• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-38
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• 1997

We investigated the effects of ginseng protopanaxadiol (PD) and protopanaxatriol (PT) saponins on the spontaneous contractility of intestine. Treatment with PD saponins showed a slight inhibition of spontaneous contraction of rabbit jejunum. In contrast, PT saponins showed much larger inhibition with dose-dependent manner in a range of 25~250 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml. The inhibitory effect by PT saponins was not desensitized with continuous presence of PT saponins for several minutes. In addition, leu-enkephalin (1 PM) also inhibited the spontaneous contraction of rabbit jejunum but the in- hibition by leu-enkephalin was desensitized rapidly. The presence of PT saponins prevented the desenstization induced by leu-enkephalin. In conclusion, we found that PT saponins exert inhibition of spontaneous contractility of rabbit jejunum and the pattern of inhibition is different from that of opioid.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.179-182
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• 1991

The relationship between the brain monoamines and morphine tolerance was examined in ginseng total saponins treated mice. Ginseng total saponins (100 mg/kg, i.p.) did not antagonize morphine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) analgesia in mice. Daily treatment with ginseng total saponins (100 mg/kg) did not affect the brain levels of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin for 5 days but inhibited the development of morphine tolerance. This inhibition of the development of morphine tolerance was not attributed to the reductions of brain noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin in mice treated with ginseng total saponins (100 mg/kg) daily. This result suggest that a newly equilibrated state of neurologic function may involve an underlying mechanism in mice treated with ginseng total saponins.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.122-126
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• 1995

The effects of treating bovine heart mitochondria with potassium chloride and surfactants such as digitonin and n-dodecy-$\beta$-maltoside (DMS) including plant saponins on extracting cytochrome c were examined. The spectra given by the cytochrome c-containing solutions from the extraction were inspected to ascertain whether ginseng and bellflower saponins could be used instead of the generally- employed surfactants of digitonin and DMS. These studies implied that the effect of ginseng saponins is superior to that of digitonin but inferior to that of DMS, and give rise to the idea of substitutional property of ginseng saponins for the widely-employed surfactants in the extraction of mitochondria intermembrane cytochrome c. The substitution for the solubilizing surfactants by bellflower saponins could, however, not presumably be anticipated; while ginseng saponin mixture are a suitable substitute.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1974.09a
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• pp.77-93
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• 1974

The sapogenins of two-and four-year-old A-merican ginseng plants (Panax quinquefolium L.) (Araliaceae) collected in July and September were studied. American ginseng saponins (panaquilins) differ from Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) saponins (ginsenosides). The American ginseng saponins separated and named were panaquilins A, B, C, D, E-l, E-2, E-3, G-l, G-2, (c) and (d). One-dimensional thin-layer chromatography did not completely separate panaquilin mixture and were subject to misinterpretation. The panaquilins were more accurately separated and identified by the two-dimensional thin-layer method established. Some differences in American ginseng saponins were dependent upon the plant age, time of collection, and part extracted. The American ginseng sapogenin components are panxadiol (panaquilins B and C), oleanolic acid (panaquilin D) and panaxatriol (panaquilin G-l). The panaquilins E-l, E-2 and E-3 mixture contains both panaxadiol and panaxatriol. The genins of panaquilins A, (c), (d) and G-2 were not identified. In addition, ${\beta}-sitosterol$ and stigmasterol were identified from the root ether extracts.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.126-130
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• 2005

Ginseng saponins have been known as main active principles and are quantified as the index components of ginseng and its products for quality control. However ginseng saponins are easily hydrolyzed in acidic solutions of crude drug preparations. Due to the hydrolysis of saponins in acidic condition, it is generally difficult to determine ginseng saponins In crude drug preparations. Ginseng saponins, prosapogenins and sapogenins of crude drug extracts were quantified by HPLC. Ginseng saponins were quantified by HPLC on $Lichrosorb-NH_2$ column with acetonitrile/water/1-butanol(80:20:10, v/v). Ginseng $prosapogenin-Rg_2$ and $-Rg_2$ were extracted with ethyl acetate from $50\%$ acetic acid hydrolyzates of saponin fractions and quantified by HPLC on $Lichrosorb-NH_2$ column with acetonitrile/water(90:10, v/v). Ginseng sapogenins, panafadiol and panaxatriol, were extracted with diethyl ether from $7\%-sulfuric$ acid hydrolyzates of saponin fractions and quantified by HPLC on ${\mu}-Bondapak\;C_{18}$ column with acetonitrile/methano1/chloroform(83:10:7, v/v). These methods of analyses of sapogenins and prosapogenins were more useful for quality control than those of ginseng saponins in some of crude drug preparations.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2 s.66
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• pp.103-110
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of ginseng saponins and commercial surfactants such as Triton X-100, sodium deoxycholate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate on the gastric enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. Methods : Saponins (a surface-active plant component) from fresh ginseng root were extracted to examine its effect on the gastric enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. Commercial surfactants such as Triton X-100, sodium deoxycholate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate were also employed in the hydrolysis system to compare their effects with that of the ginseng saponins. The effects of surfactants on the gastric enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis were measured by using a spectrophotometer. A spectropolarimeter was used to examine the conformational change of enzymes and substrates by the addition of ginseng saponins into the system. Results : Both the tryptic and the peptic digestion of milk casein or eggalbumin were slightly improved with an increase in the amount of ginseng saponins in the system. Triton X-100 showed an effect similar to that of ginseng saponins, while sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium deoxycholate diminished the hydrolysis. Circular dichroism spectra of enzymes and substrates was significantly changed by the addition of ginseng saponins into the system. Conclusions : These results show that ginseng saponins affect positively the gastric enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis, and suggest that the digestion of substrates by gastric enzymes is affected by the change of enzyme conformation by ginseng saponins.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 1995

