• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2003

Ginsenosides, major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, are known to regulate excitatory ligand-gated ion channel activity such as nicotinic acetylcholine and NMDA receptor channel activity. However, it is not known whether ginsenosides affect inhibitory ligand-gated ion channel activity. We investigated the effect of ginsenosides on human recombinant $GABA_A$ receptor (${\alpha}_1{\beta}_1{\gamma}_{2s}$) channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes using a two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Among the eight individual ginsenosides examined, namely, $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$ and $Rg_2$, we found that Rc most potently enhanced the GABA-induced inward peak current ($I_{GABA}$). Ginsenoside Rc alone induced an inward membrane current in certain batches of oocytes expressing the $GABA_A$ receptor. The effect of ginsenoside Rc on $I_{GABA}$ was both dose-dependent and reversible. The half-stimulatory concentration ($EC_{50}$) of ginsenoside Rc was 53.2$\pm$12.3 $\mu$M. Both bicuculline, a $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, and picrotoxin, a $GABA_A$ channel blocker, blocked the stimulatory effect of ginsenoside Rc on $I_{GABA}$. Niflumic acid (NFA) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), both $CI^{-1}$ channel blockers, attenuated the effect of ginsenoside Rc on I$I_{GABA}$. This study suggests that ginsenosides regulated $GABA_A$ receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes and implies that this regulation might be one of the pharmacological actions of Panax ginseng.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effect of ethanol extracts from Gentianae scabrae bunge (GSB) on the activities of antioxidant, whitening and anti-inflammation. Viability of cells was measured by neutral red (NR) assay, and inhibitory effects of GSB on melanin synthesis was determined the melanin production in B16F10 cells. The expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in media was analyzed by ELISA kit, and nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. GSB showed highly efficacy in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and significantly reduced melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. MMP-1 production in UVB-stimulated human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells was inhibited by GSB treatments. NO production was suppressed by the treatment of GSB in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. From this results, it was indicated that GSB could be utilized as anti-aging and whitening cosmetic ingredients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.165-175
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• 2011

This study investigates the effects of Psidium guajava L. leaf (Pg) extract, Lagerstroemia speciosa L. leaf (Ls) extract, and mixture A (Pg, Ls, Morus indica L. leaf, Pinus densiflora needles, Acanthopanax senticosus M. roots extract) on db/db mice. For four weeks, db/db mice were fed powdered extracts of Pg, Ls, and mixture A. Compared to the diabetic control, extracts of Pg, Ls and mixture A decreased body weight, glucose and insulin. The greatest decreases were caused by mixture A. These extracts decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid compared to the diabetic control. The antihyperlipidemic effect of mixture A was the greatest. Mixture A also significantly decreased injuries of Langerhans' islets compared to the diabetic control. Mixture A showed a beneficial synergistic effect due to the supplementary pharmacological actions of the ingredients in contains, indicating that it improved hyperglycemia without the side effect of weight gain.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.656-662
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• 2005

Ginger (Zingiber of oficinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) is one of the most frequently and heavily consumed dietary condiments throughout the world. Besides its extensive use as a spice, the rhizome of ginger has also been used in traditional oriental herbal medicine for the management of symptoms such as common cold, digestive disorders, rheumatism, neurologia, colic, and motion-sickness. The oleoresin from rhizomes of ginger contains [6] -gingerol (1- [4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-3-decanone) and its homologs as pungent ingredients that have been found to possess many interesting pharmacological and physiological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiheatotoxic, and cardiotonic effects. However, the effect of [6]-gingerol on cell proliferation in breast cancer cell are not currently well known. Therefore, in this study, we examined effect of [6]-gingerol on protein and mRNA expression associated with cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 human breast. cancer cell lines. We cultured MDA-MB-231 cells in presence of 0, 2.5, 5 and $10{\mu}M$ of [6] -gingerol. [6]-Gingerol inhibited breast cancer cell growth in a dose-depenent manner as determined by MTT assay. ErbB2 and ErbB3 protein and mRNA expression were decreased dose-dependently in cells treated with [6]-gingerol (p<0.05). In addition, phosphorylated Akt levels and total hぉ levels were markedly decreased in cells treated with $2.5{\mu}M$ [6]-gingerol (p<0.05). In conclusion, we have shown that [6]-gingerol inhibits cell proliferation through ErbB2 and ErbB3, reduction in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to confirm whether Codonopsis Radix(CR) could be used in the same way for expected indications or diseases of adaptation instead of Ginseng Radix(GR), which acts as a principal herb in Sagunja-tang. Methods : The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems pharmacology(TCMSP), a database for the study of systems biology related to Chinese medicine, screened potential active compounds in each quartet. By searching for all the proteins that each compound provides, the target of Sagunja-tang with GR(GRST) and the target of Sagunja-tang with CR(CRST) were compared using the network analysis method, and the top ranked target of each serving was selected. Results : Through TCMSP, a Chinese medicine database, the potential effective ingredients of GRST or CRST screened, and the target proteins related to these substances were found to be the most affected by Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome, an herbal medicine mixed in Sagunja-tang, and the target diseases were the same. And the same were found for the target protein, gene and target diseases of GRST and CRST. Conclusions : The prescription with similar composition is likely to have similar network pharmacology analysis results, and the analysis result may be controlled by the herbal medicines which are assumed to be the main function. Therefore, rich and reproducible basic studies is more important because network pharmacological studies can be dominated by data that has been done a lot of previous studies.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-31
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• 2021

