• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1019-1024
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• 2009

Diabetic neuropathy is characterized by the decrease of cell viability in neuron, which is induced by the hyperglycemia. HT22 cell is the neuron cell line originated from hippocampus. Ginsenosides have been reported to retain anti-diabetic effect. However, the preventive effect of ginsenosides in the condition of diabetic neuropathy was not elucidated. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the protective effect of ginsenoside total saponin (GTS), panoxadiol (PD), and panoxatriol (PT) in the high glucose-induced cell death of HT22 cells, an in vitro cellular model for diabetic neuropathy. In present study, high glucose increased lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activity, the lipid peroxide(LPO) formation and induced the decrease of cell viability. These effects were completely prevented by the treatment of GTS, but partially prevented by the treatment of PD and PT. High glucose also increased the expression of Bax and cleaved form of caspase-3 but decreased that of Bcl-2. These effects of high glucose on Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved form of caspase-3 were completely prevented by the treatment of GTS, but partially prevented by the treatment of PD and PT in HT22 cells. In conclusion, ginsenosides prevented high glucose-induced cell death of hippocampal neuron through the inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis in HT 22 cells.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.134-137
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• 1988

Sizes of ginseng seeds and contents of ginsenosides, free sugars and fatty acids in the seeds were investigated at different dates after flowering of 4 year old ginseng to get basic information used for determining harvest . time of ginseng seed. The sizes of seeds were maximum about 35 days after flowering(DAF), while those of endosperms reached maximum at 50 DAF. At 65 DAF seeds with intact pulp weighed most heavy. The amounts of total saponin and ginsenosides were decreased with time after flowering. Contents of free sugars such as glucose, maltose and fructose were decreased continously after flowering. Amount of palmic acid was decreased, .but those of oleic, linoleic and stearic acids were increased with time after flowering.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1789-1791
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• 2008

This study was aimed (i) to develop an effective method for the purification of ginsenosides for industrial use and (ii) to compare the distribution of ginsenosides in cultured wild ginseng roots (adventitious root culture of Panax ginseng) with those of red ginseng (steamed ginseng) and white ginseng (air-dried ginseng). The crude extracts of cultured wild ginseng roots, red ginseng, and white ginseng were obtained by using a 75% ethanol extraction combined with ultrasonication. This was followed sequentially by AB-8 macroporous adsorption chromatography, Amberlite IRA 900 Cl anion-exchange chromatography, and Amberlite XAD16 adsorption chromatography for further purification. The contents of total ginsenosides were increased from 4.1%, 12.1%, and 11.3% in the crude extracts of cultured wild ginseng roots, red ginseng, and white ginseng to 79.4%, 71.7%, and 72.5% in the final products, respectively. HPLC analysis demonstrated that ginsenosides in cultured wild ginseng roots were distributed in a different ratio compared with red ginseng and white ginseng.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.216-223
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• 1998

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) represent the unique enzymatic system degrddinf cAMP and cGMP which play a major role in the regulation of cell physiology. To investigate a possible molecular mechanism of ginsenosides, their activities were evaluated on PDEs which are recently described is new therapeutic targets. PDEs are classified into 7 families according to their genes (PDEI to PDE7) and are differently distributed in tissues. The IC50 values of ginsenosides were determined on PDEI to PDE 5 chromatographically isolatetl from bovine aorta. The results show that total ginseng saponin extract preferentially inhibits PDE 1 and PDE4 at concentrations nearby 200 ug/ml. Protopanaxadiol (PPD) fraction acts preferentially on PDE4 with and IC50 value of 100 nlml and inhibits also PDEI and PDE5 at 14 to 2 fold higher concentrations, respectively. Protopanaxatriol (PPT) fraction preferentially inhibits PDE 1 with and IC50 value of 170 ug/ml. Compound Rgl, originated from PPT fraction, and RC3 (5) represent the most active compounds towards PDE 1 with IC50 values around 80 UM. However Rg3 (R), epimer of Rgl (5) has no effect on the various PDEs tested, excepted on PDE3 rich is sligthly sensitive Compound Rbl, originated from PPD, acts on both PDEI and PDE4. It if two fold less active than Rgl and Rg3 (5) on PDEI. Taken together, these results mainly suggest that PDEI and PDE4 inhibitions could be a molecular mechanism which would participate in ginsenoside mechanisms, especially the effect of PPD on blood vessel and on CNS.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.63-70
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• 1998

