• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.310-322
• /
• 2024

Background: Osteosarcopenia is a common condition characterized by the loss of both bone and muscle mass, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures and disability in older adults. The study aimed to elucidate the response of various mouse strains to treatment with Rg3, one of the leading ginsenosides, on musculoskeletal traits and immune function, and their correlation. Methods: Six Collaborative Cross (CC) founder strains induced muscle atrophy and bone loss with dexamethasone (15 mg/kg) treatment for 1 month, and half of the mice for each strain were orally administered Rg3 (20 mg/kg). Different responses were observed depending on genetic background and Rg3 treatment. Results: Rg3 significantly increased grip strength, running performance, and expression of muscle and bone health-related genes in a two-way analysis of variance considering the genetic backgrounds and Rg3 treatment. Significant improvements in grip strength, running performance, bone area, and muscle mass, and the increased gene expression were observed in specific strains of PWK/PhJ. For traits related to muscle, bone, and immune functions, significant correlations between traits were confirmed following Rg3 administration compared with control mice. The phenotyping analysis was compiled into a public web resource called Rg3-OsteoSarco. Conclusion: This highlights the complex interplay between genetic determinants, pathogenesis of muscle atrophy and bone loss, and phytochemical bioactivity and the need to move away from single inbred mouse models to improve their translatability to genetically diverse humans. Rg3-OsteoSarco highlights the use of CC founder strains as a valuable tool in the field of personalized nutrition.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.34 no.4 s.135
• /
• pp.327-334
• /
• 2003

We evaluated the anti-arthritic effect of a new diet-supplement product containing red ginseng, glucosamine, shark cartilage, ascorbic acid and manganese chloride for the relieving arthritic symptoms. Anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of red ginseng (250 and 500 mg/kg), glucosamine (240 mg/kg) and shark cartilage (240 mg/kg) were tested individually on vascular permeability and carrageenan-induced paw edema. Glucosamine and shark cartilage showed the inhibition of vascular permeability by 29.6 and 32.9%, respectively. Red ginseng (500 mg/kg) and shark cartilage showed the inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hr. The supplement (red ginseng mixture: RGM) composed of red ginseng (43.5%), glucosamine (25.0%), shark cartilage (25.0%), ascorbic acid (5.0%) and manganese chloride (1.5%) was prepared and its inhibitory activities including vascular permeability and carrageenan-induced paw edema were comparable to anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac and ibuprofen. It was also tested on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats as one of chronic arthritic tests and Randall-Selitto assay as an analgesic test. RGM showed the inhibition against the swelling of rat paws induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis at a dose of 1,500 mg/kg. Determination of cytokines of the sera sampled from arthritis-induced animals indicated that RGM increased the levels of $interferon-{\gamma}$ and interleukin-6, representing the immunostimulatory effect by red ginseng. RGM treatment moderately reduced the production of NO in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results support that RGM can be applicable for the improvement of arthritic as a new diet-supplement.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.42-49
• /
• 2018

Background: Ginsenoside F1 has been described to possess skin-whitening effects on humans. We aimed to synthesize a new ginsenoside derivative from F1 and investigate its cytotoxicity and melanogenesis inhibitory activity in B16BL6 cells using recombinant glycosyltransferase enzyme. Glycosylation has the advantage of synthesizing rare chemical compounds from common compounds with great ease. Methods: UDP-glycosyltransferase (BSGT1) gene from Bacillus subtilis was selected for cloning. The recombinant glycosyltransferase enzyme was purified, characterized, and utilized to enzymatically transform F1 into its derivative. The new product was characterized by NMR techniques and evaluated by MTT, melanin count, and tyrosinase inhibition assay. Results: The new derivative was identified as (20S)-$3{\beta},6{\alpha},12{\beta}$,20-tetrahydroxydammar-24-ene-20-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside(ginsenoside Ia), which possesses an additional glucose linked into the C-3 position of substrate F1. Ia had been previously reported; however, no in vitro biological activity was further examined. This study focused on the mass production of arduous ginsenoside Ia from accessible F1 and its inhibitory effect of melanogenesis in B16BL6 cells. Ia showed greater inhibition of melanin and tyrosinase at $100{\mu}mol/L$ than F1 and arbutin. These results suggested that Ia decreased cellular melanin synthesis in B16BL6 cells through downregulation of tyrosinase activity. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the mass production of rare ginsenoside Ia from F1 using recombinant UDP-glycosyltransferase isolated from B. subtillis and its superior melanogenesis inhibitory activity in B16BL6 cells as compared to its precursor. In brief, ginsenoside Ia can be applied for further study in cosmetics.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.62-62
• /
• 2001

