• 한국전통의학지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2006

To study on antioxidant effects in the liver of 40-week-old mouse, the sample were orally pretreated 5mg/kg/day for 5 days with red ginseng saponin components(total saponin, protopanaxadiol saponin, protopanaxatriol saponin, ginsenoside-Rd, ginsenoside-Re, compound-K) for 5 days. The ability of saponin to protect the mouse liver from oxidative damage was examined by determining the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GPx) and the contents of glutathione, the level of malondialdehyde, The only protopanaxadiol among the ginseng saponin fractions was significantly increased the hepatic SOD activity(p<0.01). The red ginseng saponin induced a slight increase of GPx activity, especially ginsenoside Rd, compound K and protopanaxatriol treatments significantly increased its activity. The content of glutathione was significantly increased by total saponin, protopanaxadiol and ginsenoside Rd(p<0.01), but the oxidized glutathione level was lowered in all the red ginseng saponin. Finally, the level of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased by ginsenoside Rd and protopanaxadiol. In conclusion, protopanaxadiol and ginsenoside Rd among the saponin fraction were especially increased in the activity of hepatic antioxidative enzyme and decreased the lipid peroxidation that was expressed in term of MDA formation. This comprehensive antioxidant effects of red ginseng saponin seems to be by a certain action of saponin other than a direct antioxidant action.

• 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.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2001

This study was carried out to isolate saponin compounds from red-ginseng efflux, which was produced during the industrial processing of red-ginseng from fresh ginseng. We isolated crude saponin from the efflux extract (moisture content 35.0%) by using Diaion HP-20 adsorption method. Non-saponin fraction, which was adsorbed on Diaion HP-20 resin, was removed by eluating with $H_{2}O$ and 25% spirit. Then crude saponin was eluated with 95% spirit, continuously. Saponin in the eluated fractions was confirmed by TLC analysis. Crude saponin isolated from red ginseng efflux extract contained 12.10% of saponin. whereas those of white ginseng and red-ginseng were 3.30 and 3.39%, respectively. Ginsenoside contents showed the highest contents kin crude saponin from red ginseng efflux extract. Expacilly, the ginsenoside-$Rb_{1}$ and Re showed the highest contents in red-ginseng efflux extract when compared with those of white ginseng and red ginseng crude saponins. And the other ginsenosides except ginsenoside-$Rb_{1}$ and -Re also showed the highest contents in red ginseng efflux extract. However, the ratio of PD saponin (Panaxadiol saponin: $Rb_{1}+Rb_{2}$+Rc+Rd) to PT saponin (panaxatriol: $Re+Rg_{1}$) showed almost the same level when compared with those of ginseng saponin fractions. Ratio of PD/PT from red ginseng efflux extract was 1.99. Ratios of PD/PT from white ginseng and red ginseng were 1.85 and 1.84, respectively. Saponin purity, which was calculated by ratio percent of total ginsenoside to curde saponin content, was 45.90%. In case of white ginseng and red ginseng, the purities were 35.50 and 36.00%, respectively. However, by PHLC analysis, we confirmed that crude saponin isolated from red ginsengs. It suggested that crude saponin isolated from red ginseng ellux also would be useful component as ginseng saponins.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.132-135
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate the anxiolytic effects of total sponin fraction from Ginseng Radix Rubra (KRG) in mice using the elevated plus-maze model. The water extract of KRG and ginseng total saponins (GTS) purified from the water extract of KRG were administered orally to mice. One hour after administration of KRG water extract and GTS, mice were tested on the elevated plus-maze. The water extract of KRG 100 mg/kg, and GTS 25 and 50 mg/kg did not increase open arm entries and time spent on open arm. However, GTS 100 mg/kg increased the number of open arm entries and time spent on open arm. On the other hand, as the plus-maze test was affected by changes in locomotor activity, an additional test was carried out with the specific aim of monitoring locomotor activity. The water extract of KRG 100 mg/kg, and GTS 25 and 50 mg/kg did not affect the locomotor activity. However, GTS 100 mg/kg significantly decreased locomotor activity. From this study, we suggest that GTS may play an imponant role on the anxiolytic effects in the plus-maze model.

