• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.131-137
• /
• 2005

Acetaminophen(APAP) is one of the most extensively used analgesics and antipyreics worldwide. In order to investigate preventive effects of white and red ginseng extracts, male ICR mice pretreated with white or red ginseng extracts(50 or 250 mg/kg/day, for 5 days, orally) before treatment with acetaminophen(800mg/kg, i.p, single dose). In an attempt to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effect, superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde(MDA) contents were studied. In pretreatment with red ginseng extract(250 mg/kg), the activities of SOD, CAT were generally highest and the hydrogen peroxide content was lowest. The levels of MDA were significantly lower in white and red ginseng extract groups than those in the APAP groups. By treatment with ginseng extract, high content of hydrogen peroxide and increased lipid peroxidatiion level caused by APAP could be lowered. Also, ginseng extracts were found to increase antioxidative enzyme activity. Finally, the results suggest that the antioxidant effects of (white and red) ginseng extracts prevent oxidative damage by direct antioxidant effects involving SOD, CAT and increasing the ability to synthesize endogenous antioxidants. It was concluded that ginseng can protect against APAP intoxication through its antioxidant properties.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.94-100
• /
• 1986

Korean red ginseng tails was extracted with solutions having various ethanol concentration at the temperature range of 70-$100^{\circ}C$, Extraction was carried out for 1-5 times of 8 hours at given condition. Sensory properties and color of RG-Ext. were found to be significantly affected by conditions of extraction. Absorbance at 490nm was decreased as the ethanol concentration increased, the increase in ethanol concentration also showed an increase in the Hunter's values of "L" and "b", and a decrease in "a" value indicating the color of RG-Ext. was changed to yellowish with less in darkness. Increase in extraction time and temperature caused darker brown color which is indicates a typical phenomena of non-enzymatic browning reaction. The flavor and bitternes of RG-Ext. were found to be significantly increased as the ethanol concentration increase, the generally responses of acceptance range of ethanol concentration was 30-70%.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.132-136
• /
• 2006

This study was carried out to study the effect of emergence type of multiple stem and main bud on the quality of fresh and red ginseng in Korean ginseng. To achieve the aim of this study, characteristics of roots and quality factors were investigated. Single stem plants were 62.9% of the total samples, and the remainder(37.1%) were multiple stem plants. The number of stems affected considerably on root weight. Root weight of triple stem type with triple main bud was the largest among the types. As the number of stem per plant increased, the root quality became worse. In both single and multiple stem, the more the number of main buds was, the lower the quality grade was. Yield of the red ginseng was about 30%, showing little difference between single stem and multiple stem plant. As the number of stem increased, yield of Bonsam decreased. The quality grade of red ginseng of single stem was better than that of multiple stem. Multiple stem plant produced relatively more Yangsam and Japsam. As the number of main bud increased, the quality grade of ginseng decreased.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.121-127
• /
• 1988

Samples of Red Ginseng, which had been. manufactured and packaged by the ' Korean Monopoly Corporation, were stored under ambient temperatures and humidities (12-$28^{\circ}C$ and 55-68 percent) during one to nine years to examine their browning reaction and antioxidant activity. The brown-color intensity of the Red Ginseng samples increased significantly according to increasing storage period. The pH of the aqueous extracts of the samples also increased slightly during the storage, The former seemed to indicate that extensive browning reactions had taken place in the samples during the long storage, The browning reactions seem to be due to mutual reactions of by-products in the final stage rather than to reactions between free amino acids and free sugars in the initial stage of the maillard browning reactions during the storage. The reducing powers of aqueous and ethanol extracts and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extracts of the Red Ginseng samples increased with increasing storage time, The increase in the reducing power and antioxidant activity appeared to be directly attributable to the increased amounts of nonenzymatic browning reaction products formed progressively during the long storage periods.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.111-119
• /
• 2004