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of ginseng saponins [ginseng total saponin (GTS), protopanaxadiol saponin (PD) and protopanaxatriol saponin (PT)] on the hyperactivity, reverse tolerance and dopamine receptor super-sensitivity induced by cocaine. A single treatment with cocaine produced hyperactivity. Repeated administration of cocaine developed reverse tolerance and dopamine receptor super-sensitivity was also developed in reverse tolerant mice which had received the same cocaine. The hyperactivity and the developments of reverse tolerance and dopamine receptor super-sensitivity by cocaine were inhibited by ginseng saponins. From these results, it is proposed that ginseng saponins may be useful for the prevention and therapy of the adverse actions of cocaine. In addition, the rank order of inhibitory potential was observed as PT>GTS>PD. Key words Cocaine, hyperactivity, reverse tolerance, dopamine receptor super-sensitivity, ginseng saponins.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2010

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals. It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both ginsengs. Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best selling herbs in the US, and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years. In this article, after a brief introduction of the distribution and cultivation of American ginseng, we discuss chemical analysis of saponins from these two ginsengs, i.e., their similarities and differences. Subsequently, we review pharmacological effects of the saponins, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects. These investigations were mainly derived from American ginseng studies. We also discuss evidence suggesting that chemical modifications of ginseng saponins would be a valuable approach to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.287-298
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• 2015

Ginseng, a perennial plant belonging to the genus Panax of the Araliaceae family, is well known for its medicinal properties that help alleviate pathological symptoms, promote health, and prevent potential diseases. Among the active ingredients of ginseng are saponins, most of which are glycosides of triterpenoid aglycones. So far, numerous saponins have been reported as components of Panax ginseng, also known as Korean ginseng. Herein, we summarize available information about 112 saponins related to P. ginseng; >80 of them are isolated from raw or processed ginseng, and the others are acid/base hydrolysates, semisynthetic saponins, or metabolites.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1990.06a
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• pp.36-44
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• 1990

The analgesic effect of morphine was antagonized and the development of tolerance was suppressed by the modification of the neurologic function in the animals treated with ginseng saponins. The activation of the spinal descending inhibitory systems as well as the supraspinal structures by the administration of morphine was inhibited in the animals treated with ginseng saponins intracerebrally or intrathecally The development of morphine tolerance and dependence, and the abrupt expression of naloxone induced abstinence syndrome were also inhibited by ginsenoside Kbl , Rba, Rgl and Re. These results suggest that ginsenoside Kbl, Rba, Rgl and Re are the bioactive components of panax ginseng on the inhibition of the development of morphine tolerance and dependence, and the inhibition of abrupt abstinence syndrome. In addition, further research on the minor components of Panax ginseng should be investigated. A single or daily treatment with ginseng saponins did not induce any appreciable changes in the brain level of monoamines at the various time intervals and at the various day intervals, respectively The inhibitory or facilitated effects of ginseng saponins on electrically evoked contractions in guinea pig ileum (U-receptor) and mouse was definers (5·receptor) were not mediated through opioid receptors. The antagonism of a x receptor agonist, U-, iO.488H was also not mediated through opioid receptors in the animals treated with ginseng saponins, bolt mediated through serotonergic mechanisms. Ginseng saponins inhibited morphine S-dehydrogenase that catalyzed the production of morphine from morphine, and increased hepatic glutathione contents for the detoxification of morphine. This result suggests that the dual action of the above plays an important role in the inhibition of the development of morphine tolerance and dependence.