The cigarette ventilation affects not only the amount of tar and nicotine delivery by a cigarette, but also the composition of the smoke. Therefore, it is important to stabilize of variability in cigarette ventilation that would be affected by changes in cigarette components. This work was conducted to determine the major factors that influence the cigarette ventilation and also to provide fundamental informations for improving the uniformity of cigarette performances. To evaluate the effect of cigarette ventilation as a dependant variable, the three independent factors were the air permeability of plugwrap, tipping paper and the filter pressure drop. We determined the effect of paper permeability on ventilation variability and the optimum condition in combinations of independent factors. The mean of cigarette ventilation was increased as plugwrap permeability increases, particularly at 26,000 CU. However, it was exhibited that standard deviation and coefficient of variation of the cigarette ventilation were decreased with increasing plugwrap permeability. At the 600 CU and 1,200 CU of tipping paper permeability, process capability index (Cp) of the cigarette ventilation increased as plugwrap permeability increases. Following the optimum condition of cigarette ventilation induced by fitted regression equation, one was to optimize 50% ventilation level is by combination with plugwrap permeability of 16,000 CU, tipping paper permeability of 810 CU, filter pressure drop of 319 mm$H_2O$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.509-522
• /
• 2015

Organic ginseng farming has rapidly increased in response to consumer demand for a safe product which improves health. Differences in soil nutrient concentration and ginsenoside content between organic and conventional ginseng farming have, however, not yet been properly studied. Therefore the aim of the present study was to compare soil nutrient concentration and ginsenoside content between these two farming systems. $NO_3-N$, $P_2O_5$, and K were significantly different between organic and conventional ginseng farming. The total content of ginsenoside and individual ginsenoside components were higher in organically grown ginseng than in ginseng from conventional farming, although there is no significant difference. Particularly, protopanaxadiol saponins were higher than protopanaxatriol saponins in ginseng from organic farming compared to ginseng produced by conventional farming. $NO_3-N$ content in soils showed a negative correlation with the content of ginsenosides $Rb_2$ and Rd. In addition, $P_2O_5$ showed a negative correlation with ginsenosides $Rb_1$, Rc, and PD/PT ratio. Organic matter showed a positive crrelation with ginsenosides Re. To increase the ginsenoside content of ginseng, we recommend increasing organic matter and decreasing $NO_3-N$ and $P_2O_5$ contents in the soil.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.111-131
• /
• 2002

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) received a great deal of attention from the Orient and West as a tonic agent, health food and/or alternative herbal therapeutic agent. However, controversy with respect to scientific evidence on pharmacological effects especially, evaluation of clinical efficacy and the methodological approach still remains to be solved. Author reviewed those articles published since 1980 when pharmacodynamic studies on ginseng have intensively started. Special concern was paid on metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders, malignant tumor, sexual dysfunction, and physical and mental performance to give clear information to those who are interested in pharmacological study of ginseng and to promote its clinical use. With respect to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malignant disorders, and sexual disorders, it seems that ginseng plays preventive and restorative role rather than therapeutics. Particularly, ginseng plays a significant role in ameliorating subjective symptoms and preventing quality of life from deteriorating by long term exposure of chemical therapeutic agents. Also it seems that the potency of ginseng is mild, therefore it could be more effective when used concomitantly with conventional therapy. Clinical studies on the tonic effect of ginseng on work performance demonstrated that physical and mental dysfunction induced by various stresses are improved by increasing adaptability of physical condition. However, the results obtained from clinical studies cannot be mentioned in the indication, which are variable upon the scientist who performed those studies. In this respect, standardized ginseng product and providing planning of the systematic clinical research in double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the real efficacy for proposing ginseng indication. Pharmacological mode of action of ginseng has not yet been fully elucidated. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic researches reveal that the role of ginseng not seem to be confined to a given single organ. It has been known that ginseng plays a beneficial role in such general organs as central nervous, endocrine, metabolic, immune systems, which means ginseng improves general physical and mental conditons. Such multivalent effect of ginseng can be attributed to the main active component of ginseng,ginsenosides or non-saponin compounds which are also recently suggested to be another active ingredients. As is generally the similar case with other herbal medicines, effects of ginseng cannot be attributed as a given single compound or group of components. Diversified ingredients play synergistic or antagonistic role each other and act in harmonized manner. A few cases of adverse effect in clinical uses are reported, however, it is not observed when standardized ginseng products are used and recommended dose was administered. Unfavorable interaction with other drugs has also been suggested, which the information on the products and administered dosage are not available. However, efficacy, safety, interaction or contraindication with other medicines has to be more intensively investigated in order to promote clinical application of ginseng. For example, daily recommended doses per day are not agreement as 1-2g in the West and 3-6 g in the Orient. Duration of administration also seems variable according to the purpose. Two to three months are generally recommended to feel the benefit but time- and dose-dependent effects of ginseng still need to be solved from now on. Furthermore, the effect of ginsenosides transformed by the intestinal microflora, and differential effect associated with ginsenosides content and its composition also should be clinically evaluated in the future. In conclusion, the more wide-spread use of ginseng as a herbal medicine or nutraceutical supplement warrants the more rigorous investigations to assess its effacy and safety. In addition, a careful quality control of ginseng preparations should be done to ensure an acceptable standardization of commercial products.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.258-264
• /
• 2017

