• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.325-333
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• 2021

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders. Enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis by promoting proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for AD. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) and oleanolic acid (OA) are small, bioactive compounds found in ginseng that can promote NSC proliferation and neural differentiation in vitro. However, it is currently unknown whether PPD or OA can attenuate cognitive deficits by enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo in a transgenic APP/PS1 AD mouse model. Here, we administered PPD or OA to APP/PS1 mice and monitored the effects on cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis. Methods: We used the Morris water maze, Y maze, and open field tests to compare the cognitive capacities of treated and untreated APP/PS1 mice. We investigated hippocampal neurogenesis using Nissl staining and BrdU/NeuN double labeling. NSC proliferation was quantified by Sox2 labeling of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. We used western blotting to determine the effects of PPD and OA on Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway activation in the hippocampus. Results: Both PPD and OA significantly ameliorated the cognitive impairments observed in untreated APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, PPD and OA significantly promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and NSC proliferation. At the mechanistic level, PPD and OA treatments resulted in Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway activation in the hippocampus. Conclusion: PPD and OA ameliorate cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice by enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis, achieved by stimulating the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. As such, PPD and OA are promising novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.58-64
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• 2014

In this study, edible protopanaxadiol saponin enriched fraction were prepared by ultrafiltration (UF). Ginseng extract was prepared from mixtures of ginseng main root and rootlet (root: rootlet = 4 : 6). UF system was used the four-piston Diaphragm pump equipped with 5 kDa pore size Hydrosart Cassette made by regenerated cellulose acetate (CA) or 3 kDa pore size Hollow Fiber cartridge made by polyethersulfone (PES). Total ginsenoside contents of concentrated fraction by UF system was found to higher, compared to before those of untreated method. Especially, processing of UF showed the increase of PPD-type ginsenoside, while PPT-type ginsenoside was gradually decreased by both 3 kDa and 5 kDa membrane. After removal of 80% water by the 5 kDa Hydrosart Cassette and by 3 kDa Hollow Fiber cartridge, ginsenoside Rb1 content was higher 37.2 mg/g and 25.3 mg/g than 20.8 mg/g in untreated process. The ratio of Rb1 to Rg1 (Rb1/Rg1) and PPD- to PPT- type ginsenoside (PPD/PPT) were higher in inner fluid of ginseng extract after UF by 3 kDa cartridge (47.1 and 23.5, respectively) and 5 kDa Cassette (25.3 and 11.9, respectively) than those of before UF (5.7 and 3.7, respectively). PPD-type ginsenoside enriched fraction by UF system could be developed as a new ginseng material in food and cosmetic industrials.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.475-482
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• 2020

Background: Active natural ingredients, especially small molecules, have recently received wide attention as modifiers used to treat neurodegenerative disease by promoting neurogenic regeneration of neural stem cell (NSC) in situ. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), one of the bioactive ingredients in ginseng, possesses neuroprotective properties. However, the effect of PPD on NSC proliferation and differentiation and its mechanism of action are incompletely understood. Methods: In this study, we investigated the impact of PPD on NSC proliferation and neuronal lineage differentiation through activation of the Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β/β-catenin pathway. NSC migration and proliferation were investigated by neurosphere assay, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and EdU assay. NSC differentiation was analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Involvement of the Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway was examined by molecular simulation and Western blot and verified using gene transfection. Results: PPD significantly promoted neural migration and induced a significant increase in NSC proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a remarkable increase in anti-microtubule-associated protein 2 expression and decrease in nestin protein expression were induced by PPD. During the differentiation process, PPD targeted and stimulated the phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9 and the active forms of β-catenin, resulting in activation of the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Transfection of NSCs with a constitutively active GSK-3β mutant at S9A significantly hampered the proliferation and neural differentiation mediated by PPD. Conclusion: PPD promotes NSC proliferation and neural differentiation in vitro via activation of the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway by targeting GSK-3β, potentially having great significance for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.392-402
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• 2017

