• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2012

Panax ginseng (PG) is a globally utilized medicinal herb. The medicinal effects of PG are primarily attributable to ginsenosides located in the root and leaf. The leaves of PG are known to be rich in various bioactive ginsenosides, and the therapeutic effects of ginseng extract and ginsenosides have been associated with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. We examined the effect of PG leaf extract and the isolated ginsenosides, on nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$transcriptional activity and target gene expression by applying a luciferase assay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$-treated hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Air-dried PG leaf extract inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$transcription activity and NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression more efficiently than the steamed extract. Of the 10 ginsenosides isolated from PG leaves, Rd and Km most significantly inhibited activity in a dose-dependent manner, with $IC_{50}$ values of $12.05{\pm}0.82$ and $8.84{\pm}0.99\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Furthermore, the ginsenosides Rd and Km inhibited the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression levels of the COX-2 and iNOS gene in HepG2 cells. Air-dried leaf extracts and their chemical components, ginsenoside Rd and Km, are involved in the suppression of TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent iNOS and COX-2 gene expression. Consequently, air-dried leaf extract from PG, and the purified ginsenosides, have therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatory.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 1979

Korea has produced large quantities of Panax Ginseng roots which have a stimulating effect on the metabolisma of protein, lipid and nucleic acids in the body. Authors believe that the lear and trunk of Panax Ginseng might have some components possessing a similar activity to Panax Ginseng root although the quantity and quality of the functional components may be somewhat different. Therefore, this study was designed to observe the nutritional effects of diet supplemented with the leaves or trunks of Panax Ginseng. Weanling(body weight; $82{\pm}3g$) male albino rats were subjected to six different dietary groups as followings; A groups; dietary groups which were treated with steam for 30 min at $115^{\circ}C}$. B Groups; dietary groups which were not treated with steam. A-C (or B-C) dietary group; Control for A groups(or B groups) containing 99% wheat flour. A-1 (or B-1) dietary group; dietary group supplemented with 2% leaf of Panax Ginseng, which replaced 2% wheat flour of control diet. A-2 (or B-2) dietary group; dietary group supplemented with 2% trunk of Panax Ginseng, which replaced 2% wheat flour or control diet. Each group of rats was maintained with the corresponding diet for 40 days. And then they were sacrificed. The growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and the contents of lipid and cholesterol in organs were determined. The results obtained are summarized as follows;1) The gained body weights of dietary group supplemented with 2% leaf(A-1 and B-1) or 2% trunk(A-2 and B-2) of panax Ginseng were more increased in comparison to the corresponding control group(A-C and B-C). 2) The gained body weight of each group in A-group(A-C, A-I and A-2) was higher than that or each corresponding dietary group in B-group(B-C, B-1 and B-2). 3) The protein efficiency ratios of A-1 and A-2 dietary group, and B-1 and B-2 dietary group were more improved in comparison to the corresponding control group(A-C and B­C). 4) The lipid contents in the liver of A-1 and B-1 dietary groups were lower than in that of A-C and. B-C dietary group, respectively. According to the above results, it could be suggested that the nutritional value of the wheat flour can be improved by supplement of 2% leaf or 2% trunk of Panax Ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2011

Leaf characteristics of mature 2, 3 and 4-year-old North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) leaves on fruiting and non-fruiting(NF) plants were studied. Leaflets of the 2-year-old plants had the lowest fresh and dry weight, area, volume and internal gas volume. Inflorescence removal in 3-year-old plants did not affect leaf characteristics or ginsenoside concentration but in 4-year-old plants it increased leaf fresh (38.6%) and dry (43.9%) weight, leaf area (29.1%), specific leaf mass (11.4%), leaf volume (43.1%), and leaf thickness (12.1%), and decreased leaf water content (6.2%). Cultivated ginseng, although an understorey plant, had the specific leaf mass, 35.6 g $m^{-2}$ (range, 36 to 39 g $m^{-2}$) and a chlorophyll a/b ratio of 2.40 to 2.61, both suggesting the ability to perform like a sunny habitat plant. Also, specific leaf mass of 35.6 g $m^{-2}$ is similar to that reported for perennial plants, 36.8 g $m^{-2}$, rather than that for annuals, 30.9 g $m^{-2}$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2014