• 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.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.310-320
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• 2017

Ginseng has been widely used for traditional medicine in eastern Asia and is known to have inhibitory effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. Because, platelet is a crucial mediator of CVD, many studies are focusing on inhibitory mechanism of platelet functions. Among platelet activating molecules, thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) and P-selectin play a central role in CVD. $TXA_2$ leads to intracellular signaling cascades and P-selectin plays an important role in platelet-neutrophil and platelet-monocyte interactions leading to the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory mechanisms of total saponin fraction from Korean red ginseng (KRG-TS) on $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression. Thrombin-elevated $TXA_2$ production and arachidonic acid release were decreased by KRG-TS dose (25 to $150{\mu}g/mL$)-dependently via down regulation of microsomal cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), $TXA_2$ synthase (TXAS) activity and dephosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$). In addition, KRG-TS suppressed thrombin-activated P-selectin expression, an indicator of granule release via dephosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Taken together, we revealed that KRG-TS is a beneficial novel compound inhibiting $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression, which may prevent platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.1127-1133
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• 2007

Antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects of Red Ginseng (RG, steamed and dried root of Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer, family Araliaceae), major component of which is ginsenoside Rg3, and Bifidodoterium-fermented RG (FRG), major component of which is ginsenoside Rh2, were investigated. Orally administered RG and FRG potently reduced the serum triglyceride levels in com-oil-induced hypertriglycemidemic mice as well as total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice. Of the saponin and polysaccharide fractions of RG and FRG, the polysaccharide fraction inhibited postprandial blood glucose elevation of maltose- or starch-loaded mice and reduced the blood triglyceride levels in com-oil-induced hypertriglycemidemic mice. The saponin fraction and its ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2 reduced blood triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in Triton WR1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice. The inhibitory effect of FRG and its main constituents against hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in mice were more potent than those of RG. These findings suggest that hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of RG can be enforced by Bifidus fermentation and FRG may improve hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.66-74
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• 2020

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of crude saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum on Clinical chemical parameters in male rats acutely exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-ρ-dioxin (TCDD). Crude saponin was prepared from Korean Platycodon grandiflorum with Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography after extraction of 80% ethanol at 75℃. The crude saponin was confirmed by thin layer chrmatography. When compared with ginseng saponins, the crude saponin had both a few number of saponins and a broad distribution. Forty male rats (200±20 g) were divided into 4 groups. Normal control (NC) group received vehicle and saline; TCDD-treated (TT) group received TCDD (40 ㎍/kg, single dose) intraperitoneally; Platycodon grandiflorum saponin (PG5 and PG10) groups received crude saponin 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (p.o), respectively, for 2 weeks before 1 week of TCDD-exposure. Increase of body weight was retarded greatly by TCDD-exposure. Body weight of animals in TT group was significantly decrease after 2 days of TCDD-exposure. However, body weights of animals in PG groups increased through the experimental perimental period, although the increasing rate was slower than that of NC group. Increases in contents of blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) and activities of amylase, lipase, AST, ALT and LDH by toxic action of TCDD were significantly attenuated by crude saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum (P<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that crude saponin prepared from Korean Platycodon grandiflorum might be a member of useful protective agents against TCDD, which is one of the environmental hormones.

• 분석과학
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.146-153
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• 2017

In this study, we isolated ginseng crude saponin (GCS) from Korean red ginseng (KRG) and determined the ginsenoside content in it to investigate the physiological and pathological effects of GCS on acute pulmonary inflammation induced by intratracheal instillation of cigarette smoke condensates (CSC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) solution in BALB/c mice. GCS was orally administered at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg for 3 weeks. The recovery rate of GCS from KRG was 6.5 % and total ginsenosides from GCS was 1.13 %, and the content of Rb1 was the highest among them. Total inflammatory cells in the lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased following intratracheal administration of CSC and LPS. However, GCS administration impaired this increase. Furthermore, it inhibited the increase in leukocytes in the blood, considerably decreased neutrophils in BALF, and declined infiltration of inflammatory cells and deposition of collagen in the tracheal and alveolar tissue. In this study, GCS was found to have a protective effect against acute pulmonary inflammation and it may be beneficial in preventing various respiratory diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.553-559
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• 2018

Investigations into the development of new therapeutic agents for lung inflammatory disorders have led to the discovery of plant-based alternatives. The rhizomes of Anemarrhena asphodeloides have a long history of use against lung inflammatory disorders in traditional herbal medicine. However, the therapeutic potential of this plant material in animal models of lung inflammation has yet to be evaluated. In the present study, we prepared the alcoholic extract and derived the saponin-enriched fraction from the rhizomes of A. asphodeloides and isolated timosaponin A-III, a major constituent. Lung inflammation was induced by intranasal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mice, representing an animal model of acute lung injury (ALI). The alcoholic extract (50-200 mg/kg) inhibited the development of ALI. Especially, the oral administration of the saponin-enriched fraction (10-50 mg/kg) potently inhibited the lung inflammatory index. It reduced the total number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Histological changes in alveolar wall thickness and the number of infiltrated cells of the lung tissue also indicated that the saponin-enriched fraction strongly inhibited lung inflammation. Most importantly, the oral administration of timosaponin A-III at 25-50 mg/kg significantly inhibited the inflammatory markers observed in LPS-induced ALI mice. All these findings, for the first time, provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of A. asphodeloides and its major constituent, timosaponin A-III, in alleviating lung inflammation.