• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.251-258
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• 1996

Panax ginseng has been used for various diseases including hepatic disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of ethanol extract and saponin of Panax ginseng in thioacetamide-intoxicated rats and to compare with silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given single intragastric administration of thioacetamide. Aqueous solutions of ethanol extract and saponin of Panax ginseng with or without silymarin were administered intragastrically daily for six days from four days before until one day after thioacetamide administration. At the end of the treatment, the rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed. As a result, thioacetamide caused significant increase in serum levels of AST, ALT, 5'-nucleotidase and bilirubin. Thioacetamide increased $Ca^++$ content but decreased protein content in liver tissue. These thioacetamide-induced biochemical changes were prevented both by ethanol extract of ginseng and silymarin, but not by ginseng saponin. Silymarin did not potentlate the effect of either ethanol extract or saponin of ginseng on these parameters. Thioacetamide-induced confluent necrosis was not protected by the test drugs. In conclusion, ethanol extract of ginseng protects the liver possibly by stabilizing the cell membrane and by inhibiting thioacetamide-induced $Ca^++$ increase in the hepatocytes, which was comparable to that of silymarin.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.506-514
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• 2023

Dementia has become one of the most important diseases threatening human health. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) have the highest incidence rates among the types of dementia, but until now, therapeutic methods have been limited. Panax ginseng has been used in China for thousands of years to treat dementia, and modern medical studies have found that it contains multiple active components, such as ginsenosides, polysaccharides, amino acids, volatile oils and polyacetylenes, many of which have therapeutic effects in treating AD and VaD. Studies have found that ginsenosides have multitarget therapeutic effects in treating dementia, such as regulation of synaptic plasticity and the cholinergic system, inhibition of Aβ aggravation and tau hyperphosphorylation, anti-neuroinflammation, anti-oxidation effects and anti-apoptosis effects. Other active components of Panax ginseng, such as gintonin, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and ginseng proteins, also have therapeutic effects on AD and VaD. The effectiveness of ginseng-containing Chinese medicine compounds has also been confirmed by clinical and basic investigations in treating AD and VaD. In this review, we summarized the potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms of Panax ginseng in treating AD and VaD to provide some examples for further studies.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Panax ginseng (Ginseng or Korean ginseng) is one of the most important medicinal herbs in the world. We made a high-quality whole genome sequence of P. ginseng using 'Chunpoong' cultivar, which is the first cultivar registered in Korea Seed and Variety Service (KSVS) with relatively similar genotypes and superior phenotypes, representing approximately 3 Gbp and 60,000 genes. Genome sequence analyses of P. ginseng and related speciesrevealed the origin of Korean ginseng and the ecological adaptation of 18 Panax species around the world. Korean ginseng and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius) are tetraploid species having 24 chromosome pairs, while the other 16 species are diploid species with 12 chromosome pairs. Panax and Aralia are the closest genera belonging to the Araliaceae family that diverged approximately 8 million years ago (MYA). All Panax species evolved as shade plants adapting to cool climates and low light conditions under the canopy of deep forests from Southeast Asia such as Vietnam to Northeast Asia such as Russia approximately 6 MYA. However, through recurrent ice ages and global warming, most diploid Panax species disappeared due to the freezing winter, while tetraploid P. ginseng may have appeared by allotetraploidization, which contributed to the adaptation to cold temperaturesin Northeast Asian countries including the Korea peninsula approximately 2 MYA. American ginseng evolved by the adaptation of P. ginseng in Northeast America after the intercontinental migration 1 MYA. Meanwhile, most of diploid Panax species survived in high-altitude mountains over 1,600 meters in Southeast Asia because they could not endure the hot temperature and freezing cold. The genome sequence provides good basisto unveil the origin and evolution of ginseng and also supports practical gene chips which is useful for breeding and the ginseng industry.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.90-94
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• 2004