The renoprotective effects of Korean Red Ginseng were examined in STZ-induced diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). After 3 day administration of streptozotocin (STZ), animals were divided into four groups : Group 1, hypertensive rats (H); Group 2, hypertensive rats with diabetes (HD); Group 3, hypertensive rats with diabetes administered with 100 mg/kg of ginseng total saponin(GTS); Group 4, hypertensive rats with diabetes administered with 600 mg/kg of ginseng non-saponin (GNS). After 2 weeks oral administraions of GTS and GNS, body weight, kidney weight, plasma glucose, urinary albumin excretion, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and blood pressure were examined. After 3,7 and 21 day of STZ administration, expressions of TGF-${\beta}$1 and fibronectin in kidney were analyzed by immunoblotting and/or immunohistochemistry. GTS and GNS treatments slightly decreased blood pressure when compared to H and HD groups. Also, GTS and GNS treatments ameliorated kidney hypertrophy without affecting plasma glucose levels. Meanwhile, GNS treatment increased Cu/Zn-SOD activity in kidney and generally showed more efficient renoprotective effects than GTS. We suggest that the renoprotective effects of ginseng partially result from downregulations of TGF-${\beta}$1, fibronectin expressions and anti-oxidative activity of ginseng non-saponin.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.115-126
• /
• 2009

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of red ginseng on women's health-related quality of life (QOL) and sexual function. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical study was performed. The main efficacy was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFl) and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Twenty-four healthy, married women aged 30-45 years with FSFl scores below 25 were randomly divided into two groups: the red-ginseng group (N=12) and the placebo group (N=12). During the first six-week period (Study 1), each group was given red ginseng or placebo twice a day. Before the start of the second six-week period (Study 2), a crossover design was chosen with a two-week break (washout period). Interchanging the two groups after the washout period, red ginseng and placebo were given to each group. The outcomes were measured before and after each six-week period. Overall, 23 participants completed the study. In Study 1, the changes relative to the baseline in the FSFl total score were 22.50% and 22.99% for red ginseng and placebo, respectively. In Study 2, the relative changes were 8.14% for red ginseng and 6.29% for placebo. The results showed a greater improving trend in Study 1 with respect to all of the participants' sexual functions, but no significant difference was found between the groups (P=0.9567). After taking red ginseng, all the participants exhibited an improving trend in the desire domain of FSFl, but no significant difference was shown. In the measurement of SF-36, no significant difference was likewise shown. After taking red ginseng, though, all the participants exhibited an improving trend in the physical functioning (PF) domain of SF-36, with no significant difference. Moreover, there was no significant adverse event related to red ginseng. The QOL and sexual function of the study participants in the red-ginseng group were mostly improved, but no statistically significant effect of red ginseng was shown. It is supposed that this result was partly due to the affirmative impression of red ginseng in Korea. Thus, it is anticipated that a long-term clinical trial will show a significant effect of red ginseng on the QOL and sexual function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.104-110
• /
• 2009

It is well known that the saponin of Korean red ginseng (KRG) has an anti-oxidant effect and could suppress the accumulation of lipid peroxidation. The aim of the present study was to observe the inhibitory effect of KRG on mice with noise-induced hearing loss, and to determine its optimal dose. BALB/c mice with a normal hearing level and normal Preyer's reflexes were used in the study. The mice in the permanent-threshold-shift (PTS) group were exposed to noise (120-dB SPL, white noise band) in a noise booth for 3 h a day, for three consecutive days. The mice in the experimental group were given heat-processed red-ginseng extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg), and those in the control group were given normal saline alone during their noise exposure. The mice in the temporary-threshold-shift (TTS) group were exposed to noise (120 dBSPL, white noise band) in a noise booth for 3 h. The mice in the experimental group were given heat-processed red-ginseng extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg), and those in the control group were given normal saline alone before their noise exposure. The hearing levels of the mice were measured through auditory brainstem response (ABR) immediately and I, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after their noise exposure. Cochleae were removed from the mice 14 days after their noise exposure. lmmunochemical and immunofluorescent staining were performed to observe the expression of 8-oxoG in cochlea. In the PTS group, the hearing function of the mice in all the groups was not recovered after their noise exposure. In the TTS group, however, the hearing function of the mice in all the groups was recovered within 14 days. Reduced hearing impairment and early recovery were observed in the mice that were given 200 mg/kg KRG, and early recovery was observed in the mice that were given 100 mg/kg KRG The immunopositive staining of 8-oxoG was detected in the stria vascularis in the control group but was diminished in the mice that were given 200 mg/kg KRG The ingestion of more than 100 mg/kg KRG demonstrated a protection and recovery effect on the noiseinduced-TTS group. Since KRG has been reported to be a safe compound even up to hundreds of mg/kg, a higher concentration of it may effectively protect and recover TTS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.283-290
• /
• 2008

