• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2453-2459
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• 2014

Ginsenoside Rg1 is one effective anticancer and antioxidant constituent of total saponins of Panax ginseng (TSPG), which has been shown to have various pharmacological effects. Our previous study demonstrated that Rg1 had anti-tumor activity in K562 leukemia cells. The aim of this study was designed to investigate whether Rg1 could induce apoptosis in TF-1/Epo cells and further to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here we found that Rg1 could inhibit TF-1/Epo cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in vitro in a concentration and time dependent manner. It also suppressed the expression of EpoR on the surface membrane and inhibited JAK2/STAT5 pathway activity. Rg1 induced up-regulation of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and C-PAPR protein and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and AG490, a JAK2 specific inhibitor, could enhance the effects of Rg1. Our studies showed that EpoR-mediated JAK2/STAT5 signaling played a key role in Rg1-induced apoptosis in TF-1/Epo cells. These results may provide new insights of Rg1 protective roles in the prevention a nd treatment of leukemia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.405-412
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• 2020

Background: Root rot is a serious destructive disease of Panax notoginseng, a famous cultivated araliaceous herb called Sanqi or Tianqi in Southwest China. Methods: The chemical substances of Sanqi rot roots were explored by chromatographic techniques. MS, 1D/2D-NMR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction were applied to determine the structures. Murine macrophage RAW264.7 and five human cancer cell lines were used separately for evaluating the antiinflammatory and cytotoxic activities. Results and Conclusion: Thirty dammarane-type triterpenes and saponins were isolated from the rot roots of P. notoginseng. Among them, seven triterpenes, namely, 20(S)-dammar-25-ene-24(S)-hydroperoxyl-3β,6α,12β,20-tetrol (1), 20(S)-dammar-3-oxo-23-ene-25-hydroperoxyl-6α,12β,20-triol (2), 20(S)-dammar-12-oxo-23-ene-25-hydroperoxyl-3β,6α,20-triol (3), 20(S)-dammar-3-oxo-23-ene-25-hydroperoxyl-12β,20-diol (4), 20(S),24(R)-epoxy-3,4-seco-dammar-25-hydroxy-12-one-3-oic acid (5), 20(S),24(R)-epoxy-3,4-seco-dammar-25-hydroxy-12-one-3-oic acid methyl ester (6), and 6α-hydroxy-22,23,24,25,26,27-hexanordammar-3,12,20-trione (7), are new compounds. In addition, 12 known ones (12-16 and 19-25) were reported in Sanqi for the first time. The new Compound 1 showed comparable antiinflammatory activity on inhibition of NO production to the positive control, whereas the known compounds 9, 12, 13, and 16 displayed moderate cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines. The results will provide scientific basis for understanding the chemical constituents of Sanqi rot roots and new candidates for searching antiinflammatory and antitumor agents.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.757-769
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• 2020

Background: Panax quinquefolius and Panax notoginseng are widely used and well known for their pharmacological effects. As main pharmacological components, saponins have different distribution patterns in the root tissues of Panax plants. Methods: In this study, the representative ginsenosides were detected and quantified by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis to demonstrate saponin distribution in the root tissues of P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng, and saponin metabolite profiles were analyzed by metabolomes to obtain the biomarkers of different root tissues. Finally, the transcriptome analysis was performed to demonstrate the molecular mechanisms of saponin distribution by gene profiles. Results: There was saponin distribution in the root tissues differed between P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng. Eight-eight and 24 potential biomarkers were detected by metabolome analysis, and a total of 340 and 122 transcripts involved in saponin synthesis that were positively correlated with the saponin contents (R > 0.6, P < 0.05) in the root tissues of P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng, respectively. Among them, GDPS1, CYP51, CYP64, and UGT11 were significantly correlated with the contents of Rg1, Re, Rc, Rb2, and Rd in P. quinquefolius. UGT255 was markedly related to the content of R1; CYP74, CYP89, CYP100, CYP103, CYP109, and UGT190 were markedly correlated with the Rd content in P. notoginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.627-636
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• 2020

Background: Cultivation of medicinal crops, which synthesize hundreds of substances for curative functions, was focused on the synthesis of secondary metabolites rather than biomass accumulation. Nutrition is an important restrict factor for plant growth and secondary metabolites, but little attention has been given to the plasticity of nutrient uptake and secondary metabolites synthesis response to soil nitrogen (N) change. Methods: Two year-field experiments of Sanqi (Panax notoginseng), which can synthesize a high level of saponin in cells, were conducted to study the effects of N application on the temporal dynamics of biomass, nutrient absorption, root architecture and the relationships between these parameters and saponin synthesis. Results: Increasing N fertilizer rates could improve the dry matter yields and nutrient absorption ability through increasing the maximum daily growth (or nutrient uptake) rate. Under suitable N level (225 kg/ha N), Sanqi restricted the root length and surface and enhanced the root diameter and N uptake rate per root length (NURI) to promote nutrient absorption, but the opposite status of Sanqi root architecture and NURI was found when soil N was deficient. Furthermore, increasing N rates could promote the accumulation of saponin in roots through improving the NURI, which showed a significant positive relationship with the content of saponin in the taproots. Conclusion: Appropriate N fertilizer rates could optimize both root architecture and nutrient uptake efficiency, then promote both the accumulation of dry matter and the synthesis of saponins.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 1988