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase constitute the first coordinated unit of defense against reactive oxygen species. Here, we examined the effect of ginseng saponins on the induction of SOD and catalase gene expression. To explore this possibility, the upstream regulatory promoter region of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SODI) and catalase genes were linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CATI structural gene and introduced into human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Total saponin and panaxatriol did not activate the transcription of SODI and catalase genes but panaxadiol increased the transcription of these genes about 2-3 fold. Among the Panaxadiol ginsenosides, the Rb2 subtraction appeared to is a major induce of SODI and catalase genes. Using the deletion analyses and mobility shift assays, we showed that the 5051 gene was greatly activated by ginsenoside Rba through transcription factor AP2 binding sites and its induction. We also examined the effect of the content ratio of panaxadiol extracted from various compartment of ginseng on the transcription of 5031 gene. Saponin extract that contains 2.6-fold more PD than PT from the fine root Increased the SODI induction about 3-fold. These results suggest that the panaxadiol fraction and its ginsenosides could induce the antioxidant enzymes, which are important for maintaining cell viability by lowering level of oxygen radical generated from intracellular metabolism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.112-116
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• 1991

The metabolic fate of ginsenosides including gastrointestinat absorption, organ distribution, excretion and metabolism in liver was investigated by tracer studies using the radio-labeled ginsenosides. 3H-ginsenosides were shown to be absorbed from the mouse digestive tract and then to be excreted rapidly into urine and/or bile. Bile juice was concluded to play a significant role in absorption of ginsenosides. The total concentration of radioactivity persisted in tissues 24 hrs after oral administration was less than 1.3% of the administered dose and Rbl showed the highest value. The concentrations of radioactivity were relatively high in the liver and kidney. After administration of Rbl radioactivity was detected in the brain. After oral administration of 8H-ginsenosides, major component excreted into urine was found to be the intact ginsenosides and decomposed and/or metabolized products were found in GIT in the case of Rbl. 3H-ginsenoside Rbl was shown to be metabolized in the liver and the metabolite was suggested to be an acylated compound of Rbl by a certain organic acid.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.476-484
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• 2018

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (steamed and dried white ginseng, Panax ginseng Meyer) is well known for enhancing vital energy and immune capacity and for inhibiting cancer cell growth. Some clinical studies also demonstrated a therapeutic potential of ginseng extract for treating lung inflammatory disorders. This study was conducted to establish the therapeutic potential of ginseng saponins on the lung inflammatory response. Methods: From Korean Red Ginseng, 11 ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, Rg3, and Rh2) were isolated. Their inhibitory potential and action mechanism were evaluated using a mouse model of lung inflammation, acute lung injury induced by intranasal lipopolysaccharide administration. Their anti-inflammatory activities were also examined in lung epithelial cell line (A549) and alveolar macrophage (MH-S). Results: All ginsenosides orally administered at 20 mg/kg showed 11.5-51.6% reduction of total cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Among the ginsenosides, Rc, Re, Rg1, and Rh2 exhibited significant inhibitory action by reducing total cell numbers in the BALF by 34.1-51.6% (n = 5). Particularly, Re showed strong and comparable inhibitory potency with that of dexamethasone, as judged by the number of infiltrated cells and histological observations. Re treatment clearly inhibited the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, and the c-Fos component in the lung tissue (n = 3). Conclusion: Certain ginsenosides inhibit lung inflammatory responses by interrupting these signaling molecules and they are potential therapeutics for inflammatory lung diseases.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.41-63
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• 2005