Objectives : The root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, known as 'Dansam (DS, 丹參)', is used for and treating cardiovascular diseases based on its efficacy of promoting blood circulation and breaking through a blood stasis. In this study, we would like to see if DS could be effectively used for stroke from the perspective of network pharmacology. Methods : The analysis was conducted using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database to derive the main active compounds of DS and identify the mechanism of each compound acting on the human body. The networks between compounds, target protein and disease were expressed through Cytoscape. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed using STRING database. Results : Fifty two active compounds of DS were identified by screening the ingredients of DS through TCMSP. Based on the networks of these compounds with target protein and disease, it can be said that DS might be effective for preventing and treating stroke. PPI result showed that adrenergic receptor has many interactions among proteins, indicating its significance in stroke pathway. Conclusion : In this study, we derived target proteins and target diseases of DS that could be used in study of stroke. However, since it is uncertain if these targets can be controlled by DS extracts or not, we would like to confirm the results with further animal experiments.

• CELLMED
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.18.1-18.8
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• 2021

Jawarishe Jalinoos (JJ) is an orally used formulation available in semisolid dosage form, prepared with powdered plant materials mixed in honey or sugar syrup. It has many admirable pharmacological effects and used in Unani medicine to treat various acute and chronic disorders since ancient times. The ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline stated that photostability testing should be an essential part of stability testing to confirm that light exposure does not result in an unacceptable change in drugs substance and finished products. To date, the effect of light on JJ is not studied, in this study photostability evaluation of JJ was carried out. The test sample was manufactured with genuine ingredients in the in-door pharmacy of the National Institute of Unani Medicine. JJ was packed in two transparent polyethylene terephthalate airtight containers. The first sample was analysed at zero-day and the second sample was placed in a stability chamber subjected to light challenge with an overall illumination of 1.2 million lux hours combined with near ultraviolet energy of 200-watt hours per square meter by using option 2, along with 30±2℃ temperature and relative humidity 70±5%. Analysis of both finished products showed no considerable changes in organoleptic characters. Less than 5% variation was observed in physicochemical parameters. HPTLC fingerprinting showed justifiable variation. Microbial load and specific counts were within the limit prescribed by WHO. As no unacceptable changes were noted in JJ subjecting to light challenge, it is concluded that JJ is a photostable Unani compound formulation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to confirm the antioxidant, black hair, and hair growth effects of the N. jatamansi, O. basilicum, and C. sativus mixed extracts that pharmacological efficacy has been verified. Accordingly, four samples (NOC-1 to-4) produced under different extraction conditions were prepared and the results are as follows. First, all samples showed an increase in antioxidant content in a concentration-dependent manner from the results of antioxidant efficacy. In particular, NOC-4 extracted by steaming and ultrasonic methods showed the highest antioxidant effect among the four samples. As a result of analysis of the amount of melanin production in mouse melanoma cells, NOC-4 with concentration of 500 ㎍/ml showed higher melanin production compared to the control group, so the black hair efficacy was the best. Also, in the hair growth test results, it was found that the hair growth was the best at 0.94 ± 0.10 mm at experimental group orally administered with 500 mg/kg of NOC-4. In addition, as a result of cytotoxicity analysis in mouse melanoma cells, the safety of samples was demonstrated by maintaining cell viability of 95% or more at all concentrations. These results suggest that the steaming and ultrasonic extraction method increased the extraction yield of active ingredients for antioxidant, melanin, and hair generation, thereby affecting physiological activity. Based on these results, if the steaming and ultrasonic extraction methods are applied to the mixed extraction of N. jatamansi, O. basilicum, and C. sativus, it is judged that the practical potential as a natural material for black hair and hair growth agents will increase.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.479-491
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• 2023