Background: Previously, we reported that Korean Red Ginseng inhibited liver fibrosis in mice and reduced the expressions of fibrogenic genes in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The present study was undertaken to identify the major ginsenoside responsible for reducing the numbers of HSCs and the underlying mechanism involved. Methods: Using LX-2 cells (a human immortalized HSC line) and primary activated HSCs, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assays were conducted to examine the cytotoxic effects of ginsenosides. $H_2O_2$ productions, glutathione contents, lactate dehydrogenase activities, mitochondrial membrane permeabilities, apoptotic cell subpopulations, caspase-3/-7 activities, transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and immunoblot analysis were performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism responsible for ginsenoside-mediated cytotoxicity. Involvement of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-related signaling pathway was examined using a chemical inhibitor and small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection. Results and conclusion: Of the 11 ginsenosides tested, 20S-protopanaxadiol (PPD) showed the most potent cytotoxic activity in both LX-2 cells and primary activated HSCs. Oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis induced by 20S-PPD was blocked by N-acetyl-$\text\tiny L$-cysteine pretreatment. In addition, 20S-PPD concentration-dependently increased the phosphorylation of AMPK, and compound C prevented 20S-PPD-induced cytotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, 20S-PPD increased the phosphorylation of liver kinase B1 (LKB1), an upstream kinase of AMPK. Likewise, transfection of LX-2 cells with LKB1 siRNA reduced the cytotoxic effect of 20S-PPD. Thus, 20S-PPD appears to induce HSC apoptosis by activating LKB1-AMPK and to be a therapeutic candidate for the prevention or treatment of liver fibrosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.666-674
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenosides and their metabolites have antidepressant-like effects, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We previously identified 14-3-3 ζ as one of the target proteins of 20 (S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), a fully deglycosylated ginsenoside metabolite. Methods: Corticosterone (CORT) was administered repeatedly to induce the depression model, and PPD was given concurrently. The tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST) were used for behavioral evaluation. All mice were sacrificed. Golgi-cox staining, GSK 3β activity assay, and Western blot analysis were performed. In vitro, the kinetic binding analysis with the Biolayer Interferometry (BLI) was used to determine the molecular interactions. Results: TST and FST both revealed that PPD reversed CORT-induced behavioral deficits. PPD also ameliorated the CORT-induced expression alterations of hippocampal Ser9 phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-Ser9 GSK 3β), Ser133 phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-Ser133 CREB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, PPD attenuated the CORT-induced increase in GSK 3β activity and decrease in dendritic spine density in the hippocampus. In vitro, 14-3-3 ζ protein specifically bound to p-Ser9 GSK 3β polypeptide. PPD promoted the binding and subsequently decreased GSK 3β activity. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated the antidepressant-like effects of PPD on the CORT-induced mouse depression model and indicated a possible target-based mechanism. The combination of PPD with the 14-3-3 ζ protein may promote the binding of 14-3-3 ζ to p-GSK 3β (Ser9) and enhance the inhibition of Ser9 phosphorylation on GSK 3β kinase activity, thereby activating the plasticity-related CREBeBDNF signaling pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.662-671
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• 2023

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), a ginsenoside metabolite, has prominent benefits for the central nervous system, especially in improving learning and memory. However, its transcriptional targets in brain tissue remain unknown. Methods: In this study, we first used mass spectrometry-based drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) to identify the potential proteins of ginsenosides and intersected them with the transcription factor library. Second, the transcription factor PURA was confirmed as a target of PPD by biolayer interferometry (BLI) and molecular docking. Next, the effect of PPD on the transcriptional levels of target genes of PURA in brain tissues was determined by qRT-PCR. Finally, bioinformatics analysis was used to analyze the potential biological features of these target proteins. Results: The results showed three overlapping transcription factors between the proteomics of DARTS and transcription factor library. BLI analysis further showed that PPD had a higher direct interaction with PURA than parent ginsenosides. Subsequently, BLI kinetic analysis, molecular docking, and mutations in key amino acids of PURA indicated that PPD specifically bound to PURA. The results of qRT-PCR showed that PPD could increase the transcription levels of PURA target genes in brain. Finally, bioinformatics analysis showed that these target proteins were involved in learning and memory function. Conclusion: The above-mentioned findings indicate that PURA is a transcription target of PPD in brain, and PPD upregulate the transcription levels of target genes related to cognitive dysfunction by binding PURA, which could provide a chemical and biological basis for the study of treating cognitive impairment by targeting PURA.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.171-180
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• 2024

Background: Epimers of ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have a low bioavailability and are prone to deglycosylation, which produces epimers of ginsenoside Rh2 (S-Rh2 and R-Rh2) and protopanaxadiol (S-PPD and R-PPD). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and potency of these molecules as anti-cancer agents. Methods: Crystal violet staining was used to study the anti-proliferatory action of the molecules on a human epithelial breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and compare their potency. Cell death and cell cycle were studied using flow cytometry and mode of cell death was studied using live cell imaging. Anti-angiogenic effects of the drug were studied using loop formation assay. Molecular docking showed the interaction of these molecules with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and aquaporin (AQP) water channels. VEGF bioassay was used to study the interaction of Rh2 with VEGFR2, in vitro. Results: HUVEC was the more sensitive cell line to the anti-proliferative effects of S-Rh2, S-PPD and R-PPD. The molecules induced necroptosis/necrosis in MDA-MB-231 and apoptosis in HUVEC. S-Rh2 was the most potent inhibitor of loop formation. In silico molecular docking predicted a good binding score between Rh2 or PPD and the ATP-binding pocket of VEGFR2. VEGF bioassay showed that Rh2 was an allosteric modulator of VEGFR2. In addition, SRh2 and PPD had good binding scores with AQP1 and AQP5, both of which play roles in cell migration and proliferation. Conclusion: The combination of these molecules might be responsible for the anti-cancer effects observed by Rg3.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.316-323
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• 2009

