• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 1994

Saponin of Panax ginseng (C.A. Meyer) is composed of Protopanaxatriol (PT) and Protopanaxa- diol (PD). We investigated the effects of PT and PD on the contractility and $^{45}Ca$ uptake in the pig coronary artery. Isometric tension in the helical strips and $^{45}Ca$ uptake in the ring strips were measured in the presence or absence of PT and PD. PT and PD did not affect the high K+ (40 mM)-induced contraction but relaxed the ACh-induced contraction in a dose4ependent manner (1~10 mg/dl). The vasorelaxing effect of PT on the ACh-induced contraction was more potent than that of PD. Those relaxations were partially suppressed by the rubbing of endothelium removal. ACh-induced contraction in the $Ca^{2+}$-free Tyrode's solution was suppressed by the pretreatment of PT or PD. Following the depletion of ACh-sensitive intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ pool, ACh-induced contraction was suppressed by the pratreatment of PT or PD. With the pretreatment of PT or PD, $^{45}Ca$ uptake by high K+ (43 mM) was not changed but that by ACh was suppressed in the pig coronary artery. From the above results, we suggested that the vasorelaxing effect of PT and PD of Panax ginseng was due to inhibition of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release, inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake via receptor-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channels and in part a release of vasorelaxing factor from endothelium in pig coronary artery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.323-335
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• 1983

The inhibitory effects of the extract and crude saponin of red and white ginsengs on lipoperoxide formation in vitro and in vivo were studied and correlated with anti-aging. To this end, antioxidant activity, induction period and lipoperoxide were measured by the methods of EDA, POV and TBA value. And also superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity were measured by pyrogallol autoxidation method (${\Delta}A$ 420/min) and initial velocity(${\Delta}A$ 436/min), respectively. From HPLC analysis, the PT/PD ratio of red and white ginsengs was found to be 0.561% and 0.401%, respectively, and red ginseng increased the PT/PD ratio in comparison with white ginseng. The EDA activity of red ginseng was higher than that of white ginseng; red ginseng showed stronger antioxidative effect than white ginseng. The inhibitory effect of red ginseng was lower than that of white ginseng during the induction period. It was proved that high molecular coloring substance was deeply related to the initial stage of lipoperoxidation. There was no significant difference between red and white ginsengs in both in vitro and intraperitoneal administration experiments, and red ginseng was more effective than white ginseng in longterm administration. And also inhibitory effect on lipoperoxide formation was mainly occurred in liver, suggesting that the function of liver played an important role in anti-aging actions. From the measurement of superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity for both ginseng groups intraperitoneally and orally administered, it was found that red ginseng group administered extract and crude saponin showed remarkable inhibitory effects in comparison with white ginseng. In particular, orally administered group showed more stronger inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation in comparison with intraperitoneally administered group. It was also found that the continuous oral administration was more effective than temporary administration. Red ginseng was more notable anti-aging effect in comparison with white ginseng in vivo, and this may be due to the increase of SOD activity in rat-liver. Peroxidase activity also showed similar trend to SOD activity in vitro and in vivo experiments. Red ginseng was not only superior to white ginseng for preservation but also for biochemical and pharmaceutical efficacy.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.286-292
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• 1986

For the elucidation of saponin synthesis during ontogeny changes of ginsenosides and free sugars in seeds during stratification and seedlings in early growth stage were investigated with high performance liquid chrom-atography. Embryo plus endosperm at 40-day stratification showed 80% decrease of total saponin, disappear-ance of Rc, Rb$_2$ and Rb$_1$ and appearance of Rg$_3$ (probable) and 20-Glc-Rf (probable). Leaf ginsenoside F$_3$ was found not in fruit plup but seed and decreased during stratification. Both decomposition and synthesis of saponin seemed to occure during stratification. Ginsenosides in endosperm and embryo might be originated from fruit pulp by penetration. In seedling saponin appeared first in shoot and in root about one month later. Ginsenoside Rc, Rb$_2$, Rb$_1$ appeared in root at the last investigation (June 30) indicating normal saponin synthetic capacity of root. Saponin synthetic rate was twice in leaf than in root. Leaf ginsenoside F$_3$ was found in seedling root. Root saponin Rg$_3$ and 20-Glc-Rf were found in leaf and stem in seedling and decreased with growth suggesting that rate saponin is not such in certain growth stage. Total saponin content was negatively correlated with PT/PD in seeds and arial parts of seedling due to greater change of PD. than PT. Seed at 70days stratification showed high sucrose content. In seedling glucose was main sugar in stem all the while and sucrose in root at early stage while glucose, fructose and sucrose were found in leaf.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.197-201
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• 1995

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the behavioral characteristics of nootropic candidates, entrophenoxine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, piracetam and red ginseng saponin components on stereotyped sniffing behavior induced by apomorphine in rats. Apomorphine, a direct dopaminergic receptor agonist, induced stereotyped behaviors including sniffing licking growing and biting in a dosedependent manner, and that behaviors were completely inhibited when measured at 1 week after 6-ydroxydopamine(6-HDA) treatment. Centrophenoxine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, red ginseng total saponin(TS), panaxatriol (PT), and Rg1 enhanced but panaxadiol (PD) inhibited, whereas piracetam and Rb1 were not effective of the sterotyped sniffing behavior induced by apomorphine(1mg/kg). The enhanced stereotyped behavior by centrophenoxine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, red ginseng total saponin, panaxatriol(PT), and Rg1 seems to have a similarity to entrophenoxine, N-methyl-D-glucamate in modulating of dopaminergic neuroal activity and also my be useful for the nootropic candidates.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2003