The effect of Panaxadiol(PD), which is an active component of Korean Ginseng Saponins, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the rabbit adrenal gland and its mode of action were investigated in the present study. $PD(400{\mu}g)$ increased significantly the secretion of CA from the isolated perfused rabbit adrenal gland. PD-induced secretion of CA was reduced markedly by treatment of atropine, CA secretion induced by Ach or PD was potentiated significantly by physostigmine-treatment. Chlorisondamine did inhibit CA secretion of PD or Ach. Perfusion of $PD(400{\mu}g)$ for 30 min enhanced the secretory activity of CA by Ach. Ouabain weakened the secretory response induced by PD but rather enhanced the response by Ach. Adenosine-treatment resulted in marked enhancement of CA secretion by PD or Ach, Pefusion with $Ca^{2+}-free$ Krebs containing EGTA (5 mM) for about 30 min totally blocked secretory effect induced by Ach and also weakened that by PD. From the above experimental results, it is suggested that PD causes secretion of catecholamines from the rabbit adrenal gland by a calcium-dependent exocytotic mechanism. The secretory effect of PD is due to the stimulation of cholinergic muscarinic and nicotinic receptors present in the adrenal gland and partly to a direct action on the chromaffin cell itself.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 1998

SB-31 which contains Pursatilla, Licoris and Ginseng extracts was recently proved as an anticancer agent. In a preclinical effort to be applied this drug to human, pharmacokinetics of SB-31 was carried out in rats and rabbits. Glycyrrhizin(GZ), a saponin of Licoris was used as a standard ingradient for the pharmacokinetics of SB-31. The rat's blood, bile and urine samples were serially collected in femoral vein, common bile duct and bladder, respectively, after bolus i.v. injection at a dose of 1 or 1/5 ampul/rat and rabbit's blood samples from the marginal ear vein at a dose of 1 or 3 amp./rabbit. GZ and glycyrrhetic acid(GA), a major metabolite of GZ in the physiological samples were analysed by HPLC with UV detection. The decline of GZ in plasma concentration was generally biexponential at each dose. GZ was almost completely recovered in bile within 18 hour. GA wasn't detected in the samples with UV detector. In the rat, Vss and Kel at a dose of 1 and 1/5 ampul of SB-31 were $98.06\pm6.07\;ml,\;0.33\pm0.05\;hr^{-1}\;and\;65.46\pm11.19\;ml,\;0.68\pm0.25\;hr^{-1}$, respectively. Those in rabbits at a dose of 3 and 1 ampul of SB-31 were $235.24\pm30.72\;ml,\;0.13\pm0.36\;hr^{-1}\;and\;341.32\pm28.58\;ml,\;0.27\pm0.04\;hr^{-1}$, respectively. 'WinNonlin' was utilized for the compartmental analysis. A two-compartment model was chosen as the most appropriate pbarmaco-kinetic model. The data were best described by using a weighting factor of $1/y^2$. To evaluate the effect of SB-31 on cardiovascular system, serially diluted SB-31 was directly injected into coronary artery in the isolated perfused rat heart and the effect of PSF, PSH, saponins of Pursatilla, and SB-31 on PT, APTT of healthy human plasma was examined. Except the positive inotropic effect of ten times diluted solution of SB-31, there was no significant effect on LVDP, (- dp/dt)/(+dp/dt), heart rate and coronary flow in comparision with that of vehicle. SB-31 had no effect on PT but slightly delayed APTT about $6.9{\sim}11.5\%$. There was no significant effect of PSF and PSH on PT & APTT. Conclusively, SB-31 did not show any notable toxic effects on cardiovascular system.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.86-98
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• 2021

This study was designed to characterize the effect of ginsenoside-Rg2 (Rg2), one of panaxatriol saponins isolated from Korean ginseng root, on the release of catecholamines (CA) in the perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla, and also to establish its mechanism of action. Rg2 (3~30 µM), administered into an adrenal vein for 90 min, depressed acetylcholine (ACh)-induced CA secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Rg2 also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion induced by 3-(m-chloro-phenyl-carbamoyl-oxy)-2-butynyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (McN-A-343), 1.1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium iodide (DMPP), and angiotensin II (Ang II). Also, during perfusion of Rg2, the CA secretion induced by high K⁺, veratridine, cyclopiazonic acid, methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoro-methyl-phenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay-K-8644) depressed, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of Rg2 and N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride ʟ-NAME), the CA secretion induced by ACh, Ang II, Bay-K-8644 and veratridine was restored nearly to the extent of their corresponding control level, respectively, compared to those of inhibitory effects of Rg2-treatment alone. Virtually, NO release in adrenal medulla following perfusion of Rg2 was significantly enhanced in comparison to the corresponding spontaneous release. Also, in the coexistence of Rg2 and fimasartan, ACh-induced CA secretion was markedly diminished compared to the inhibitory effect of fimasartan-treated alone. Collectively, these results demonstrated that Rg2 suppressed the CA secretion induced by activation of cholinergic as well as angiotensinergic receptors from the perfused model of the rat adrenal gland. This Rg2-induced inhibitory effect seems to be exerted by reducing both influx of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ through their ionic channels into the adrenomedullary cells as well as by suppressing Ca²⁺ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least through the elevated NO release by activation of NO synthase, which is associated to the blockade of neuronal cholinergic and AT₁-receptors. Based on these results, the ingestion of Rg2 may be helpful to alleviate or prevent the cardiovascular diseases, via reduction of CA release in adrenal medulla and consequent decreased CA level in circulation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.415-423
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• 1995