인삼 사포닌은 면역계에 다양한 약리 효과를 발휘한다. 20(S)-프로토파낙사다이올 (PPD) 및 20(S)- 프로토파낙사트리올 (PPT)은 장내 세균에 의하여 생성되는 인삼 대사체의 일종이며 생체 내 투여 시 순환계에서 탐지된다. 활성화된 비만 세포로부터의 염증 매개체 유리에 미치는 20(S)-프로토파낙사다이올 (PPD) 및 20(S)-프로토파낙사트리올 (PPT)의 영향을 평가하였다. 인삼 사포닌 대사체를 처치 후, 히스타민 유리는 활성화된 해명 폐 비만세포에서 평가하였으며, 인터루킨-4, 인터루킨-8, 및 종양괴사인자-알파 유리는 HMC-1 비만세포에서 평가하였다. 결과는 다음과 같다. PPT는 최고 $100\;{\mu}M$ 농도에서 PMA에 의하여 자극된 HMC-1 세포로부터의 인터루킨-4 유리를 완전히 차단하였다. 또한, 이는 HMC-1 세포로부터의 인터루킨-8의 유리를, PMA와 DMSO동시 처치 시얻어진 수치를 기준으로 대략 40-50% 정도 억제하였다. PPD는 최고 $100\;{\mu}M$ 농도에서 해명 폐 비만세포로부터의 히스타민 유리를 초래하였으나 통계적 유의성은 없었다. PPD는 HMC-1 세포에 PMA와 DMSO 동시 처치 시 얻어진 수치를 기준으로 할 때, 인터루킨-4의 유리를 대략 89% 정도 억제하였으나, 인터루킨-8의 유리에는 유의적인 효과를 초래하지 않았다. 그러나 PPD 및 PPT 모두, PMA에 의하여 자극된 HMC-1 세포로부터의 종양괴사 인자-알파의 유리에는 전혀 효과를 나타내지 않았다. 그러므로 본 연구 결과는 PPD와 PPT가 경구로 투여된 인삼 추출물의 면역조절 작용을 담당하는 장내 인삼 대사체 중의 한 종류임을 제시한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.5-10
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• 2004

본 연구에서는 PQ의 독성과 홍삼 성분의 항산화 활성성분을 알아보기 위해 생쥐를 이용하여 PQ 투여 후 총 사포닌, PPD, PPT성분을 1, 3, 7일간 경구 투여한 후, 간 조직에서의 SOD, CAT GPx의 활성과 GSH, MDA 및 과산화수소 함량등을 측정 비교함으로써 홍삼의 항산화활성 성분이 PQ 독성에 대한 회복 작용 그리고 지질과산화와의 상호 관련성을 검토하였다. 항산화 효소인 SOD, CAT GPx활성도는 전반적으로 PPD계가 높았고, SOD 활성은 PPD 투석군에서 전일에 걸쳐 가장 높은 활성을 보였다. 과산화수소의 함량은 PQ 투여군 기준으로 PPD 투여군에서 가장 낮은 결과를 보였다. 자유 라디칼에 의해 생성된 지질과산화의 최종산물인 MDA의 함량은 사포닌 투여군에서 유의성 있게 감소하였으며, 특히 PPD에서 다른 투여군들에 비해 현저한 함량 감소를 보였다. 이와 같이 사포닌의 항산화효과는 SOD, CAT및 GPx와 같은 항산화 효소의 직접적인 작용과 홍삼의 특정 성분들이 생체 내에서 내인성 항산화 물질의 합성능력을 강화시킴으로서 산화적 손상에 대한 회복작용을 향상시키는 결과로 생각된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.126-133
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• 2021

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (20(S)-PPD), one of the aglycone derivatives of major ginsenosides, has been shown to have an anticancer activity toward a variety of cancers. This study was initiated with an attempt to evaluate its anti-cancer activity toward human endometrial cancer by cell and xenograft mouse models. Methods: Human endometrial cancer (HEC)-1A cells were incubated with different 20(S)-PPD concentrations. 20(S)-PPD cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using the annexin V binding assay and cell cycle analysis. Cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and activated caspase-9 were assessed using western blotting. HEC-1A cell tumor xenografts in athymic mice were generated by inoculating HEC-1A cells into the flank of BALB/c female mice and explored to validate 20(S)-PPD anti-endometrial cancer toxicity. Results: 20(S)-PPD inhibited HEC-1A cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 3.5 μM at 24 h. HEC-1A cells morphologically changed after 20(S)-PPD treatment, bearing resemblance to Taxol-treated cells. Annexin V-positive cell percentages were 0%, 10.8%, and 58.1% in HEC-1A cells when treated with 0, 2.5, and 5 μM of 20(S)-PPD, respectively, for 24 h. 20(S)-PPD subcutaneously injected into the HEC-1A cell xenograft-bearing mice three times a week for 17 days manifested tumor growth inhibition by as much as 18% at a dose of 80 mg/kg, which sharply contrasted to controls that showed an approximately 2.4-fold tumor volume increase. These events paralleled caspase-9 activation and PARP cleavage. Conclusion: 20(S)-PPD inhibits endometrial cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell death via a caspase-mediated apoptosis pathway. Therefore, the 20(S)-PPD-like ginsenosides are endowed with ample structural information that could be utilized to develop other ginsenoside-based anticancer agents.