• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1 s.34
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• pp.13-21
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• 1984

The present study was undertaken to investigate an effect of ginseng butanol fraction(total saponin) on the hepatic ethanol metabolism, we used experimental animals for the subject of study. When, in case of ADH and MEOS, ginseng butanol fraction was added, enzyme activity was increased in a small dose, and on the contrary, in a large dose, showed inhibitory effect. in catalase, the activity showed no significant effect by adding ginseng butanol fraction. In the light of kinetic aspect, when, in reaction mixture, ethanol and ginseng butanol fraction were concurrently added and reacted, Km value of ADH and MEOS was decreased. After pretreated with ginseng butanol fraction and inducement of acute toxic state by ethanol, the activities of ADH and MEOS were increased to an extent of about 25% compared to controls. But catalase activity was not significantly affected. In case that ginseng butanol fraction was given to mice fed with 5% ethanol instead of water for 60 days, the activities of ADH and MEOS were increased about 20% to 50% compared to ethanol-treated group. On the contrary, catalase activity was not affected. But blood concentrations of ethanol were decreased due to ginseng butanol fraction treatment. All these observations suggested that reduction of ethanol blood concentration should be dependent upon increased activities of ADH and MEOS. Thereby it suggests the recovery from alcohol intoxication can be prompted by treatment with ginseng.

• 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.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.186-193
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• 2016

The whole herbs of solanum nigrum L were extracted in boiling water (SNL-W), and the extracts were separated with butyl alcohol fraction (SNL-W/B) and aqueous fraction (SNL-W/W) by the solvent extraction method. The total alkaloid and total saponin content mensuration were used to identify the alkaloid composition of methanol fraction extracted from the aqueous fraction. The venom of honey bee was used to induce the rat peritoneal mast cell to secreting the histamine. The results show that the water soluble alkaloid composition of solanum nigrum L (SNL-W/W/M) has a significant inhibitory effect on the histamine release.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.1 s.53
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• pp.13-20
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• 1999

We previously reported that Korean red ginseng (KRG) has a relaxation effect on the smooth muscles of corpus cavernosum via nitric oxide (NO) pathway and calcium and potassium channels. However, it is suggested that the active ingredients of KRG might be different depending on the sources of preparation, and there might be differences in actions for different compositions. We first investigated the composition of KRG saponins according to the extractions of the various sources of KRG, then with these extractions the relaxation effects were evaluated in vitro and hemodynamical in vivo using New Zealand white rabbit and rat corpus cavernosum. The total compositions of ginsenoside $(G-Rb_1,\;-Rb_2,\;-Rc,\;-Rd,\;G-Re,\;-Rf,\;-Rg_1)$ in fractionated KRG saponin designated as TS-1, TS-2, TS-3 were $41\%,\;40\%,\;and\;62\%,$ respectively, and the ratios of PD saponin and PT saponin (PD/PT) were 1,55, 1.72, 2.25, and 2.61, the values of which were statistically significant. In vitro studies using the rabbit corpus cavernosal muscle strips, the KRG saponin relaxed cavernosal strips in a dose-dependent manner, and same results were observed in in vivo studies, that KRG saponin increased the intracavernosal pressure in the rat. There was difference in the efficacy according to fractionation techniques. The differences in the total contents of ginsenosides did not affect relaxation, rather PT saponin content was statistically related to the degree of cavernosal relaxation, and this action presumed to be mediated by NO pathway and calcium and potassium channels. In conclusion, KRG exerts relaxation which is a key step in erection via combination of effects on NO system or calcium and potassium channels. The efficacy of this action is different to the sources of ginseng, which is affected by the different composition of ginsenosides $(G-Rb_1,\;-Rb_2,\;-Rc,\;-Rd,\;G-Re,\;-Rf,\;-Rg_1).$ Thus the further studies on the active ingredients such as minor ginsenosides and non-saponin components of red ginseng with maximum potency should be sought.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.206-212
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng total saponin (GTS) contains various ginsenosides. These ginsenosides are widely used for treating cardiovascular diseases in Asian communities. The aim of this study was to study the effects of GTS on cardiac injury after global ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) in isolated guinea pig hearts. Methods: Animals were subjected to normothermic ischemia for 60 minutes, followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. GTS significantly increased aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output. Moreover, GTS significantly increased left ventricular systolic pressure and the maximal rate of contraction ($+dP/dt_{max}$) and relaxation ($-dP/dt_{max}$). In addition, GTS has been shown to ameliorate electrocardiographic changes such as the QRS complex, QT interval, and RR interval. Results: GTS significantly suppressed the biochemical parameters (i.e., lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB fraction, and cardiac troponin I levels) and normalized the oxidative stress markers (i.e., malondialdehyde, glutathione, and nitrite). In addition, GTS also markedly inhibits the expression of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, and improves the expression of IL-10 in cardiac tissue. Conclusion: These data indicate that GTS mitigates myocardial damage by modulating the biochemical and oxidative stress related to cardiac I/R injury.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.263-268
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• 1978

To find out the possible variation in chemical composition among ginseng products, the amount of saponin, extract and other basic components in different age and portion of ginseng roots(Panax ginseng Meyer) were investigated and compared with. (1) Great difference in the amount of ash, crude protein, fiber, fat, total sugar and reducing sugar was observed among different portion of the root comparing with those of different age of the root. That of ash, crude fiber, saponin and extract produced was higher in epidermis, fiber roots and subterranean stems, while that of crude protein, total sugar, panaxadiol/panaxatriol was higher in central portion and branch of the root. (2) The amount of extract produced was affected by the solvent used. Higher amount was obtained when water was employed. It was decreased as the increase of the concentration of alcohol solvent. Futhermore, the composition and physical properties were greatly varied by the concentration of alcohol solvent. (3) The amount of total-N, $P_2O_5,\;K_2O$, and ash was higher in two to three years old roots, while those of crude $SiO_2,\;CaO,$ crude fiber, and total sugar was higher in order roots. No difference was found in amount of MgO, Fe, Zn, and Na among age of the root.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.263-264
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• 2008

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.106-110
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• 1996

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effects of ginseng components on rat lens aldose reductase activity. Ginseng total saponin (GTS) exhibited inhibitory activities on rat lens aldose reductase in a dose-dependent manner. Among ginsenosides, Rf and Rgl showed potent inhibitory activities on rat lens aldose reductase. Lipid soluble fraction also inhibited rat lens aldose reductase activities. These data suggest that ginseng components inhibit rat lens aldose reductase activity in vitro.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.49-57
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• 1985

The effect of ginseng components on the potassium depleted cardiomyopathic rat heart was investigated. In the perfused heart experiment using Langendorff apparatus, the deterioration rate of contriactile force of potassium depleted rat heart (low potassium diet group) was faster than that of normal rat heart and ginseng components showed the ability to slow the deterioration rate of potassium depleted hearts. Both sialic acid contents in carcolemmal ghost and sialyltransferase activity of 40,000 * g subcellular fraction prepared from cardiac ventricular tissue of low potassium diet group were significantly decreased compared to those of normal group. The decrease of the sialic acid content and sialyltransferase activity in sarcolemma of low potassium diet group was inhibited when ginseng was concomitantly administered. Calcium uptake of sarcoplasmic reticulum prepared from low potassium diet group was significantly greaterthan that of normal group. Ginseng extract or total saponin showed the tendency to inhibit the increase of cacium uptake.