Panax ginseng is one of the most important medicinal plants in Asia. Triterpene saponins, known as ginsenosides, are the major pharmacological compounds in P. ginseng. The present study was conducted to evaluate the changes in ginsenoside composition according to the foliation stage of P. ginseng cultured in a hydroponic system. Among the three tested growth stages (closed, intermediate, and opened), the highest amount of total ginsenoside in the main and fine roots was in the intermediate stage. In the leaves, the highest amount of total ginsenoside was in the opened stage. The total ginsenoside content of the ginseng leaf was markedly increased in the transition from the closed to intermediate stage, and increased more slowly from the intermediate to opened leaf stage, suggesting active biosynthesis of ginsenosides in the leaf. Conversely, the total ginsenoside content of the main and fine roots decreased from the intermediate to opened leaf stage. This suggests movement of ginsenosides during foliation from the root to the leaf, or vice versa. The difference in the composition of ginsenosides between the leaf and root in each stage of foliation suggests that the ginsenoside profile is affected by foliation stage, and this profile differs in each organ of the plant. These results suggest that protopanaxadiol- and protopanaxatriol(PPT)-type ginsenosides are produced according to growth stage to meet different needs in the growth and defense of ginseng. The higher content of PPT-type ginsenosides in leaves could be related to the positive correlation between light and PPT-type ginsenosides.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.388-393
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• 2013

This study was conducted to select environmental friendly organic materials for controlling the ginseng alternaria blight and to evaluate their effects from 2011 to 2012. Alternaria blight is caused by Alternaria panax and is the most common ginseng disease in Korea. Environmental friendly organic materials were used to reduce amount of chemical fungicides and the number of spray for control of Ginseng Alternaria leaf blight. In 4 years of ginseng, control value of Alternaria leaf blight by single application of Defenoconazole WP was 82.3% and those of single application was 62.0~75.9%. Consequently, mixed or alternated application of eco-material products could be recommended as a control method to reduce the amount of fungicides.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.275-280
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• 1995

The formation of thylakoid membrane proteins and changes in the chloroplast ultrastructure of ginseng leaf were investigated as a function of time following the leaf emergence. The leaf chloroplast obtained just after the leaf emergence showed short rod-like thylakoids which were connected and arranged in 3~4 layers along the longitudinal axis of the chloroplast. The 10 DAE (days after emergence) chloroplast started to form grana structure. The typical grana structure was observed 17 DAE, and the grana was fully developed 28 DAE. The membrane proteins obtained from just after emerging leaf were separated into many minor bands indicating no CP-complex formation yet. LHC II was detected after 10 days. CP 47 and CP 43 were detected after 17 days. After 28 days, the PS I and PS II proteins were distinctly separated into CP 1, LHC II, CP 47, CP 43, CP 29, CP 27+24. Thus, the appearance of the light harvesting protein, LHC II, which was concentrated in grana stacks, was consis tent in time with the formation of grana stacks 17 DAE. Key words Chloroplast ultrastructure, grana, CP-complex, LHC II.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 1989

This study was conducted to determine the cause of the occurence of marginal leaf chlorosis in ginseng plants (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), and to determine its emersion in fields (practically) and in pots (experimentally). The following results were obtained. In the Present investigation, ginseng plants raised in acidic soil containing a high a moue t of Mn showed marginal leaf chlorosis. Henre it Ivas suggested that the shoot growth and root weights became grad gractually lower. The leaves having marginal leaf chlorosis contained low amounts of N, P,. Ca, Mg, and Na and the Fe/Mn ratios were low. There was a corresponding increase in Mn uptake. It was founrl that in soils where marginal leaf chlorisis occured the pH urar brlolv 4.2 to 4.9 and the Ca, Mg and Na content was decreased thus effectively increasing the available manganese in the soil. The Mn/Fe ratios in the yellow leaf margins of ginseng Plants affected by the Mn toxicity was over 2.0 compared to the general Mn/Fe ratio of 0.50 for healthily leaves, stems and roots. Typically when ginseng plants grow fields having soil with a pH below about 5.0, there tenor to be an uptake of excess Mn. When ginseng plants are grown in a nutrient sand culture solution It with an increased Mn concentration, they accumulate large amounts of Mn in the roots and in the shoots. In both casts marginal leaf chlorosis appeared in the emersions. In the Present investigation, ginseng plants raised in acidic soil and containing a high amount of Mn showed marginal leaf chlorosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2011