This study analyzed the seeds of Zizyphus jujuba var. inermis commonly used as a remedy in traditional Chinese medicine, in order to determine its various biologically active compounds. Through process 3-pentadecylcatechol, ${\rho}$-menth-8-ene, and ${\gamma}$-bisabolene were isolated and identified for the first time which are urushiol, monoterpenoidal, and sesquiterpenoidal compounds, respectively. Also, found were another sesquiterpenoidal compounds, vomifoliol, and four steroidal compounds, ${\beta}$-sitosterol, stigmasterol, stigmasta-5,23-dien-$3{\beta}$-ol, and stigmast-4-en-3-one. In addition, fourteen triterpenoidal compounds were isolated and identified. These were lupeol, betulinic acid, betulinaldehyde, alphitolic acid, 3-O-cis-${\rho}$-coumaroyl-alphitolic acid, 3-O-trans-${\rho}$-coumaroyl-alphitolic acid, 2-O-cis-${\rho}$-coumaroyl-alphitolic acid, 2-O-trans-${\rho}$-coumaroyl-alphitolic acid, zizyberanalic acid, ceanothic acid, oleanolic acid, maslinic acid, 3-O-cis-${\rho}$-coumaroyl-maslinic acid, and 3-O-trans-${\rho}$-coumaroyl-maslinic acid. The structures were identified by comparing of the spectroscopic experiments, NMR and MS, and then compared that reported data, respectively. Three extracts of water, methanol, and chloroform from the seeds showed a weak anti-proliferative effect, anti-microbial activity, and anti-oxidant effect, respectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.220-225
• /
• 2012

To develop a ginseng product possessing an efficacy for diabetes, ginseng radix ethanol extract was treated with pectinase and obtained the GINST. In the present study, we evaluate the beneficial effect of GINST on high fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and action mechanism(s) in ICR mice. The mice were randomly divided into five groups: regular diet group (RD), high fat diet group (HFD), HFD plus GINST at 75 mg/kg (GINST75), 150 mg/kg (GINST150), and 300 mg/kg (GINST300). Oral glucose tolerance test reveals that GINST improves the glucose tolerance after glucose challenge. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were decreased by 4.3% and 4.2% in GINST75, 10.9% and 20.0% in GINST150, and 19.6% and 20.9% in GINST300 compared to those in HFD control group. Insulin resistance indices were also markedly decreased by 8.2% in GINST75, 28.7% in GINST150, and 36.4% in GINST300, compared to the HFD control group. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acid levels in the GINST300 group were decreased by 13.5%, 22.7% and 24.1%, respectively, compared to those in HFD control group. Enlarged adipocytes of HFD control group were markedly decreased in GINST-treated groups, and shrunken islets of HFD control mice were brought back to near normal shape in GINST300 group. Furthermore, GINST enhanced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). In summary, GINST prevents HFD-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia through reducing insulin resistance via activating AMPK-GLUT4 pathways, and could be a potential therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.459-465
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the application possibility of leaf and stem extract(LSE) extracted from mixture of leaf and stem of ginseng radix (Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer). We conducted analysis of the ginsenoside content by HPLC. Also we investigate the effects of the LSE on the reduction of serum lipid and improvement of blood parameters in rats fed high fat diet 5 weeks. We examined by analyzing the serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and atherogenic index and hematological datas and serum metabolic variables. Sprague-Dawley rat weigh $150\;g\;{\pm}\;15\;g$, were ramdomly assigned to 4 groups, basal diet only(BDG), high fat diet weithout LSE(FDCG), high fat diet and 10% LSE(FD10G), high fat diet and 20% LSE(FD20G). The result of this study were as follow. Hematological datas of 4 groups were same level, which were not significant. The activities of ALP, GOT and LDH level were significantly different. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride contentrations in serum and atherogenic index were remarkably reduced in LSE supplemented groups as compared high fat control groups. These result imply that LSE could be used as possible for decrease of serum lipid concentration.

• Journal of Photoscience
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.129-133
• /
• 2005

The psbC gene, encoding the intrinsic chlorophyll-binding protein of CP43, one of the PS core complex polypeptides, was cloned from the Panax ginseng chloroplast, which is composed of 1,422 nucleotides and the overall nucleotide sequence shows more than 84% identity to those of eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms. The predicted topology of CP43, based on hydropathy analysis, includes six membrane-spanning ${\alpha}-helices$ resulting in three lumenal and four stromal loops. The putative translation start codon for the psbC gene is located at 48 nucleotides upstream from the stop codon of the psbD gene whose product is also a component of the PSII reaction center, implying that the promoter of the psbC gene is possibly located in the middle of the structural gene of the psbD gene. Northern blot analysis of the in vivo accumulation of the psbC transcript from the plants grown under the various growth light intensities (5%, 10%, 20%, and 100%) of daylight indicated that the steady-state level of the psbC transcript was not significantly affected by light intensity.