Ginseng has been useful for the treatment of diverse disease in oriental countries for thousands of years. In addition, a folk medicine prescribed by seven herbal drugs including Panax ginseng has been antinarcotics in the treatment of morphine-dependent patients. Many articles have been reported on these works. Therefore, we review the protective effects of Panax ginseng on the neurotoxicity induced by abuse drugs. Ginseng total saponins (GTS) extracted and isolated by Panax ginseng antagonized morphine-induced analgesia, and inhibited the development of analgesic tolerance to and physical dependence on morphine. CTS inhibited morphine-6 dehydrogenase, which catalyzes production of mophinone from morphine, and increased hepatic glutathione level responsible to toxicity. Therefore, wehypothesized that these dual actions of ginseng can be associated with the detoxication of morphine. In addition, the inhibitory or facilitated effects of GTS on electrically evoked contraction in guinea pig ileum (${\mu}$-receptors) and mouse vas deferens(${\delta}$-receptors) were not mediated through opioid receptors, suggesting non-opioid mechanisms. On the hand, antagonism of U-50,488H (${\kappa}$-agonist)-induced antinociception is mediated by serotonergic mechanisms. GTS also inhibited hyperactivity, reverse tolerance (sensitization) and conditioned place preference-induced by psychostimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine and morphine. On the other hand, GTS reduced the dopamine levels induced by methamphetamine. Moreover, GTS blocked the development of dopamine receptor activation, showing antidopaminergic effect. We suggest that GTS prevent the methamphetamine-induced striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In addition, Ginsenoside also attenuates morphine-induced CAMP signaling pathway. These results suggested that GTS might be useful for the therapy of the adverse actions of drugs with abuse liability.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1994

Sprague-Dawley rats were given freely with 15% ethanol (control) and 15% ethanol containing (1) 0.1% ginseng saponin, (2) 0.02% ginsenoside $Rb_1$, and (3) $Rg_1$ (tests) instead of water for 7 days and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in different regions of brain were examined. In control group, total ALDH activity with indoleacetaldehyde and acetaldehyde as substrate in all different regions was lower than that of normal group except in the hippocampus. The inhibitory effect on the activity was prominent in the corpus striatum and was not in the hippocampus. However, low-$K_m$ ALDH activity in all different regions was much lower than that of normal group. A considerable decrease in mitochondria ALDH activity in cerebellum and striatum was also observed in control group. In test groups total, low-$K_m$, and mitochondria AkDH activities in all different regions were higher than those in control group. Although ALDH activity in the striatum of test group was higher than control group, it was relatively depressed as compared with normal. There was not found a remarkable difference in extent of stimulating effect on the AkDH activity according to the ginseng saponin components. When biogenic aldehydes were used as substrate, ALDH activity with 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) in all brain regions of control group was lower than that using 5-hydroxy-indoleacetaldehyde (HIAL) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde (NORAL) as substrate. In control group, ALDH activity with biogenic aldehydes above mentioned was markedly inhibited in the striatum contrary to other regions. The higher ALDH activity with biogenic aldehydes in test group than in control was found in the striatum, cerebrum, and cerebellum. MAO activity in the cerebellum was inhibited in control group and slightly increased in test group. The results of present study suggest that the corpus striatum is significantly affected by ethanol exposure while the hippocampus is not and that ginseng saponin fraction and ginsenosid es might have a preventive effect against depression of brain ALDH activity by chronic administration of ethanol.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2019

Background: Oxidative stress induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play important causative roles in various pathological conditions. Black ginseng (BG), a type of steam-processed ginseng, has drawn significant attention due to its biological activity, and is more potent than white ginseng (WG) or red ginseng (RG). Methods: We evaluated the protective effects of BG extract (BGE) against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, in comparison with WG extract (WGE) and RG extract (RGE) in a cell culture model. Ethanolic extracts of WG, RG, and BG were used to evaluate ginsenoside profiles, total polyphenols, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity. Using AML-12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$, the protective effects of WGE, RGE, and BGE on cellular redox status, DNA, protein, lipid damage, and apoptosis levels were investigated. Results: BGE exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant potential, as well as total flavonoid and polyphenol contents. ATP levels were significantly higher in BGE-treated cells than in control; ROS generation and glutathione disulfide levels were lower but glutathione (GSH) and NADPH levels were higher in BGE-treated cells than in other groups. Pretreatment with BGE inhibited apoptosis and therefore protected cells from oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, probably through ROS scavenging. Conclusion: Collectively, our results demonstrate that BGE protects AML-12 cells from oxidative stress-induced cellular damages more effectively than WGE or RGE, through ROS scavenging, maintenance of redox status, and activation of the antioxidant defense system.