The characteristics of absorption and accumulation of inorganic germanium in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer were examined. In 4-year-old P. ginseng, the germanium content of the field soil increased with increased amounts and frequencies of inorganic germanium application, while chemical components of the soil, such as available phosphate and exchangeable calcium, potassium, and magnesium, decreased with the increased inorganic germanium application. In the 4-year-old P. ginseng, the germanium content was highest in the rhizome and increased in the order of stem, leaf, lateral root, and main root, suggesting that inorganic germanium was absorbed from the root and translocated to the stem and leaf via the rhizome. As for changes in ginsenosides in 4-year-old P. ginseng rhizomes, the contents of ginsenosides $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Re, and Rf decreased as the germanium content in soil increased. Ginsenosides $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Re, and Rf in the main root also decreased with increasing germanium content in the main root. The results suggest that inorganic germanium treatment may increase organic germanium in harvested P. ginseng, thus enhancing the medicinal effi cacy of ginseng products.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2019

Seasonal ginsenoside flux in the leaves of 5-year-old Panax ginseng was analyzed from the field-grown ginseng, for the first time, to study possible biosynthesis and translocation of ginsenosides. The concentrations of nine major ginsenosides, Rg1, Re, Rh1, Rg2, R-Rh1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd, were determined by UHPLC during the growth in between April and November. It was confirmed total ginsenoside content in the dried ginseng leaves was much higher than the roots by several folds whereas the composition of ginsenosides was different from the roots. The ginsenoside flux was affected by ginseng growth. It quickly increased to 10.99±0.15 (dry wt%) in April and dropped to 6.41±0.14% in May. Then, it slowly increased to 9.71±0.14% in August and maintained until October. Ginsenoside Re was most abundant in the leaf of P. ginseng, followed by Rd and Rg1. Ginsenosides Rf and Ro were not detected from the leaf. When compared to the previously reported root data, ginsenosides in the leaf appeared to be translocated to the root, especially in the early vegetative stage even though the metabolite translocated cannot be specified. The flux of ginsenoside R-Rh1 was similar to the other (20S)-PPT ginsenosides. When the compositional changes of each ginsenoside in the leaf was analyzed, complementary relationship was observed from ginsenoside Rg1 and Re, as well as from ginsenoside Rd and Rb1+Rc. Accordingly, ginsenoside Re in the leaf was proposed to be synthesized from ginsenoside Rg1. Similarly, ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc were proposed to be synthesized from Rd.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1980.09a
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• pp.151-170
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• 1980

Physiological response of Panax ginseng var. atropurpureacaulo (purple stem variety, Pg) to light was reviewed through old literatures and recent experiments. Canopy structure, growth, pigment, leaf anatomy, disease occurence, transpiration, photosynthesis (PS), leaf saponin, photoperiodism and nutrient uptake were concerned. P. ginseng var. xanthocarpus (yellow berry variety, Px) and Panax quinquefolius(Pq) were compared with Pg if possible. Compensation point(Cp) increased with increase of light and ranged from 110 to 150 at $20^{\circ}C$ but from 140 to 220 at $30^{\circ}C$ with 4 to 15 Klux indicating occurence of light and temperature-dependent high photorespiration. Characteristics of Korea ginseng to hate high temperature was well accordance with an observation 2000 years ago. Korea ginseng showed lower Cp and appeared to be more tolerant to high light intensity and temperature than American sheng although the latter showed greater PS, stomata frequency and conductance, chlorophyll and carotenoids. Px showed lower PS than Pg probably due to higher Cp. Total leaf saponin was higher in leaves grown under high light. Ratio or diol saponin and triol saponin(PT/PD) decreased with increase of light intensity during growing mainly due to decrease of ginsenoside $Rg_1$ but increase of ginsenoside Rd. Leaves of Pg and Px had $Rg_1$ but no $Rb_3$ which was only found as much as $20\%$ of total in Pq leaves, and decreased with increase of light intensity. Re increased in Pg and Px but decreased in Pq with increase of light. PT/PD in leaf ranged 1.0-1.5 in Pg and Px but around 0.5 in Pq. Korea ginseng has Yang characteristics(tolerant to high light and temperature), cultured under Eum(shade) condition and long been used for Yang efficacy (to build up energy) while Pq was quite contrary. Traditional low light $intensity(3-8\%)$ for Korea ginseng culture appeared to be strongly related to historical unique quality. Effect of light quality and photoperiodism was not well known. Experiences are long but scientific knowledge is short for production and quality assessment of ginseng. Recent scientific knowledge of ginseng should learn wisdom from old experiences.