PDF and PTF and to elucidate how well they retain their anti-platelet activity via different administration routes. Methods: For ex vivo studies, Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered 250 mg/kg PDF and PTF for 7 consecutive days before blood collection via cardiac puncture. Platelet aggregation was conducted after isolation of the washed platelets. For in vitro studies, washed platelets were obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats. Collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were used to induce platelet aggregation. Collagen was used as an agonist for assaying adenosine triphosphate release, thromboxane B2, serotonin, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) release. Results: When treated ex vivo, PDF not only inhibited ADP and collagen-induced platelet aggregation, but also upregulated cGMP levels and reduced platelet adhesion to fibronectin. Furthermore, it also inhibited Akt phosphorylation induced by collagen treatment. Panaxadiol fraction did not exert any antiplatelet activity in vitro, whereas PTF exhibited potent anti-platelet activity, inhibiting ADP, collagen, and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, but significantly elevated levels of cGMP. Conclusion: Our study showed that in vitro and ex vivo PDF and PTF treatments exhibited different potency levels, indicating possible metabolic conversions of ginsenosides, which altered the content of ginsenosides capable of preventing platelet aggregation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.60-65
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• 1998

The effect of Korean red-ginseng extract on the proliferation and cellular activity of mouse B and T lymphocytes was examined in vitro. Both water and ethanol extract from red-ginseng increased the growth of normal B and T lymphocytes 1.5∼2.5-folds. Saponin and polysaccharide fractions from ginseng extract also stimulated the proliferation of normal lymphocytes much higher than several well-known immunostimulators. B and T lymphoma cell lines responded to the ginseng extract and fractions by growth, too, while non-lymphoid cell lines did not. Immunoglobulin production of unprimed B-lymphocytes was little affected by the ginseng extract and fractions, though the ethanol extract slightly enhanced Ini, production of B-lymphocytes. When cytolytic activity of T lymphocytes against tumor tells was induced in vitro, both of the saponin and polysaccharide fractions and the ginseng ethanol extract increased the cellular activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes 4-5-folds, while the ginseng water extract did not. Especially, the saponin fraction exhibited 10-times higher stimulatory effect on the cytolytlc activity of cytotoxic T cells than the ethanol extract and the pclysaccharide fraction did. These results suggest that Korean red-ginseng contain potent immunomodulating components to stimulate the proliferation of B and T lymphocytes and the cellular activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.107-113
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• 1998

홍삼의 추출물인 50% ethanol extract, crude saponin, 그리고 lipid soluble fraction이 마우스 대식세포의 oxidative burst를 유발할 수 있는지 여부를 알아보고자 in vitro와 in vivo에 각각의 추출물을 처치하고 hydrogen peroxide 생산을 DCFH-DA를 이용한 형광분광광도법으로 측정하였다. 형광분광법에 의한 hydrogen peroxide의 측정을 최적화하기 위한 DCFH-DA의 농도는 3.2$mu extrm{m}$이었고, oxidative burst를 유도하기 위한 zymosan A, PNA의 최적 농도는 각각 100$\mu\textrm{g}$, 250'기호'를 사용하였다. In vitro의 경우, 홍삼의 3가지 추출물은 모두 oxidative burst를 유발하지 못하였지만, zymosan A로 유발한 경우에는 50% ethanol extract에서 가장 높은 hydrogen peroxide를 생산하였다. In vivo 실험에서는, lipid soluble extract에서만 유의하게 증가한(P<0.01) oxidative burst를 유발하였고, ginsenoside(saponin)가 어느 정도 포함되어 있는 50% ethanol extract와 crude saponin은 대조군에 배하여 유의하게 낮은(P<0.05) hydrogen peroxide를 생산하였다. 이는 ginsenoside가 마우스의 nitric oxide 생산을 억제한다는 다른 연구자들의 보고와 일치하는 결과이다. Oxidative burst를 유발한 lipid soluble extract에는 phenol계 화합물, polyactylence계 화합물, 미량성분 등이 함유되어 있으므로 차후 연구를 통하여 과연 어느 성분이 hydrogen peroxide를 증가시키는지 규명하는 것이 필요하다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.362-372
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• 2020

Background: The non-saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng has been reported to have many biological activities. However, the effect of this fraction on anti-diabetic activity has not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we investigated the effects of KGC05P0, a non-saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng, on anti-diabetic activity in vitro and in vivo. Methods: We measured the inhibition of commercially obtained α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities in vitro and measured the glucose uptake and transport rate in Caco-2 cells. C57BL/6J mice and C57BLKS/J^db/db (diabetic) mice were fed diets with or without KGC05P0 for eight weeks. To perform the experiments, the groups were divided as follows: normal control (C57BL/6J mice), db/db control (C57BLKS/J^db/db mice), positive control (inulin 400 mg/kg b.w.), low (KGC05P0 100 mg/kg b.w.), medium (KGC05P0 200 mg/kg b.w.), and high (KGC05P0 400 mg/kg b.w.). Results: KGC05P0 inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities in vitro, and decreased glucose uptake and transport rate in Caco-2 cells. In addition, KGC05P0 regulated fasting glucose level, glucose tolerance, insulin, HbA1c, carbonyl contents, and proinflammatory cytokines in blood from diabetic mice and significantly reduced urinary glucose excretion levels. Moreover, we found that KGC05P0 regulated glucose production by down-regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, which inhibited gluconeogenesis. Conclusion: Our study thereby demonstrated that KGC05P0 exerted anti-diabetic effects through inhibition of glucose absorption and the PI3K/AKT pathway in in vitro and in vivo models of diabetes. Our results suggest that KGC05P0 could be developed as a complementary food to help prevent T2DM and its complications.