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Panax Ginseng (인삼) on the sperm motility and spermatogenesis in the male rat. Methods : We used 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats, and administered the extract powder of Panax Ginseng to 5 rats (treated group) and normal saline (control group) once a day for 28 days. We isolated their testes surgically, then observed the change of the body weights before and after administration of Panax Ginseng extracts and normal saline. We observed the weight of the testes, epididymis, vascular gland, and prostate. Also, we examined the total, normal motile sperm concentration, and the concentration of testicular catalase and peroxidase. Results : We found that the concentration of normal, motile sperm in the testes of the Panax Ginseng group showed a significant difference compared with the control group. The angiogenesis of the seminiferous tubule was increased and the increasement of the number of spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocyte was observed in the Panax Ginseng group through a microscope. The body weight, the weight of the testes, epididymis, prostate and the concentration of testicular catalase and peroxidase were higher in the Panax Ginseng group but showed no significant difference. Conclusion : This study shows that Panax Ginseng may have an effect on the morphology and motility of sperm, the important factor in male fertility, and can promote the concentration of antioxidants, catalase and peroxidase, which is the important factor in spermatogenesis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2008

Terpene synthase plays a key role in biosynthesis of triterpene saponins (ginsenosides) and is intermediate in the biosynthesis of a number of secondary metabolites. A terpene synthase (PgTPS) cDNA was isolated and characterized from the root of Panax ginseng c.A. Meyer. The deduced amino acid sequence of PgTPS showed a similarity with A. deliciosa (AAX16121) 61%, V. vinifera (AAS66357) 61%, L. hirsutum (AAG41891) 55%, M. truncatula (AAV36464) 52%. And the segment of a terpene synthase gene was amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). We studied expression of terpene synthase under stressful conditions like chilling, salt, UV, and heavy metal stress treatment. Expression of PgTPS was increased gradually after exposure to stresses such as chilling, salt, and UV illumination. But its transcription seems to be reduced by cadmium and copper treatment.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.206-212
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• 1984

The effect of saponin fractions of Panax ginseng root on the interactions of human plasma lipoproteins and lecithin dispersions with dextran sulfate were studied in order to examine the effect of Panax ginseng on the lipid accumulation in the aorta. The total saponin fraction and protopanaxadiol glycosides of Panax ginseng root seemed to slightly enhance the interaction of low density lipoproteins with dextran sulfate in the absence of divalent metal ions. Protopanaxatriol glycosides remarkably inhibited the interaction of low density lipoproteins with dextran sulfate. However, all of these three saponin fractions of Panax ginseng root showed the tendency of inhibition to the interaction of high density lipoproteins with dextran sulfate in the presence of divalent metal ions by the order of protopanxatriol glycosides, protopanaxadiol glycosides and total saponin. Three saponin fractions of Panax ginseng exerted almost same tendency to the interaction of lecithin dispersions with dextran sulfate in the presence of divalent metal ions as the interaction of low density lipoproteins with dextran sulfate absence of divalent metal ions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-34
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• 1979

