• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.514-523
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• 2019

We investigated the gene expression patterns and the mechanisms of action of the apoptotic response by microarray analysis of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells treated with ginsenoside Rb1, a saponin of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Genes related to apoptosis, the G2/M transition of the mitotic cell cycle, cell division, mitotic nuclear division, and intracellular protein transport were 2-fold up-regulated in HaCaT cells treated with the ginsenoside Rb1, whereas genes related to DNA repair, regeneration fission, and extracellular matrix organization were 2-fold down-regulated. Apoptosis signaling may be mediated by FAS and PLA2G4A, and pathway analysis indicated that STAT3 might be an upstream regulator of these genes. The activity of FAS and PLA2G4A was verified by qPCR, which showed that FAS was increased about 2-fold in HaCaT cells treated with $10{\mu}g/ml$ of ginsenoside Rb1 for 24 hr, PLA2G4A was increased about twice after 6 hours, and gene expression was increased more than 2-fold after 24 hr. Knockdown of STAT3 with siRNA decreased FAS expression and increased PLA2G4A expression but only FAS was passed from the upstream regulator STAT3. These results indicate that STAT3, which is an upstream regulator, induces apoptosis via FAS during treatment with ginsenoside Rb1.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.301-308
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• 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular amyloid plaques composed of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ). Studies have indicated that Ca²⁺ dysregulation is involved in AD pathology. It is reported that decreased capacitative Ca²⁺ entry (CCE), a refilling mechanism of intracellular Ca²⁺, resulting in increased Aβ production. In contrast, constitutive activation of CCE could decrease Aβ production. Panax ginseng Meyer is known to enhance memory and cognitive functions in healthy human subjects. We have previously reported that some ginsenosides decrease Aβ levels in cultured primary neurons and AD mouse model brains. However, mechanisms involved in the Aβ-lowering effect of ginsenosides remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between CCE and Aβ production by examining the effects of various ginsenosides on CCE levels. Aβ-lowering ginsenosides such as Rk1, Rg5, and Rg3 potentiated CCE. In contrast, ginsenosides without Aβ-lowering effects (Re and Rb2) failed to potentiate CCE. The potentiating effect of ginsenosides on CCE was inhibited by the presence of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB), an inhibitor of CCE. 2APB alone increased Aβ42 production. Furthermore, the presence of 2APB prevented the effects of ginsenosides on Aβ42 production. Our results indicate that ginsenosides decrease Aβ production via potentiating CCE levels, confirming a close relationship between CCE levels and Aβ production. Since CCE levels are closely related to Aβ production, modulating CCE could be a novel target for AD therapeutics.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2008

To evaluate the antiatopic effect of Korea red ginseng (RG, steamed root of Panax ginseng CA Meyer, Family Araliaceae) fermented by Bifidobacterium longum H-1 (FRG), its inhibitory effect on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction and itching in mice was measured. FRG and its ingredient saponin fraction (FSF) potently inhibited PCA reaction and scratching behaviors. FRG at a dose of 200 mg/kg and FSF at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly inhibited the scratching frequency by 45% and 47%, respectively. FRG and FSF also inhibited the degranulation and protein expression of tumor-necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and interleukin-4 of RBL-2H3 cells induced by IgE-complex. However, polysaccharide fraction of FRG (FPF) weakly inhibited it, compared with FSF. The inhibitory effect of FRG against PCA reaction and scratching behaviors more potently inhibited than that of RG. Based on these findings, FRG can improve allergic skin disorders atopic dermatitis by the regulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-4 produced by mast cells and basophils and its degranulation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.456-463
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• 2011

The present study examined the effects of Korean white ginseng (WG, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) on the learning and memory function and the neural activity in rats with trimethyltin (TMT)-induced memory deficits. The rats were administered with saline or WG (WG 100 or 300 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 21 days. The cognitive improving efficacy of WG on the amnesic rats, which was induced by TMT, was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze test and by performing immunohistochemistries on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The rats treated with TMT injection (control group) showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks, but the rats treated with TMT injection and WG administration produced significant improvement of the escape latency to find the platform in the Morris water maze at the 2nd and 4th days compared to that of the control group. In the retention test, the WG 100 and WG 300 groups showed significantly increased crossing number around the platform compared to that of the control group (p < 0.001). Consistently with the behavioral data, result of immunohistochemistry analysis showed that WG 100 mg/kg significantly alleviated the loss of BDNF-ir neurons in the hippocampus compared to that of the control group (p < 0.01). Also, treatment with WG has a trend to be increased the cholinergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas as compared to that of the control group. These results suggest that WG may be useful for improving the cognitive function via regulation of neurotrophic activity.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.36-39
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• 1993

