• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2016

Objectives: Ginseng Rh2+ is enzyme-treated ginseng extract containing high amounts of converted ginsenosides, such as compound k, Rh2, Rg3, which have potent anticancer activity. We conducted general and genetic toxicity tests to evaluate the safety of ginseng Rh2+. Methods: An acute oral toxicity test was performed at a high-level dose of 4,000 mg/kg/day in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. A 14-day range-finding study was also conducted to set dose levels for the 90-day study. A subchronic 90-day toxicity study was performed at dose levels of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day to investigate the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of ginseng Rh2+ and target organs. To identify the mutagenic potential of ginseng Rh2+, we conducted a bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test) using amino-acid-requiring strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli (E. coli), a chromosome aberration test with Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells, and an in vivo micronucleus test using ICR mice bone marrow as recommended by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Results: According to the results of the acute oral toxicity study, the approximate lethal dose (ALD) of ginseng Rh2+ was estimated to be higher than 4,000 mg/kg. For the 90-day study, no toxicological effect of ginseng Rh2+ was observed in body-weight changes, food consumption, clinical signs, organ weights, histopathology, ophthalmology, and clinical pathology. The NOAEL of ginseng Rh2+ was established to be 2,000 mg/kg/day, and no target organ was found in this test. In addition, no evidence of mutagenicity was found either on the in vitro genotoxicity tests, including the Ames test and the chromosome aberration test, or on the in vivo in mice bone marrow micronucleus test. Conclusion: On the basis of our findings, ginseng Rh2+ is a non-toxic material with no genotoxicity. We expect that ginseng Rh2+ may be used as a novel adjuvant anticancer agent that is safe for long-term administration.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.247-259
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• 1992

This study intended to measure the desorption and adsorption EMC of four years old Peeled ginseng, Unpeeled ginseng and Taegeuk ginseng under various conditions$20^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$, $40^{\circ}C$, $50^{\circ}C$) and five levels of relative humidity from 31% to 88%) by the static method. Four widely used EMC models were selected and evaluated. Also the empirical model was evaluated. The results are summarized as follows ; 1) EMC difference between ginseng size was not found but found between ginseng species. EMC difference between Peeled ginseng and Unpeeled ginseng was not found. EMC of Peeled ginseng and Unpeeled ginseng was higher than that of Taegeuk ginseng. 2) The hysteresis, which is difference between desorption and adsorption EMC, was found. Desorption EMC was higher than adsorption EMC. The hysteresis at the same temperature decreased as relative humidity increase. The difference of hysteresis between Peeled ginseng and Unpeeled ginseng was not large and the hysteresis of Taegeuk ginseng was smaller than those of other species. 3) Among the selected models, Henderson model was the best to predict the adsorption EMC of White ginseng(Peeled and Unpeeled ginseng), and Oswin model was the best to predict the desorption EMC of White ginseng and the desorption and adsorption EMC of Taegeuk ginseng. The models are as follows ; (a) White ginseng(Peeled and Unpeeled ginseng) ${\circ}$ Desorption EMC(Oswin model) : $$M=(0.1272-0.0007420T){\cdot}[RH/(1-RH)]^{(0.4164+0.001368T)}$$ ${\circ}$ Adsorption(Henderson model) : $$1-RH={\exp}[-0.0003480T_k\;{M_o}^{0.9231}]$$ (b) Taegeuk ginseng ${\circ}$ Desorption EMC(Oswin model) : $$M=(0.1051-0.0008439T)[RH/(1-RH)]^{(0.4553+0.003425T)}$$ ${\circ}$ Adsorption EMC(Oswin model) : $$M=(0.08247-0.0007559T){\cdot}[RH/(1-RH)]^{(0.5760+0.005540T)}$$ 4) The developed empirical models could predict the desorption and adsorption EMC for White and Taegeuk ginseng more precisely than selected models. The empirical models are as follows ; (a) White ginseng(Peeled and Unpeeled ginseng) ${\circ}$ Desorption EMC : $$M=0.124-0.000647T-0.216RH+0.373RH^2$$ ${\circ}$ Adsorption EMC : $$M=0.0879-0.000663T-0.197RH+0.399RH^2$$. (b) Taegeuk ginseng ${\circ}$ Desorption EMC : $$M=0.159-0.000728T-0.429RH+0.565RH^2$$ ${\circ}$ Adsorption EMC : $$M=0.123-0.000662T-0.384RH+0.555RH^2$$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.76-84
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• 2016