This study was conducted to analyze the chemical composition, nutritional contents, and saponin in the xylem sap of Acer mono Max. From Feb 25 to Mar 4, 1994, spring sap was collected by making holes with 1.7cm diameter on the trunk of trees in Mt. Baekwoon and Mt. Jiri. Sugars were quantified by HPIC, amino acids by amino acid analyzer, saponins by TLC, HPLC, and $^1H$ & $^{13}C$ NMR. Major component of the sap was sucrose at a concentration range of 0.68 to 2.01%. Following minor components were found: glucose at 0.03-0.11%, and fructose at 0.01-0.03% as sugars, lipid at 0.03%, threonine at 0.152%, lysine at 0.038%, arginine at 0.068% as amino acids, ash at 0.1%, Ca at 175ppm, Fe at 2ppm, P at 19ppm, K at 16ppm, Na at 31ppm as minerals, vitamin $B_1$ at 0.6ppm, vit. $B_2$ at 0.1ppm, and vit. C at 19ppm. A trace of phenolic compounds was found by TLC, while saponin commonly reported in high-quality ginseng roots was not found in maple sap. It is concluded that sap of Acer mono contains a good variety of natural compounds such as sugars, amino acids, Ca, Fe, and vitamins to serve as an excellent source of very natural and health-promoting drink.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 1998

As a fundermental research for quality stailization of herb extract, the effects of water activity on microbial growth in herb extract were investigated. Herbs-Panax ginseng, Cinnamomum cassia, Lycium chinense, Zyzyphus jujuba, Lindera obtusilobum-were mixed and extracted with water at $80^{\circ}C$ and concentrated at $75^{\circ}C$. Water activity of the herb extract was adjusted to 0.86, 0.80 and 0.69, using water activity analyzer. The extracts were incubated for 180 days at $40^{\circ}C$ and then examined microbial cell counts and some physicochemical properties. In the extract of $a_{w}$ 0.86, 18 CFU/g of initial viable cell was increased to 80 CFU/g with 90 days of incubation and to 190 CFU/g 180 days of incubation. In the extract of $a_{w}$ 0.80, 24 CFU/g of initial viable cell was also increased to 83 CFU/g during the 90 days of incubation and to 170 CFU/ g for the 180 days of incubation. However, in the extract of $a_{w}$ 0.69, viable cell after 180 days of incubation was remained at almost the same level as initial viable cell. pH of herb extract was reduced in proportion to the decrease in water activity. The TLC (thin layer chromatography) patterns of ginseng saponins of herb extract did not show any significant changes after 180 days of incubation. Growth of pathogenic microorganisms was inhibited more with lower water activity of the herb extracts. In the herb extract inoculated with Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, initial viable cells of 150 and 140 CFU/g were decreased to 30 and 20 CFU/g, repectively, after 30 days of incubation at $28^{\circ}C$. In the case of herb extract inoculated with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, growth of the bacteria was totally inhibited even after 30 days of incubation at $37^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of saponin contained plant extracts on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and methane production. Ruminal fluid was collected from rumen cannulated Hanwoo steers fed rice straw and concentrate (5:5). Collected rumen fluids, corn starch and buffer including saponin contained plant extracts (ginseng, Ogapi, soapwort, tea plant and yucca; 0.5%/15 ml) were incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. All incubations were repeated five times. Rumen pH in all treatments was lower (p<0.05) compared with that of the control (no addition) during incubation time. The concentration of total VFA in all treatments was higher (p<0.05) than that of the control after 12h incubation. Compared with the control, the concentration of acetate and propionate in all treatments was lower and higher after 6h incubation, respectively. The concentration of $NH_3$-N in all treatments was lower (p<0.05) than that of the control except for Ogapi or yucca extracts supplementation. The number of protozoa in all treatments was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of the control except for soapwort extract supplementation. The total gas production and methane production in all treatments was higher (p<0.05) and lower (p<0.05) compared with the control, except for ogapi or soapwort extracts supplementation after 12h incubation, respectively. Therefore, reduction in methane production by saponins may could be results from decreased protozoal population without any negative in vitro fermentation.