Our nation is confronted with the situation that the rice, a principal food, short of some essential amino acids, leads to imbalanced meals insufficient in the nutrient of Protein, to bring many difficulties in the elevation of nutritional state in our nation. While. our country has been produced much amounts of Panax Ginseng roots which has a stimulating effects on the metabolism of protein, lipid and nucleic acids in the body. And the leaf and trunk of Panax Ginseng were also produced a considerable amounts as the by-products. Author believe that these by-products (leaf and trunk) of Panax Ginseng might have some components possessing simillar activity with Panax Ginseng root although the quantity and qualify of the functional components may more or less be different. Therefore, this study was demised to observe the supplemental effect of the Panax Ginseng-by-Products on the dietary protein efficiency and nutritional state of rats. The feeds used for this experiment were rice containing 30% barely, fish four, and the leaf, trunk and small root of the Panax Ginseng, and the contents of the general nutrients including protein, lipid and carbohydrate etc. in each feed were analyzed for the combination of each feed. And, being based on analytical values of Protein in food. fish Pour as Protein source was added were rice containing 30% barely to be include 8.6 to 8.7%, 12%, 15% and 18% of protein. Then 2% of the leaf, trunk or small reef of Panax Ginseng was supplemented into each of above protein diet group, ton 16 kinds of diets were Prepared. The male albino rats from a Pure strain, weighing 70g to 80g. were used for experimental animals. They were maintained with coresponding fist for f and 8 weeks, and the growth rate, consumption of diets and protein, efficiency of feed and Protein in animals were determined. The lipids, proteins and cholesterols in serum and liver were also determined quantitatively after they were sacrificed in coresponding term. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Body weigh of diet group containing 8.6 to 8.7%,12%, and 15% of protein are increased remarkably by supplement of 2% of the leaf or small root of Panax Ginseng in comparison with each of controls. But this tendency could not observed in diet group containing 18eA Proteins. 2. Feed efficiency showed same tendency in comparison with changes of gained body weight. Specially, in each of diets containing 8.7%, 12%, 15% and 18% of Proteins, supplement of the leaf of Panax Ginseng showed the better feed efficiency than supplement of the trunk or small root. 3. In feeding group for 8 weeks, protein efficiency showed worst efficiency in diet containing 18% proteins and showed the best efficiency was the diet group containing 12% Proteins. And the efficiency was improved according to supplement of the leaf of Panax Ginseng. 4. Nitrogen contents in serum and liver did not show large differences each other in all diet groups. But contexts of total cholesterol and 1ipid were decreased markedly in diet groups containing 12%, 15% and 18% of proteins in comparison with diet group containing 8.6% to 8.8% of proteins.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1996

Effects of Panax ginseng on allergic reactions were studied uslng various in vivo and in vitro experimental models such as 48-hr passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, mediators-induced skin reactions, histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells, and lipoxygenase assay . In all of anti-allergic experiments we conducted, ginseng components (50% ethanol extract or ginseng total saponin or ginsenosides) extracted from Korean red ginseng, did not show significant anti-allergic actions. In 48-hr passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and mediators-induced skin reactions, 50% ethanol extract did not suppress hypersensitivity reactions. Total saponin, 50% ethanol extract, and 8 major ginsenosides did not show inhibitory effects on lipoxygeanse activity. Ginseng total saponin did not inhibit histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. All of the ginseng components mentioned above were also tested on RBL-2H3 cells, but none of them inhibited hexosaminidase release from this cell line. These results suggest that Panax ginseng does not have effects on allergic reactions at the level of 50% ethanol extract or total saponin used. All of 8 major saponin components tested ($Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$, $Rg_2$), did not inhibit lipoxygenase activity and degranulation events.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.361-369
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• 2017

Background: The chemical constituents of Panax ginseng are changed by processing methods such as steaming or sun drying. In the present study, the chemical change of Panax ginseng induced by steaming was monitored in situ. Methods: Samples were separated from the same ginseng root by incision during the steaming process, for in situ monitoring. Sampling was sequentially performed in three stages; FG (fresh ginseng) ${\rightarrow}$ SG (steamed ginseng) ${\rightarrow}$ RG (red ginseng) and 60 samples were prepared and freeze dried. The samples were then analyzed to determine 43 constituents among three stages of P. ginseng. Results: The results showed that six malonyl-ginsenoside (Rg1, Rb1, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Rb2) and 15 amino acids were decreased in concentration during the steaming process. In contrast, ginsenoside-Rh1, 20(S)-Rg2, 20(S, R)-Rg3 and Maillard reaction product such as AF (arginine-fructose), AFG (arginine-fructose-glucose), and maltol were newly generated or their concentrations were increased. Conclusion: This study elucidates the dynamic changes in the chemical components of P. ginseng when the steaming process was induced. These results are thought to be helpful for quality control and standardization of herbal drugs using P. ginseng and they also provide a scientific basis for pharmacological research of processed ginseng (Red ginseng).

• 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.