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high incidence and is one of the highest mortality cancers when advanced stage is proceeded. However, Anti-cancer drugs available for treatment are limited and new anti-cancer drugs and new ways to treat them are minimal. We examined that the effects and possibility of Red Ginseng (RG, Panax ginseng Meyer) as new anti-cancer drug on HCC by combining network pharmacology and molecular biology. Materials and Methods: Network pharmacological analysis was employed to investigate the systems-level mechanism of RG focusing on HCC. Cytotoxicity of RG was determined by MTT analysis, which were also stained by annexin V/PI staining for apoptosis and acridine orange for autophagy. For the analyze mechanism of RG, we extracted protein and subjected to immunoblotting for apoptosis or autophagy related proteins. Results: We constructed compound-target network of RG and identified potential pathways related to HCC. RG inhibited growth of HCC through acceleration of cytotoxicity and reduction of wound healing ability of HCC. RG also increased apoptosis and autophagy through AMPK induction. In addition, its ingredients, 20S-PPD (protopanaxadiol) and 20S-PPT (protopanaxatriol), also induced AMPK mediated apoptosis and autophagy. Conclusion: RG effectively inhibited growth of HCC cells inducing apoptosis and autophagy via ATG/AMPK in HCC cells. Overall, our study suggests possibility as new anti-cancer drug on HCC by proof for the mechanism of the anti-cancer action of RG.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.111-131
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• 2002

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) received a great deal of attention from the Orient and West as a tonic agent, health food and/or alternative herbal therapeutic agent. However, controversy with respect to scientific evidence on pharmacological effects especially, evaluation of clinical efficacy and the methodological approach still remains to be solved. Author reviewed those articles published since 1980 when pharmacodynamic studies on ginseng have intensively started. Special concern was paid on metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders, malignant tumor, sexual dysfunction, and physical and mental performance to give clear information to those who are interested in pharmacological study of ginseng and to promote its clinical use. With respect to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malignant disorders, and sexual disorders, it seems that ginseng plays preventive and restorative role rather than therapeutics. Particularly, ginseng plays a significant role in ameliorating subjective symptoms and preventing quality of life from deteriorating by long term exposure of chemical therapeutic agents. Also it seems that the potency of ginseng is mild, therefore it could be more effective when used concomitantly with conventional therapy. Clinical studies on the tonic effect of ginseng on work performance demonstrated that physical and mental dysfunction induced by various stresses are improved by increasing adaptability of physical condition. However, the results obtained from clinical studies cannot be mentioned in the indication, which are variable upon the scientist who performed those studies. In this respect, standardized ginseng product and providing planning of the systematic clinical research in double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the real efficacy for proposing ginseng indication. Pharmacological mode of action of ginseng has not yet been fully elucidated. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic researches reveal that the role of ginseng not seem to be confined to a given single organ. It has been known that ginseng plays a beneficial role in such general organs as central nervous, endocrine, metabolic, immune systems, which means ginseng improves general physical and mental conditons. Such multivalent effect of ginseng can be attributed to the main active component of ginseng,ginsenosides or non-saponin compounds which are also recently suggested to be another active ingredients. As is generally the similar case with other herbal medicines, effects of ginseng cannot be attributed as a given single compound or group of components. Diversified ingredients play synergistic or antagonistic role each other and act in harmonized manner. A few cases of adverse effect in clinical uses are reported, however, it is not observed when standardized ginseng products are used and recommended dose was administered. Unfavorable interaction with other drugs has also been suggested, which the information on the products and administered dosage are not available. However, efficacy, safety, interaction or contraindication with other medicines has to be more intensively investigated in order to promote clinical application of ginseng. For example, daily recommended doses per day are not agreement as 1-2g in the West and 3-6 g in the Orient. Duration of administration also seems variable according to the purpose. Two to three months are generally recommended to feel the benefit but time- and dose-dependent effects of ginseng still need to be solved from now on. Furthermore, the effect of ginsenosides transformed by the intestinal microflora, and differential effect associated with ginsenosides content and its composition also should be clinically evaluated in the future. In conclusion, the more wide-spread use of ginseng as a herbal medicine or nutraceutical supplement warrants the more rigorous investigations to assess its effacy and safety. In addition, a careful quality control of ginseng preparations should be done to ensure an acceptable standardization of commercial products.