• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2022

Objective : This study aims to investigate the active ingredients and potential mechanisms of the beneficial herb on human cancers such as the liver by employing network pharmacology. Methods : Ingredients and their target information was obtained from various databases such as TM-MC, TTD, and Drugbank. Related protein for liver cancer was retrieved from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database and literature. A hypergeometric test and gene set enrichment analysis were conducted to evaluate associations between protein targets of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) and liver cancer-related proteins and identify related signaling pathways, respectively. Network proximity was employed to identify active ingredients of red ginseng on liver cancer. Results : A compound-target network of red ginseng was constructed, which consisted of 363 edges between 53 ingredients and 121 protein targets. MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, and cell cycle pathway was significantly associated with protein targets of red ginseng. Network proximity results indicated that Ginsenoside Rg1, Acetic Acid, Ginsenoside Rh2, 20(R)-Ginsenoside Rg3, Notoginsenoside R1, Ginsenoside Rk1, 2-Methylfuran, Hexanal, Ginsenoside Rd, Ginsenoside Rh1 could be active ingredients of red ginseng against liver cancer. Conclusion : This study suggests that network-based approaches could be useful to explore potential mechanisms and active ingredients of red ginseng for liver cancer.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.536-539
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• 2003

Commercial white and red ginseng concentrates were analysed for total ginsenoside contents, and compositions of ginsenosides $Rb_1,\;Rb_2,\;Rc,\;Re,\;Rf,\;Rg_1,\;20(S)\;Rg_3,\;20(S)\;Rh_1,\;and\;20(R)\;Rh_1$. The content of crude saponin and total ginsenosides of white ginseng concentrates (WGC) were about 2-3 times higher than those of red ginseng concentrates (RGC). HPLC showed that each ginsenoside content was higher in WGC, with those of $Rb_1,\;Rg_1,\;and\;Rb_2$ being over three times higher than that of RGC. 20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$, specific artifacts found only in red ginseng, were detected both in WGC and RGC by HPLC. differences in the contents of these specific ginsenosides between WGC and RGC were not significant. The contents of 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_1$, determined by HPLC were 0.40 and 0.53 in WGC, whereas 0.48% and 0.47%, and those of 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$, were 0.14 and 0.22% in WGC, and 0.10 and 0.11% in RGC using the methods of shibata and food Code, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.282-287
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the difference of ginsenoside compositions in crude ginseng saponins prepared by five different methods including three new methods. Two known methods are hot methanol(MeOH) extraction/n-butanol(n-BuOH) fractionation and hot MeOH extraction/Diaion HP-20 adsorption/MeOH elution. Three new methods are hot MeOH extraction/cation AG 50W $absorption/H_2O$ elution/n-BuOH extraction, cool MeOH extraction/Diaion HP-20 adsorption/MeOH elution and direct extraction with ethyl acetate(EtOAc)/n-BuOH. Analysis of ginsenoside composition in the crude saponins by conventional HPLC/RI(Refractive Index) did not show great difference between methods except EtOAc/n-BuOH method. However, HPLC/ELSD (evaporative light scattering detector) employing gradient mobile phase afforded fine resolution of ginsenoside Rf, $Rg_1$ and $Rh_1$, and great difference of ginsenoside compositions between methods. LC/MS revealed that large amount of prosapogenins were produced during the pass through the cation exchange (AG 50W) column being strongly acidic. Six major ginsenosides such as $Rb_1,w;Rb_2,$ Rc, Rd, Re and $Rg_1$, 5 prosapogenins and one chikusetsusaponin were identified by LC/MS. A newly established HPLC method employing ODS column and gradient mobile phase of $KH_2PO_4/CH_3CN$ revealed that malonyl ginsenosides were detected only in the crude saponin obtained from cool MeOH extraction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.390-396
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• 2008