Objectives: We evaluated the anti-fatigue effects of Rh2-enriched Korean ginseng (Ginseng Rh2+) using a forced exercise-induced chronic fatigue mouse model. Methods: ICR male mice were subjected to running wheel for 1 h, 5 days/week during 4 weeks, and running velocity was gradually increased. Each running session was followed by oral administration of distilled water, Ginseng Rh2+ (150 or 300 mg/kg), or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 100 mg/kg) 1 h later. The exercise tolerance and forced swimming test were performed to evaluate the fatigue condition. Results: Chronic forced exercise reduced the physical activity, as evidenced by the behavioral tests, which were notably ameliorated by Ginseng Rh2+ treatment. Ginseng Rh2+ treatment also attenuated the alterations of energy metabolism and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle tissues and/or sera, including malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate concentration and its related factors (lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, and glucose levels). Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that Ginseng Rh2+ exerts a potent anti-fatigue effect through modulation of energy metabolism and oxidative response.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.347-352
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• 2004

When saponin extracts of dried ginseng and red ginseng were anaerobically incubated with human intestinal microflora, these extracts were metabolized to compound K and ginsenoside $Rh_2$, respectively. However, when these extracts were incubated with commercial lactic acid bacteria, these did not metabolize these ginsenosides to compound K or ginsenoside $Rh_2$. Among some intestinal bacteria isolated from human feces, Bacteroides C-35 and C-36 transformed these saponin extracts to compound K and ginsenoside $Rh_2$, respectively. These bacteria also transformed water extracts of dried ginseng and red ginseng to compound K and ginsenoside $Rh_2$, respectively, similarly with that of the saponin extracts. Among transformed ginsenosides, compound K and 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rh_2$ exhibited the most potent cyotoxicity against tumor cells.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.19-22
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• 2001

It was reported that Red ginseng contains specific ginsenoside-Rg$_2$,-Rg$_3$,-Rh$_1$and -Rh$_2$, which show various pharmacological effects. However, production of these specific ginsenosides from Red ginseng is not commercially applicable because of high cost of the raw material, roots. This work was carried out to examine the production of Red ginseng specific ginsenosides from Agrobacterium-transformed hairy roots. Hairy roots were induced from 3 year-old root segment of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) after infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4. Among many lines of hairybroots, KGHR-8A was selected. Steam heat treatment of hairy roots was resulted in the changes of ginsenoside composition. Eleven ginsenosides were detected in heat-treated hairy roots but eight in freeze dried hairy roots. In heat treated hairy root, content of ginsenoside-Rb$_1$,Rb$_2$,Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, and Rg$_1$were decreased compared to those of freeze dried hairy roots. However, heat treatment strongly enhanced the amount of Red ginseng specific ginsenogides (ginsenoside-Rg$_2$,-Rg$_3$,-Rh$_1$and -Rh$_2$). Amounts of ginsenoside-Rg$_3$,-Rh$_1$and -Rh$_2$ in heat-treated hairy roots were 2.58, 3.62 and 1.08 mg/g dry wt, respectively, but these were detected as trace amount in hairy roots without heat treatment. Optimum condition of heat treatment for the production of Red ginseng specific ginsenoside was 2 h at 105$^{\circ}C$. This result represents that Red ginseng specific ginsenoside can be producted from hairy roots by steam heat treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.188-191
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• 1991

The mild hydrolysis of ginsenosie Re with 50% acetic acid gave a prosapogenin mixture, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg2. The products were acetylated to give the peracetates, which were further converted into 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh1 by the alcoholic alkaline treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2010