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with many pathological states such as fat deposit in the tendon and skin, hepatomegaly, pancreatitis and heart attack. The present study was focused on the effect of Korean red ginseng water extract (RGWE) on the recovery of hepatic function that was deteriorated in high-cholesterol diet fed mice. Mice were divided into 6 groups ; normal diet group (AIN-2WK), 4 week-high-cholesterol diet group (CHOL-4WK), 2 week-high-cholesterol + 2 week-normal diet group (CHOL-2WK), 2 week-high-cholesterol + 2 week-normal diet + RGWE treated group (R100, R300, R500). RGWE treated group received normal diet and RGWE at daily doses of 100, 300, 500 mg/kg b.w. for 2 weeks after the 2 weeks feeding of high-cholesterol diet. The results are as follows : 1. The hepatic weight and total hepatic lipid weight were markedly lower in RGWE treated group than those in the CHOL-4WK or CHOL-2WK group, indicating that ginseng inhibited hepatic hypertrophy. 2. Total hepatic cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in normal diet conversion group (CHOL-2WK) were significantly reduced compared with the high cholesterol group (CHOL-4WK). The lowering effect was significantly reinforced by RGWE administration. 3. Hepatic triglyceride level of CHOL-4WK group was markedly lower than that of the normal group (AIN-2WK). However, the level was significantly increased in CHOL-2WK and RGWE treated group. The result indicated that ginseng administration and diet conversion exert normalizing effects of hepatic function. 4. The lipid peroxide levels in RGWE treated groups were markedly lower than CHOL-2WK group. These results suggest that Korean red ginseng water extract can be useful as a dietary supplement for the treatment of obesity or hypercholesterolemia by improving lipid metabolism and hepatic function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of red ginseng product and combined exercise on the changes of blood lipids(total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride) and body composition (weight, % body fat) of obese women in their twenties. The experiments were performed with 21 women who had up to 30% body fat. They were randomly assigned into three groups [CON : control group (n=7), EXPI : red ginseng product group (n=7), EXP2 red ginseng product + exercise group (n=7)]. EXPI group and EXP2 group took red ginseng product for 12 weeks, and especially EXP2 group performed combined three-times-a-week exercise during the experiments period, too. The blood of each group was also sampled for three times (before experiments, after 8 weeks, after 12 weeks) to know the changes of blood lipid profile. Weight and %body fat were measured by body composition analyser. After 12 weeks, weight increased in CON group, but decreased in EXP1 and EXP2 group significantly. %body fat significantly decreased in EXP1 and EXP2 group, but not in CON group. When other two groups steadily increased in TC, EXP2 group constantly decreased, although there was no significant difference. After 12 weeks, while CON group and EXP2 group decreased within narrow limits in HDL-C, EXPI group was showing a rising tendency. But couldn't find any significant difference. Between the 8th and the 12th week, CON group and EXPI group were showing a rising tendency in LDL-C. But there was little change in EXP2 group. The results of ANOVA didn't show any significant difference. In TG, CON group and EXP2 group had little change. On the other hand, EXPI group steadily decreased. But there was no significant difference. In conclusion, with the 12-week experiments, weight and %body tat significantly decreased by red ginseng product and combined exercise which could derive profitable changes from blood lipids-especially total cholesterol, HDL-C, TG.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 2005.05a
• /
• pp.8-11
• /
• 2005