• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1996

Effects of Panax ginseng on allergic reactions were studied uslng various in vivo and in vitro experimental models such as 48-hr passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, mediators-induced skin reactions, histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells, and lipoxygenase assay . In all of anti-allergic experiments we conducted, ginseng components (50% ethanol extract or ginseng total saponin or ginsenosides) extracted from Korean red ginseng, did not show significant anti-allergic actions. In 48-hr passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and mediators-induced skin reactions, 50% ethanol extract did not suppress hypersensitivity reactions. Total saponin, 50% ethanol extract, and 8 major ginsenosides did not show inhibitory effects on lipoxygeanse activity. Ginseng total saponin did not inhibit histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. All of the ginseng components mentioned above were also tested on RBL-2H3 cells, but none of them inhibited hexosaminidase release from this cell line. These results suggest that Panax ginseng does not have effects on allergic reactions at the level of 50% ethanol extract or total saponin used. All of 8 major saponin components tested ($Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$, $Rg_2$), did not inhibit lipoxygenase activity and degranulation events.

• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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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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• v.34 no.4
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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.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.133-138
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• 2006

In order to enhance the components of bioactive ginsenosides and the manufacturing process of red ginseng, we developed the simplified method for red ginseng production. The red ginseng extract was prepared from red ginseng produced with the simplified method, and the production rate of extract ($62^{\circ}$ brix) was more than 60%. The ginsenosides of red ginseng were purified and analyzed by HPLC using ELSD. Ginsenoside-$Rg_3,\;Rh_2$ and $Rh_1$, specific artifacts found only in red ginseng, were detected by HPLC. Especially, contents of ginsenoside-$Rg_3$ and Rh1 were detected high than two times in red ginseng produced the simplified method compared to commercial products.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2012

Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has been used frequently in traditional oriental medicine and is popular globally. Ginsenosides, which are the saponins in ginseng, are the major components having pharmacological and biological activities, including anti-diabetic and anti-tumor activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of total saponin from Korean red ginseng(TSKRG) on thrombin-produced thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$), an aggregating thrombogenic molecule, and its associated microsomal enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and $TXA_2$ synthase (TXAS). Thrombin (0.5 U/mL) increased $TXA_2$ production up to 169 ng/$10^8$ platelets as compared with control (0.2 ng/$10^8$ platelets). However, TSKRG inhibited potently $TXA_2$ production to the control level in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the strong inhibition of COX-1 and TXAS activities in platelet microsomes having cytochrome c reductase activity. The results demonstrate TSKRG is a beneficial traditional oriental medicine in platelet-mediated thrombotic diseases via suppression of COX-1 and TXAS to inhibit production of $TXA_2$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2002

Pregnancy is a physiological state accompained by a high energy demand of many bodily functions and an increased oxygen requirement. Because of the increased intake and utilization of oxygen, increased levels of oxidative stress would be expected. So we observed the activities of the hepatic antioxidant enzymes from rat treated with total saponin from the red ginseng against free raicals produced in pregnant rats. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the control group was slightly decreased during pregnancy, and SOD activity in total saponin treated group was not observed any siginificant change compared with the control group. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GRD) and catalase in the control group have shown the decreasing tendency during pregnancy, whereas the activities of GRD and catalase in total saponin treated group showed significant increased tendency compared with the control group. GPX activity in total saponin treated group was slightly decreased tendnency compared with the control group. The activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the control group was increased to keep the state of homaeostasis tendency in pregnant rats. On the other hand, the activity of GST after total saponin treatment was increased than control group. Activity of all enzymes in the control group and total saponin treated group recovered the normal level after delivery of rats. In spite of the physiological changes in vivo, the inflaunce of total saponin on activaties of hepatic antioxidant enzyme in pregnant rats seems to be regulated the biological homeostatic adaptation mechanism which protects the maternal liver aganist oxygen induced toxicity

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.89-93
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate a point of difference in chemical characteristics between normal and inferior Korean red ginseng (Naeback red ginseng=red ginseng with white part of clear boundary in phloem and/or xylem of ginseng body, saengnaeback red ginseng=red ginseng with white part of indistinct boundary). content of total sugar as chemical components of naeback and saengnaeback part from Korean red ginseng were less than that of normal part, and content of reducing sugar in normal and saengnaebakc part showed higher than that of naeback part. But differences in content of total phenolic compounds was not found. The content of crude saponin in normal part was highest, amounts of ginsneoside were about same. The content of constituent amino acid in normal part was about 2 times as compared with those in naeback and saengnaeback part in red ginseng. Among the various amino acids, the contents of arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine and alanine of normal and naeback part were higher than others, but in saengnaeback proline, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, threonin and glycine etc. were higher. In the total amount of free amino acids, those in normal, naeback and saengnaeback part were about the same one another, and arginine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid were major free amino acids.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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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.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.790-798
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• 2016

We quantitatively analyzed eight varieties of 6-year-old red ginseng, including four local landraces from the Inje, Geumsan, Jinan, and Punggi regions and four new varieties, Chunpoong, Yunpoong, Guempoong, and K-1, for 10 ginsenosides, acidic polysaccharide, crude polyacetylene, and total polyphenol content to find out which varieties are most suitable for producing red ginseng. Most of the new varieties contained more ginsenosides than the local landraces. While the acidic polysaccharide content of Geumsan red ginseng was lower than that of the others, its crude polyacetylene content was the highest, with a mean of 33.99%. The Inje, Geumsan, and Jinan red ginseng had a significantly higher total polyphenol content than the others.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.155-163
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• 2018

The present study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical properties of hot water extracts of red ginseng powder prepared by two-stage hot air drying method using steamed ginseng and steaming liquid for 2.5 h under high-temperature and high-pressure autoclave condition. The total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total sugar, acid polysaccharides and crude saponin in hot water extracts from red ginseng powder were analyzed and determined, and the flavor components of ginseng were measured using color difference meter and an electronic tongue. The total polyphenol, total flavonoid, total polysaccharide, and acid polysaccharide of the red ginseng hot water extract obtained by autoclaving (ARG) were 9.06 mg GAE/g, 3.38 mg NE/g, 35.22 g/100 g, and 10.90 g/100 g, respectively. The final contents of the total polyphenols, total flavonoids, crude saponin were higher than those determined using other red ginseng methods; the time required for steamed red ginseng production reduced. The total ginsenoside content of ginseng including Rb1 was 10.69 mg/g, which is the lowest ARG. The processing conditions affected the conversion to ginsenosides unique to red ginseng. Red ginseng and steaming liquid obtained from the autoclave are expected to be in need for non-food materials and products as well as foods by improving the flavor components through conversion of red ginseng components into low molecular weight.