We reported earlier (Br. J. Pharmac. 82. 485 - 491. 1984) that ginsenosides from Panax ginseng CA. Meyer antagonized noradrenaline or prostaglandin $F_{2\alpha}-induced$ contractions of pulmonary and intrapulmonary arterial rings of rabbits. Because this effect resembled that of acetylcholine (ACh). we questioned whether these acitons were due to release of nitric oxide from vaseular endothelium. We therefore determined whether ginsenosides could vasodilate preconstricted lungs and also protect against free radical injury. which normally eliminates the vasodilator response to ACh(J. Appl. Physiol. 71. 821 - 825. 1991 J. We found that ginsenoside $Rg_1$ or a mixture of saponins could ,a) vasodilate perfused. $U_{46619}-preconstricted$ lungs. b) promote increased synthesis of nitric oxide by endothelial cells in culture and c) prevent the pulmonary edema often associated with free radical injury (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 189. 670 - 676. 1992). Thus, vasodilator and protective effects of ginsenosides against free radical injury may reflect enhanced synthesis and release of nitric oxide. These data suggest that ginsenosides may be useful in treatment of pulmonary and systemic hypertension. Aided by grants from the National Institutes of Health. Bethesda.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.407-417
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the application possibility of leaf and stem extract(LSE) extracted from the mixture of leaf and stem of ginseng radix(Panax ginseng CA. Meyer). This study measured the intake levels and efficiency ratio, growth rate, absorption ratio of carbohydrate, lipid and protein of rat by feeding with LSE during 6 weeks. We analyse the hematological and serum metabolic variables, serum lipid concentrations. Total diet and protein intake levels were low, but efficiency ratios were significantly high in LSE administered groups than the control group. Weight gain, liver and kidney weight of LSE groups were significantly higher than the control group. Blood RBC, Hct, Hb, total protein and albumin concentrations were reasonable levels in LSE administered groups compared to the basal diet group. Also serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride contents of LSE groups were low, but HDL-cholesterol level was higher than the basal diet group. These results imply that leaf and stem of ginseng radix could be used as possible food resources, functional food material and feed stuff.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2018

Red ginseng marc is a by-product of Korean red ginseng (panax ginseng CA Meyer) and contains ginsenoside which has pharmacological effects. The Korean red ginseng marc was fermented with Bacillus subtilis (RGMB). This study was carried out to investigate the RGMB effect on swine immunity. The variation of ginsenoside depending on the RGMB fermentation time was analyzed. Swine (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) were divided into control group (basic diet) and RGMB group (RGMB 1% diet). One percent RGMB was fed to the RGMB group for 28 days. The biochemical parameters, cytokine and immunoglobulin were analyzed. For 48 hours of fermentation on RGMB, ginsenoside Rb1 had increased 180.94%, Rg3 235.85%. Rg1 wasn't detected before fermentation, but was detected after 48 hours of fermentation. The RGMB had effect of deceasing initial AST concentration $79.33{\pm}12.85U/L$ to $54.00{\pm}14.46U/L$ in final and was significantly lower (P<0.05) than control in final. In final RGMB had significantly lower (P<0.05) ALT concentration of $48.57{\pm}8.26U/L$ comparing with control group of $65.43{\pm}10.31U/L$. RGMB had the effect of significantly decreasing (P<0.05) $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration of $2.44{\pm}1.31ng/mL$, $0.71{\pm}0.36ng/mL$ and $0.51{\pm}0.21ng/mL$. The IgA concentration had significantly increased (P<0.05) in RGMB group of $0.56{\pm}0.06mg/mL$ in final. These results demonstrate that RGMB has effect of increasing immunity and practicable to use as feed additives on swine.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 1998

