• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2453-2459
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• 2014

Ginsenoside Rg1 is one effective anticancer and antioxidant constituent of total saponins of Panax ginseng (TSPG), which has been shown to have various pharmacological effects. Our previous study demonstrated that Rg1 had anti-tumor activity in K562 leukemia cells. The aim of this study was designed to investigate whether Rg1 could induce apoptosis in TF-1/Epo cells and further to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here we found that Rg1 could inhibit TF-1/Epo cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in vitro in a concentration and time dependent manner. It also suppressed the expression of EpoR on the surface membrane and inhibited JAK2/STAT5 pathway activity. Rg1 induced up-regulation of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and C-PAPR protein and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and AG490, a JAK2 specific inhibitor, could enhance the effects of Rg1. Our studies showed that EpoR-mediated JAK2/STAT5 signaling played a key role in Rg1-induced apoptosis in TF-1/Epo cells. These results may provide new insights of Rg1 protective roles in the prevention a nd treatment of leukemia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.165-172
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• 2004

Ginseng is traditionally cultivated worldwide in cold continental climates. It is now also being cultivated in maritime environments such as New Zealandis. This paper reports a number of growth and quality parameters for plants grown under those conditions over two growing seasons and the intervening winter dormant period. While shoot biomass peaked mid-summer, in contrast, root biomass peaked late autumn/early winter. Starch, sucrose, fructose, glucose and inositol were detected in the roots. Starch concentrations were highest in early autumn (mean 470 mg $g^{-1}$ dry weight) and lowest in mid spring (218 mg $g^{-1}$ dry weight). Sucrose concentrations were low during early summer until late autumn but increased rapidly with the onset of winter and peaked during mid spring (168 mg $g^{-1}$ dry weight). Fructose and glucose concentrations were similar and peaked in late spring (5.3 and 6.2 mg $g^{-1}$ dry weight). Inositol concentrations peaked in mid summer (1.7 mg $g^{-1}$ dry weight). Starch/sugar ratios were high during summer and autumn and low during winter and spring. Ginsenoside concentrations and profiles showed that the six major ginsenosides, Rgl, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2 and Rd, were present, but Rf was absent. Concentrations did not vary with sampling date. The most abundant ginsenosides were Re (15.9 to 17.5 mg $g^{-1}$ dry weight) and Rb1 (10.7 to 18.1 mg $g^{-1}$ dry weight). Combined, they accounted for < $75{\%}$ of total ginsenoside concentrations. Limited taste tests indicated that highest root quality occurred during late autumn, after the shoots had senesced. However, quality could not be related to plant chemistry.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.565-569
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• 2009

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different preparation methods on the recovery and quantification of ginsenosides in raw Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). Eight major ginsenosides ($Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, $Rb_3$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, and $Rg_1$) were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), after which the recovery and repeatability of the extraction of those ginsenosides using 3 different preparation methods were compared [A. direct extraction (DE) method, hot MeOH extraction/evaporation/direct dissolution; B. solid phase extraction (SPE) method, hot MeOH extraction/evaporation/dissolution/$C_{18}$ cartridge adsorption/MeOH elution; C. liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method, hot MeOH extraction/evaporation/dissolution/n-BuOH fractionation]. Use of the DE method resulted in a significantly higher recovery of total ginsenosides than other methods and a relatively clear peak resolution. Use of the SPE and LLE methods resulted in clearer peak resolution, but lower ginsenoside recovery than the DE method. The LLE method showed the lowest ginsenoside recovery and repeatability among the 3 methods. Given that the DE method employed only extraction, evaporation, and a dissolution step (avoiding complicate and time consuming purification), this technique may be an effective method for the preparation and quantification of ginsenosides from raw Korean ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.278-284
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• 2016