For evaluating the quality of ginseng, simple and fast analysis methods are needed to determine the ginsenoside content of the ginseng products. The aim of this study was therefore to optimize conditions for fast analysis of the ginsenosides, the active ingredients in extracts of Korean red ginseng. When tandem HPLC mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used, four forms of ginsenoside, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Re, were readily separated in seven minutes using a gradient mobile phase (acetonitrile and water containing acetic acid). This is the shortest separation time reported among the studies of major ginsenoside analysis. When gradient HPLC with UV detection was used, the detection limit was high, but separation of these four ginsenosides required 25 minutes using acetonitrile and water containing formic acid as a mobile phase. HPLC-MS/MS was able to separate ginsenoside Rg1 easily regardless of the mobile phase condition, but the HPLC-UV could not separate Rg1 because acetonitrile concentration in the mobile phase had to be maintained below 20%. Ginsenoside peaks were clearer and had more sensitive detection limits when Korean red ginseng extract was analyzed by the HPLC-MS/MS, but the UV detection was useful for chromatographic fingerprinting of all four major ginsenosides of the extract: Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Re. Extracts were found to contain 2.17 mg, 1.51 mg, 1.29 mg, and 0.46 mg of ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Re, respectively, per gram weight. The ratios of each ginsenoside in the extracts were 1.0 : 0.7 : 0.6 : 0.2, respectively. Taken together, the results indicate that HPLC-MS/MS spectrometry could be the most useful method for rapid analysis of even small amounts of major ginsenosides, while HPLC with UV detection could also be used for rapid analysis of major ginsenosides and for quality control of ginseng products.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.274-281
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• 2020

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) goes through the epidermis and promotes release of inflammatory cytokines in keratinocytes. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), one of the keratinocyte-derived cytokines, regulates proliferation and differentiation of melanocytes. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways regulate expression of GM-CSF. Based on these results, we found that ginsenoside Rh3 prevented GM-CSF production and release in UV-B-exposed SP-1 keratinocytes and that this inhibitory effect resulted from the reduction of PKCδ and ERK phosphorylation. Methods: We investigated the mechanism by which ginsenoside Rh3 from Panax ginseng inhibited GM-CSF release from UV-B-irradiated keratinocytes. Results: Treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or UV-B induced release of GM-CSF in the SP-1 keratinocytes. To elucidate whether the change in GM-CSF expression could be related to PKC signaling, the cells were pretreated with H7, an inhibitor of PKC, and irradiated with UV-B. GM-CSF was decreased by H7 in a dose-dependent manner. When we analyzed which ginsenosides repressed GM-CSF expression among 15 ginsenosides, ginsenoside Rh3 showed the largest decline to 40% of GM-CSF expression in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot analysis showed that TPA enhanced the phosphorylation of PKCδ and ERK in the keratinocytes. When we examined the effect of ginsenoside Rh3, we identified that ginsenoside Rh3 inhibited the TPA-induced phosphorylation levels of PKCδ and ERK. Conclusion: In summary, we found that ginsenoside Rh3 impeded UV-B-induced GM-CSF production through repression of PKCδ and ERK phosphorylation in SP-1 keratinocytes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.40-51
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 shows promising tumor-suppressive effects in ovarian cancer via inhibiting NF-kB signaling. This study aimed to explore the downstream tumor suppressive mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 via this signaling pathway. Materials and methods: A systematical screening was applied to examine the expression profile of 41 kinesin family member genes in ovarian cancer. The regulatory effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on KIF20A expression was studied. In addition, we explored interacting proteins of KIF20A and their molecular regulations in ovarian cancer. RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used for bioinformatic analysis. Epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and A2780 were used as in vitro and in vivo cell models. Commercial human ovarian cancer tissue arrays were used for immunohistochemistry staining. Results: KIF20A is a biomarker of poor prognosis among the kinesin genes. It promotes ovarian cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Ginsenoside Rg3 can suppress the transcription of KIF20A. GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation (IP) assays confirmed that KIF20A physically interacts with BTRC (β-TrCP1), a substrate recognition subunit for SCF^β-TrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase. In vitro ubiquitination and cycloheximide (CHX) chase assays showed that via interacting with BTRC, KIF20A reduces BTRC-mediated CDC25A poly-ubiquitination and enhances its stability. Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment partly abrogates KIF20A overexpression-induced CDC25A upregulation. Conclusion: This study revealed a novel anti-tumor mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3. It can inhibit KIF20A transcription and promote CDC25A proteasomal degradation in epithelial ovarian cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2020