Objectives: The aim of this experiment is to provide an objective differentiation of cultivated ginseng, cultivated wild ginseng, and wild ginseng through component analysis, and to know the change of ginsenoside components in the process for making red ginseng. Methods: Comparative analysis of ginsenoside $Rb_1,\;Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, $Rg_1,\;Rg_3,\;Rh_1$ and $Rh_2$ from the cultivated ginseng 4 and 6 years, cultivated wild ginseng, and wild ginseng were conducted using High Performance Liquid Chromatography(hereafter HPLC). And the same analyses were conducted in the process of red ginseng. Results: 1. For content comparison of ginsenoside $Rb_1$, Rc, Rd, Rf, $Rg_1$ and $Rh_1$, wild ginseng showed high content, followed cultivated ginseng 4 and 6 years, cultivated wild ginseng showed low content than any other samples. 2. For content comparison of ginsenoside $Rb_2$ and Re, cultivated ginseng 4 years showed high content, followed wild ginseng and cultivated ginseng 6 years, cultivated wild ginseng showed low content than any other samples. 3. For content comparison of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, wild ginseng and cultivated wild ginseng were only showed low content. 4. For content comparison of ginsenoside $Rh_2$, cultivated wild ginseng was only showed low content. 5. In the process of red ginseng, ginsenoside $Rb_1,\;Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, $Rg_3$ and $Rh_1$ were increased, and ginsenoside Re and $Rg_1$ were decreased in cultivated wild ginseng. 6. In the process of red ginseng, ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and $Rh_1$ were increased, and ginsenoside $Rb_2$, Rc, and Re were decreased in cultivated ginseng 4 years. 7. In the process of red ginseng, ginsenoside $Rb_1,\;Rb_2$, Rf and $Rh_1$ were increased, and ginsenoside Rc and Rd were decreased in cultivated ginseng 6 years. Conclusions: Distribution of ginsenoside contents to the cultivated ginseng, cultivated wild ginseng, and wild ginseng was similar and was not showed special characteristics between samples. And the change of ginsenoside to the process of red ginseng, cultivated ginseng and cultivated wild ginseng were showed different aspect.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.244-252
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• 1998

Ginsenoside Rh, (G-Rh,) from Panax ginseng induced morphological features of apoptosis and DNA fragmentation as a biochemical marker of apoptosis confirmed by TUNEL reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis in human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2) and rat glioma C6Bu-1 cells During apoptosis by G-Rh2, protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms were analysed by immunoblotting. In SK-N-BE(2) cells, the levels of a, p and ${\gamma}$ subtypes were increased by undergoing apoptosis, while PKC e isoform increased early in treatment (3 h and 6 h). In addition, PKC s isoform gradually decreased during apoptosis by G-Rh2 and PKC $\theta$ isoform was detected in neither untreated- nor G-Rh1-treated SK-N-BE(2) cells (data not shown). However, no significant changes in the level of S and s isoforms were observed in C6Bu-1 cells undergoing apoptosis by G-Rh2. These results suggest that PKC subtypes may play differential roles in apoptotic signal pathways and their roles can be cell type-specific in apoptosis induced by G-Rh2.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.114-116
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• 1995

Panax ginseng ginsenosides were examined for their affects on the DNA synthesis. The DNA 1 synthesis was measured by the thymidine incorporation into NIH3T3 cells. The ginsenoside, panaxytriol, $Rh_1$ and $Rh_2$ showed reduced [$^{3}H$]-thymidine incorporation. However, other ginsenosides of $Rh_1$, $Rh_2$ and $Rh_3$ did not inhibit DNA synthesis. Among the various ginsenosides, ginsenoside $Rh_2$ was found to be the most inhibitory on DNA synthesis. We suggest $Rh_2$ as one of the potential choice of antiproliferative drugs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.457-467
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• 2013

A quick and simple method for simultaneous determination of the 30 ginsenosides (ginsenoside Ro, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, 20(S)-Rg2, 20(R)-Rg2, 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, 20(S)-Rh1, 20(S)-Rh2, 20(R)-Rh2, F1, F2, F4, Ra1, Rg6, Rh4, Rk3, Rg5, Rk1, Rb3, Rk2, Rh3, compound Y, compound K, and notoginsenoside R1) in Panax ginseng preparations was developed and validated by an ultra performance liquid chromatography photo diode array detector. The separation of the 30 ginsenosides was efficiently undertaken on the Acquity BEH C-18 column with gradient elution with phosphoric acids. Especially the chromatogram of the ginsenoside Ro was dramatically enhanced by adding phosphoric acid. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits were 0.4 to 1.7 mg/L and the calibration curves of the peak areas for the 30 ginsenosides were linear over three orders of magnitude with a correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The accuracy of the method was tested by a recovery measurement of the spiked samples which yielded good results of 89% to 118%. From these overall results, the proposed method may be helpful in the development and quality of P. ginseng preparations because of its wide range of applications due to the simultaneous analysis of many kinds of ginsenosides.