Background: The ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) is the most abundant compound in the root of Panax ginseng. Recent studies have shown that Rb1 has a neuroprotective effect. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect are still unknown. Methods: We used stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture, combined with quantitative mass spectrometry, to explore a potential protective mechanism of Rb1 in ${\beta}$-amyloid-treated neuronal cells. Results: A total of 1,231 proteins were commonly identified from three replicate experiments. Among these, 40 proteins were significantly changed in response to Rb1 pretreatment in ${\beta}$-amyloid-treated neuronal cells. Analysis of the functional enrichments and protein interactions of altered proteins revealed that actin cytoskeleton proteins might be linked to the regulatory mechanisms of Rb1. The CAP1, CAPZB, TOMM40, and DSTN proteins showed potential as molecular target proteins for the functional contribution of Rb1 in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Conclusion: Our proteomic data may provide new insights into the protective mechanisms of Rb1 in AD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.717-724
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• 2020

Background: Malignant arrhythmias require drug therapy. However, most of the currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have significant side effects. Ginsenoside Rg2 exhibits excellent cardioprotective effects and appears to be a promising candidate for cardiovascular drug development. So far, the oral toxicity and antiarrhythmic effects of Rg2 have not been evaluated. Methods: Acute oral toxicity of Rg2 was assessed by the Limit Test method in mice. Subchronic oral toxicity was determined by repeated dose 28-day toxicity study in rats. Antiarrhythmic activities of Rg2 were evaluated in calcium chloride-induced arrhythmic rats. Antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 was investigated in arrhythmic rats and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results: The results of toxicity studies indicated that Rg2 exhibited no single-dose (10 g/kg) acute oral toxicity. And 28-day repeated dose treatment with Rg2 (1.75, 3.5 and 5 g/kg/d) demonstrated minimal, if any, subchronic toxicity. Serum biochemical examination showed that total cholesterol in the high-dose cohort was dramatically decreased, whereas prothrombin time was increased at Day 28, suggesting that Rg2 might regulate lipid metabolism and have a potential anticoagulant effect. Moreover, pretreatment with Rg2 showed antiarrhythmic effects on the rat model of calcium chloride induced arrhythmia, in terms of the reduced duration time, mortality, and incidence of malignant arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 might be the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels by suppressing the phosphorylation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Conclusion: Our findings support the development of Rg2 as a promising antiarrhythmic drug with fewer side effects for clinical use.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.154-160
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• 2020

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) powder is in rising demand because powder forms of foods are convenient to handle and are highly preservable. However, ginseng powder (GP) manufactured using the conventional process of air drying and dry milling suffers nutrient destruction and a lack of microbiological safety. The objective of this study was to prepare GP using a novel process comprised of UV-TiO₂ photocatalysis (UVTP) as a prewashing step, wet grinding, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), and freeze-drying treatments. Methods: The effects of UVTP and HHP treatments on the microbial population, ginsenoside concentration, and physiological characteristics of GP were evaluated. Results: When UVTP for 10 min and HHP at 600 MPa for 5 min were combined, initial 4.95 log CFU/g-fw counts of total aerobes in fresh ginseng were reduced to lower than the detection limit. The levels of 7 major ginsenosides in UVTP-HHP-treated GP were significantly higher than in untreated control samples. Stronger inhibitory effects against inflammatory mediator production and antioxidant activity were observed in UVTP-HHP-treated GP than in untreated samples. There were also no significant differences in CIELAB color values of UVTP-HHP-treated GP compared with untreated control samples. Conclusion: Combined processing of UVTP and HHP increased ginsenoside levels and enhanced the microbiological safety and physiological activity of GP.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.217-223
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• 2017

Background: In Korea, 6-year-old ginseng root is economically more important than 4 or 5-year-old roots. In general, the root age is determined by counting the number of stem vestiges. However, this method does not accurately estimate ginseng root age. Methods and Results: In this study, the stem vestige counting method was used to survey a total of 18,395 fresh ginsengs cultured in 2014, and 2015, to determine the accuracy of this method. The proportion of 6-year-old roots, with more than four stem vestiges, was 46.1% in 2014. For the cultivar Chunpoong cultivated in Eumseong and Goesan countries in 2015, the proportion of more than four stem vestiges was 55.9%, and 43.5%, respectively. The proportion of more than four stem vestiges for the Gumpoong cultivated in Eumseong and Yangpyeong countries was 67.0%, and 35.1%, respectively, whereas that for the cultivar Yunpoong was 36.0% and 61.0%, respectively. Moreover, it was confirmed that differences in the levels of Rg1 will enable root age determination. Conclusions: Root age determination by the stem vestige test was found to differ depending on the environmental and cultivation conditions. To determine the age of ginseng roots, a comprehensive method, such as counting stem vestiges and evaluating differences in ginsenoside levels, should be applied.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2021