Background: Panax ginseng has been used for a variety of medical purposes in eastern countries for more than two thousand years. From the extensive experiences accumulated in its long medication use history and the substantial strong evidence in modern research studies, we know that ginseng has various pharmacological activities, such as antitumor, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and cardiovascular system-protective effects. The active chemical constituents of ginseng, ginsenosides, are rich in structural diversity and exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Methods: Ginsenoside constituents from P. ginseng flower buds were isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods, and their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the reported data. The 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H- tetrazolium bromide method was used to test their cytotoxic effects on three human cancer cell lines. Results: Six ginsenosides, namely 6'-malonyl formyl ginsenoside F₁ (1), 3β-acetoxyl ginsenoside F₁ (2), ginsenoside Rh₂₄ (6), ginsenoside Rh₂₅ (7), 7β-hydroxyl ginsenoside Rd (8) and ginsenoside Rh₂₆ (10) were isolated and elucidated as new compounds, together with four known compounds (3-5 and 9). In addition, the cytotoxicity of these isolated compounds was shown as half inhibitory concentration values, a tentative structure-activity relationship was also discussed based on the results of our bioassay. Conclusion: The study of chemical constituents was useful for the quality control of P. ginseng flower buds. The study on antitumor activities showed that new Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against HL-60, MGC80-3 and Hep-G2 with half inhibitory concentration values of 16.74, 29.51 and 20.48 μM, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.847-850
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• 2004

Cooking basic information for indexing of fresh ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) was determined. Ginsenoside contents of various age fresh ginseng roots cultivated in Northeast Asia were quantitatively analyzed by HPLC. Average contents of total saponin and each ginsenoside of 4-year-old fresh ginseng root cultivated in Korea were higher than those cultivated fur longer periods (5- and 6-year-old). One-way analysis variance showed average contents of total saponin and each ginsenoside of 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old fresh ginseng roots were not statistically significant. Four-year-old fresh ginseng root cultivated at Geumsan, Korea contained the highest ginsenoside content among samples studied.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.288-295
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• 2010

Ginsenosides are the principal components responsible for the pharmacological and biological activities of ginseng. Ginsenoside Rd was transformed into compound K using cell-free extracts of food microorganisms, with Lactobacillus pentosus DC101 isolated from kimchi (traditional Korean fermented food) used for this conversion. The optimum time for the conversion was about 72 h at a constant pH of 7.0 and an optimum temperature of about $30^{\circ}C$. The transformation products were identified by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were assigned using nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Generally, ginsenoside Rd was converted into ginsenoside F2 by 36 h post-reaction. Consequently, over 97% of ginsenoside Rd was decomposed and converted into compound K by 72 h post-reaction. The bioconversion pathway to produce compound K is as follows: ginsenoside Rd$\rightarrow$ginsenoside F2$\rightarrow$compound K.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.277-287
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• 2018

Background: Temperature is an essential condition in red ginseng processing. The pharmacological activities of red ginseng under different steam temperatures are significantly different. Methods: In this study, an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry was developed to distinguish the red ginseng products that were steamed at high and low temperatures. Multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis and supervised orthogonal partial least squared discrimination analysis were used to determine the influential components of the different samples. Results: The results showed that different steamed red ginseng samples can be identified, and the characteristic components were 20-gluco-ginsenoside Rf, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rg1, and malonyl-ginsenoside Rb1 in red ginseng steamed at low temperature. Meanwhile, the characteristic components in red ginseng steamed at high temperature were 20R-ginsenoside Rs3 and ginsenoside Rs4. Polar ginsenosides were abundant in red ginseng steamed at low temperature, whereas higher levels of less polar ginsenosides were detected in red ginseng steamed at high temperature. Conclusion: This study makes the first time that differences between red ginseng steamed under different temperatures and their ginsenosides transformation have been observed systematically at the chemistry level. The results suggested that the identified chemical markers can be used to illustrate the transformation of ginsenosides in red ginseng processing.