In the present study, we examined effects of ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) on pp60c-src protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity, intracellular calcium concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i), and cell proliferation in NIH3T3 cells. Eight different ginsenosides [ginsenoside-Rb1 (G-$Rb_1$), -$Rb_2$, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, -Rf, -$Rg_1$, -$Rg_2$) and ginseng total saponin (GTS) were used for these experiments. All ginsenosides and GTS tested stimulated the activation of $pp60^{c-src}$ kinase, and especially G-$Rb_1$,-Rd,-$Rg_1$, and -$Rg_1$ showed a higher stimulatory effect than others at 16.7 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of ginsenosides with a 18 hr-incubation, increasing the activity by 4.5, 3.5, 3.5, and 3.0-fold, respectively, over that of untreated control. In addition, both G-Rd and -$Rg_2$)Rg2 increased ($Ca^{2+}$), to 202 and 334 nM, respectively, about 2-3-fold above the basal level within 7min at 250 $\mu\textrm{g}$/yml of ginsenosides. The increases of ($Ca^{2+}$), were eliminated by Pretreatment of EGTA, an extracellular calcium chelator, suggtasting that they result from an influx of calcium ion from extracellular medium rather than an efflux from intracellular calcium store, endoplasmic reticulum (ER). All ginsenosides studied enhanced cell proliferation to 1.2-1.4-fold over that of untreated control at 5~250 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of concentrations. Interestingly the promotion of cell proliferation by ginsenosides corresponded with the activation of c-src kinase, which is an early step in the mitogenic signaling cascade. Taken together, we suggest that some ginsenosides may lead to cellProliferation via the activation of cellular signal transduction Pathway involving $pp60^{c-src}$ kinase.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 1989

This study was conducted to Investigate the effects of physico-chemical soil properties on the growth and yield of ginseng. 1 In the field survey, the yields of 6 year old ginseng were 2.46 Kg/3.3$m^2$, 2.13 Kg/3.3$m^2$, 1.44 Kg/3.3 $m^2$ in clay loam, loam and sandy loam soils, respectively 2. The missing plant rate for il year old ginseng were 33.6% and 51.6% in clay loam and sandy loam soils, respectively : the stem length and stem diameter of ginseng plants in sandy loam soil were smaller than those in clay loam soil. 3. Soil aggregation and porosity we're slightly higher in 6 year old ginseng fields than in 2 year ones. 4. Inorganic-N increased in 2 year and 3 year old ginseng fields reaching up to 100-120ppm, however it 1 decreased to 75 ppm, 34 ppm and 25 ppm in 4, 5 and 6 year old ginseng fields, respectively, It varied 1 more greatly in sandy loam soil than in clay loam. 5. The $P_2O_5$, K, Ca, and Mg contents differed little with plant age. Sandy loam had high N and $P_2O_5$ contents but low cation contents. 6. The yield of 6 year old ginseng fields were significantly correlated with clay contents and porosity. The missing Plant rate of 6 year old ginseng had a positive correlations with sand. and N contents.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the some physicochemical properties of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) water extract (RGWE) after heated with high temperatures above $100^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours. RGWEs were heated at 100, 110 and $120^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours by using autoclave. After RGWEs were heated at high temperature for 2 hours without not adjustment of pH, the changes of saponin, free sugars, mineral and color in the RGWEs were investigated. Total ginsenoside content in control was 1.99%, while those of RGWE were 1.65, 1.49 and 1.29% when treated at 100, 110 and $120^{\circ}C$, respectively. The contents of total ginsenoside showed decreased tendency as heating temperatures were increased. The ginsenoside-$Rh_{2}$ and $-Rg_{3}$, which have been reported as very stable red ginseng ginsenosides, showed relatively strong spots on TLC when RGWEs were heated at 110 and $120^{\circ}C$. In case of free sugars in RGWEs, fructose, glucose and maltose showed high contents when compared with control, while Fe, Ca and Mg ions showed very low contents. Value of L in RGWE treated with high temperature was almost the same with control, while values of a and b were increased. Values of a were increased from -0.86 of control to +0.04, +0.05 and +1.14 when treated with 100, 110 and $120^{\circ}C$, respectively. Values of b also were increased from 27.68 of control to 33.61, 33.61 and 37.42 when treated with 100, 110 and $120^{\circ}C$, respectively. Values of total color in RGWEs treated with high temperatures, E, were finally increased by values of a and b.