• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been shown to enhance endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in experimental animals; however, little is known about its pharmacological effects on vascular stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was carried out to determine whether KRG has beneficial effects on arterial stiffness, cardiovascular risk factors such as plasma lipid profiles and blood pressure (BP), and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) activity. Twenty patients (mean age, 62.5 years) with stable angina pectoris were given KRG (2.7 g/day) and a placebo alternatively for 10 weeks. Blood biochemical analysis and pulse wave velocity (PWV) recording were performed on day 0 and after the completion of each treatment. ROCK activity was assessed based on the level of phospho-$Thr^{853}$ in the myosin-binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase, determined by Western blot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. KRG significantly decreased the systolic BP, brachial ankle PWV, and heart femoral PWV in the patients (all p<0.05), but did not significantly alter the serum lipid profiles, including triglycerides and total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The ROCK activity tended to decrease (p=0.068) following KRG treatment. The placebo did not significantly alter any of the variables. In conclusion, KRG decreased systolic BP and arterial stiffness, probably via the inhibition of ROCK activity, in patients with CAD, but had a neutral effect on serum lipid profiles. Our data suggest that KRG has a therapeutic effect on CAD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.284-289
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• 2017

Background: Compound FK506 is an immunosuppressant agent that is frequently used to prevent rejection of solid organs upon transplant. However, nephrotoxicity due to apoptosis and inflammatory response mediated by FK506 limit its usefulness. In this study, the protective effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) against FK506-induced damage in LLC-PK1 pig kidney epithelial cells was investigated. Methods: LLC-PK1 cells were exposed to FK506 with KRG and cell viability was measured. Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses evaluated protein expression of MAPKs, caspase-3, and KIM-1. TLR-4 gene expression was assessed. Caspase-3 activities were also determined. The number of apoptotic cells was measured using an image-based cytometric assay. Results: The reduction in LLC-PK1 cell viability by $60{\mu}M$ FK506 was recovered by KRG cotreatment in a dose-dependent manner. The phosphorylation of p38, p44/42 MAPKs (ERK), KIM-1, cleaved caspase-3, and TLR-4 mRNA expression was increased markedly in LLC-PK1 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ FK506. However, with the exception of p-ERK, elevated levels of p-p38, KIM-1, cleaved caspase-3, and TLR-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased after cotreatment with KRG. Activity level of caspase-3 was also attenuated by KRG cotreatment. Moreover, image-based cytometric assay showed that apoptotic cell death was increased by $60{\mu}M$ FK506 treatment, whereas it was decreased after cotreatment with KRG. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that the molecular mechanism of KRG in the FK506-induced nephrotoxicity may lead to the development of an adjuvant for the inhibition of adverse effect FK506 in the kidney.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.132-138
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• 2002

본 연구에서는 혈류량의 변화를 실시간으로 측정할 수 있는 레이져 도플러 혈류량측정장치를 이용하여 피부혈류 및 뇌혈류량에 미치는 고려홍삼의 사포닌과 비사포닌의 효능을 연구하고자 고려홍삼의 정맥내 복강내 및 구강내로 주입하고 혈류의 변화를 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 고려 홍삼의 사포닌 성분은 피부혈류량에는 영향을 주지 않으나 뇌혈류량을 증가시키는 효능이 있다. 고려 홍삼의 비사포닌 성분은 피부혈류량 및 뇌혈류량에 거의 영향을 주지 않았다. 고려홍삼사포닌에 의한 뇌혈류량의 증가는 복강내 및 경구로 투여할 경우는 관찰할 수 있으나 정맥내로 직접 투여할 경우는 관찰되지 않았다. 이상의 결과를 종합해 볼 때 고려홍삼의 사포닌 성분은 뇌혈류량을 증가시키는 혈류개선작용이 있는 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.248-255
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• 1996

This study was devised to observe in vitro, the inhibitory effects of acidic polysaccharide fractions from Korean red ginseng (KRG) and white ginseng (KWG) on the lipolytic action of loxohormone-L and on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, peptidyldipeptidase hydrolase, EC 3.4.15.1) . The crude acidic polysaccharides (CAP) extracted from main and lateral roots of KRG and KWG were separately purified through several procedures. The total inhibitory activities on the lipolytic action of toxohormone-L of CAP from main roots of KRG and KWG was higher than those of CAP from lateral roots of KRG and KWG, respectively, and that of CAP from main root of KRG was 3.1 times higher than that of CAP from main root of KWG. The specific activity of CAP from main root of KRG was measured as 5.40 units/mg, when one unit was defined as the amount giving 50% inhibition on toxohormone-L induced lipolysls. A subfraction named PG4 3 obtained by replanted chromatography on DEAE-TOYOPEARL 650M gave the specific activity of 24.4 units/mg. On the other hand, it was found that the total inhibitory activity on ACE of CAP from lateral root of KRG was the highest among the 4 kinds of CAP, but the specific activity of CAP from lateral root of KWG was the highest.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.591-598
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• 2021

Background: Hematopoiesis is the production of blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that reside in the bone marrow. Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a chemotherapy drug that suppresses the immune system. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) and Colla corii asini (CCA) have been traditionally used for boosting the immune system. Methods: HSCs in the bone marrow, and immune cell subtype in splenocytes, PBMCs, and thymocytes were investigated. Serum levels of hematopoietic-related markers were analyzed using ELISA. Protein expression in spleen tissue was analyzed using western blot analysis. Hematoxylin & eosin staining in the femurs of mice were also conducted. Results: The combination of KRG and CCA with a ratio of 3:2 increased HSCs, CD3 and CD8⁺ T cells in the circulation, and CD3 T cells in the spleen. A ratio of 2:3 (KRG:CCA) increased the thymic regulatory T cells and recovered the CD3 T cells in the spleen and circulation while recovering proteins in the JAK-STAT pathway in the spleen. Overall, blood cell population and differentiating factors vital for cell differentiation were also significantly recovered by all combinations especially in ratios of 3:2 and 2:3. Conclusion: A ratio of 3:2 (KRG:CCA) is the most ideal combination as it recovered the HSC population in the bone marrow of mice.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.30-36
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• 2013