Background: Panax ginseng, as one of the most widely used herbal medicines worldwide, has been studied comprehensively in terms of the chemical components and pharmacology. The proteins from ginseng are also of great importance for both nutrition value and the mechanism of secondary metabolites. However, the proteomic studies are less reported in the absence of the genome information. With the completion of ginseng genome sequencing, the proteome profiling has become available for the functional study of ginseng protein components. Methods: We optimized the protein extraction process systematically by using SDS-PAGE and one-dimensional liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The extracted proteins were then analyzed by two-dimensional chromatography separation and cutting-edge mass spectrometry technique. Results: A total of 2,732 and 3,608 proteins were identified from ginseng root and cauline leaf, respectively, which was the largest data set reported so far. Only around 50% protein overlapped between the cauline leaf and root tissue parts because of the function assignment for plant growing. Further gene ontology and KEGG pathway revealed the distinguish difference between ginseng root and leaf, which accounts for the photosynthesis and metabolic process. With in-deep analysis of functional proteins related to ginsenoside synthesis, we interestingly found the cytochrome P450 and UDP-glycosyltransferase expression extensively in cauline leaf but not in the root, indicating that the post glucoside synthesis of ginsenosides might be carried out when growing and then transported to the root at withering. Conclusion: The systematically proteome analysis of Panax ginseng will provide us comprehensive understanding of ginsenoside synthesis and guidance for artificial cultivation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.494-499
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• 2007

The quality and functional properties of red ginseng in relation to steaming and drying conditions were evaluated. Fresh ginseng (5-year roots), cultivated in the Punggi region, were steamed for 2.5, 3.5, or 4.5 hr, and then dried by hot-air (60-$65^{\circ}C$/24 hr and $40^{\circ}C$,/3-4d) freezing ($-80^{\circ}C$/56 hr), and infrared (900 W/$62^{\circ}C$/68 hr). Hunter#s yellowness (b-value) and browning indexes (420 nm) of the samples were higher in the rootlets than in the main roots. Furthermore, these same index values were found to be high in the order of 3.5, 4.5, and 2.5 hr and infrared, hot-air, and freezing for steaming and subsequent drying, respectively. Analysis of soluble solids, total phenolics, total flavonoids, acidic polysaccharides, and electron donating abilities of the steamed and dried samples showed that 3.5hr of steaming with infrared drying was optimal. However, crude saponin contents were not influenced by steaming and drying conditions. The contents of $ginsenoside-Rg_l$, -Re, -Rf and $-Rb_2$, which were the major components in the samples, were reduced with steaming time, while the amounts of $-Rg_3$ and $-Rh_2$ increased, reaching the highest levels at 3.5 and 4.5 hr in the main roots and rootlets, respectively. The contents of $-Rg_3$ and $-Rh_2$ were similar in both the freeze-dried and hot-air dried samples.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.219-225
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• 2010

We tested whether ginsenosides $Rg_3$-standardized ginseng extract (RGE) has anti-stress effects in restraint-stressed animals. RGE increased time spent in the open arms and open arm entries in the elevated plus-maze test. In addition, RGE blocked the reduction of center zone distance and stereotypes behaviors in the open-field test. RGE also increased head dips in stressed mice, indicating anxiolytic-like effects. Stress decreased movement distance and duration, burrowing, and rearing frequency but increased face washing and grooming. RGE significantly reversed burrowing and rearing activity in stressed mice. In addition, we measured sleep architecture in restraint stressed rats using EEG recorder. Stress increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but total sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep were not changed. RGE did not affect sleep architecture in stressed rats. These behavioral experiments suggest that RGE has anti-stress effects in restraint-stressed animal models.