The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of ginseng as a treatment option for managing menopause symptoms. We searched the literature using ll databases from their inception to 26 September 2012 and included all randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that compared any type of ginseng to a placebo controls in postmenopausal women. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using a Cochrane risk of bias tool. Four RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Most RCTs had high risk of bias. One RCT showed that Korean red ginseng (KRG) significantly improved sexual arousal and global health compared with placebo. Another RCT reported the superiority of KRG over placebo for treating menopause symptoms on Kupperman's index and menopausal rating score. The third RCT failed to show a significant effect of KRG on hot flash frequency compared to placebo. The fourth RCT found beneficial effects of ginseng compared to placebo on depression and well-being. In conclusion, the evidence on ginseng as an effective treatment for managing menopause symptoms is limited. Most of the RCTs are burdened with a high risk of bias. Thus firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Rigorous studies seem warranted.

• 약학회지
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.92-99
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• 2016

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the representative neurodegenerative movement disorders with the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is widely used as an experimental model system to mimic PD and has been reported to cause neuronal cell death via oxidative and/or nitrosative stress. Therefore, daily intake of dietary or medicinal plants which fortifies cellular antioxidant capacity can exert neuroprotective effects in PD. In the present study, we have investigated the protective effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) against 6-OHDA-induced nitrosative death in C6 glioma cells. Treatment of C6 cells with 6-OHDA decreased cell viability and increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, production of nitric oxide as well as peroxynitrite, and formation of nitrotyrosine. 6-OHDA led to apoptotic cell death as determined by decreased Bcl-2/Bax, phosphorylation of JNK, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP. Conversely, pretreatment of C6 cells with KRG attenuated 6-ODHA-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and nitrosative damages. To further elucidate the molecular mechanism of KRG protection against 6-OHDA-induced nitrosative cell death, we have focused on the cellular self-defense molecules against exogenous noxious stimuli. KRG treatment up-regulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a key antioxidant enzyme essential for cellular defense against oxidative and/or nitrosative stress via activation of Nrf2. Taken together, these findings suggest KRG may have preventive and/or therapeutic potentials for the management of PD.

• 고려인삼학회:학술대회논문집
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• 고려인삼학회 2002년도 학술대회지
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• pp.27-34
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• 2002

Clinical study on hemodynamics of healthy elders before and after tread mill. Using doubleblind, placebo-controlled study design. Seventy-five 50-70 years old volunteers without organic disease were divided into two groups, Ginseng group and control group. Each subject was received 3 g Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) capsules or placebo per day for 4 weeks. Before and after administration 4 weeks, the symptoms were asked and hemodynamics parameter such as pump function, systolic function, preload and afterload were recorded before and after tread mill 1,5, 10 minutes by the method of thoracic impedance cardiograph. The result showed that Ginseng could improve quality of life, had obvious effect of increasing PEP (pre-ejection period), PEP/LVET (pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection period), PCWP (wedged pressure pulmonary capillary). The change rate of HR (heart rate), SV (stroke volume) in KRG group were much lowered, while EF (ejection fraction), LVET (left ventricular ejection period), LVEDP (left ventricular end diastolic pressure) was recovered much quickly. The circulation showed Ginseng could improve the quality of life though its promoting circulation function which are increasing both the systolic function and the preload.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.1197-1202
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• 2008

Present study investigated the effects of the 70% ethanol extracts of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng (TCMG), Korean red ginseng (KRG), and Panax ginseng (PG) on agonist-induced platelet aggregation and activation in human whole blood. The $IC_{50}$ values for TCMG, KRG, and PG were 1.159, 3.695, and 4.978mg/mL for collagen-induced aggregation, 0.820, 2.030, and 4.743mg/mL for arachidonic acid-induced aggregation, and 1.070, 2.617, and 2.954 mg/mL for ADP-induced aggregation, respectively. Also, this study assessed the effects of the most active extract, TCMG, on markers of platelet activation by determining receptor expression on platelet membranes in healthy subjects, including expression of GPIIb/IIIa-like (PAC-1) and P-selectin (CD62), by flow cytometry. A significant decrease in PAC-l expression (p=0.018) was observed in the presence of TCMG. These results show that TCMG has potent anti-platelet activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2021

A wide range of studies have steadily pointed out the relation of oxidative stress to the primary and secondary causes of human disease and aging. As such, there have been multiple misconceptions about oxidative stress. Most of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from chronic diseases cause oxidative damage to cell membrane lipids and proteins. ROS production is increased by abnormal stimulation inside and outside in the body, and even though ROS are generated in cells in response to abnormal metabolic processes such as disease, it does not mean that they directly contribute to the pathogenesis of a disease. Therefore, the focus of treatment should not be on ROS production itself but on the prevention and treatment of diseases linked to ROS production, including types 1 and 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. In this regard, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been traditionally utilized to help prevent and treat diseases such as diabetes, cancer, inflammation, nervous system diseases, cardiovascular disease, and hyperlipidemia. Therefore, this review was intended to summarize in vivo animal and human clinical studies on the antioxidant activities of KRG and its components, ginsenosides.