Panax ginseng leaf tea was developed for the functional benefit of health, preference and convenience. The leaves of 4-year-old ginseng were selected in July and August. The ginseng leaf was treated by three methods : heat processed tea(HPT), aged tea(AGT) and hot-air dried tea(DRT). The contents and compositions of their crude saponin of ginseng leaves were measured. 1. The content of crude saponin of HPT was the higher than other treatments. The content of HPT was 18.72∼18.82％, ACT 18.24∼18.29％ and DRT 17.02∼17.17％. 2. The harvest time and treatment methods were not affect the composition of ginsenoside in ginseng leaf tea. The ginsenoside-Re was shown the highest value as 1.97∼2.15. And ginsenoside-Rd was 1.48∼1.79, -Rg$_1$ 1.33∼1.58 and -Rb, -Rb$_2$, -Rc in the order. 3. The content of protopanaxadiol(PD) and protopanaxatriol(PT) was shown that DRT was 1.11∼1.13, HPT 1.09～l.12 and AGT 0.92∼1.02. The content of PD and PT were shown similar result at any harvest time. 4. The contents of crude saponin extracted by hot-water at 5 min was the higher ratios in HPT and harvested in July than other treatments. The content of crude saponin of ginseng leaf harvested in July was 15.88% and HPT was 16.88%. The order of contents of ginsenoside were -Re, -Rd, -Rg$_1$, -Rb$_1$, -Rb$_2$, and - Rc. The extraction ratio of crude saponin extracted by the circulated extraction method in 8 hours and 5 min extraction were 81.74∼84.38％. And HPT of ginseng leaf harvested in July was the highest value 84.3％ but the extraction ratio of ginsenoside was 78.00～88.13%. But the extraction ratio of ginsenoside was similar trend in all treatments.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.1 s.53
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• pp.13-20
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• 1999

We previously reported that Korean red ginseng (KRG) has a relaxation effect on the smooth muscles of corpus cavernosum via nitric oxide (NO) pathway and calcium and potassium channels. However, it is suggested that the active ingredients of KRG might be different depending on the sources of preparation, and there might be differences in actions for different compositions. We first investigated the composition of KRG saponins according to the extractions of the various sources of KRG, then with these extractions the relaxation effects were evaluated in vitro and hemodynamical in vivo using New Zealand white rabbit and rat corpus cavernosum. The total compositions of ginsenoside $(G-Rb_1,\;-Rb_2,\;-Rc,\;-Rd,\;G-Re,\;-Rf,\;-Rg_1)$ in fractionated KRG saponin designated as TS-1, TS-2, TS-3 were $41\%,\;40\%,\;and\;62\%,$ respectively, and the ratios of PD saponin and PT saponin (PD/PT) were 1,55, 1.72, 2.25, and 2.61, the values of which were statistically significant. In vitro studies using the rabbit corpus cavernosal muscle strips, the KRG saponin relaxed cavernosal strips in a dose-dependent manner, and same results were observed in in vivo studies, that KRG saponin increased the intracavernosal pressure in the rat. There was difference in the efficacy according to fractionation techniques. The differences in the total contents of ginsenosides did not affect relaxation, rather PT saponin content was statistically related to the degree of cavernosal relaxation, and this action presumed to be mediated by NO pathway and calcium and potassium channels. In conclusion, KRG exerts relaxation which is a key step in erection via combination of effects on NO system or calcium and potassium channels. The efficacy of this action is different to the sources of ginseng, which is affected by the different composition of ginsenosides $(G-Rb_1,\;-Rb_2,\;-Rc,\;-Rd,\;G-Re,\;-Rf,\;-Rg_1).$ Thus the further studies on the active ingredients such as minor ginsenosides and non-saponin components of red ginseng with maximum potency should be sought.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 1985

The saponin yield and its compositional changes of red ginseng extract (RG-EXT) was investigated during extraction at various temperature for 5 times of 8 hours. The higher temperature resulted an increase in solids yield while the total saponin recovered was decreased, particularly at $100^{\circ}C$. A relatively lower thermal stability was found for protopanaxadiol saponin, one of the saponin fractions, than protopanaxatriol saponin. The compositional ratio of saponin at ginsenoside level was little affected by extraction time. The yields data showed that more than 94% of total saponin was recovered by 3$\sim$4 times of 8 hours extraction. Extraction at $80^{\circ}C$ for 4 times of 8 hours were suggested for preparation of RG-EXT from the result of this work.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.84-93
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• 1993

It has been reported that ginseng is effective in the central nervous system, immune system, and the strong inflammatory responses. However, there has been no research report yet about the effect of ginseng on allergic hypersensitivity reactivity. To confirm the ginseng effects on the release of mediators(histamine. leukotrienes etc.) which cause the hypersensitivity reactivity and inflammatory response, we used actively sensitized guinea pig airway tissues by utilizing the superfusion technique. In this procedure. the contractile response and mediators released after antigen stimulation of sensitized tissues, and IgG and IgE antibody products were measured in sera of immunized animals. Then the results of the controll group were compared to those of ginseng pretreatment groups. In the total saponin(TS) and panaxatriol(PT) pretreatment, histamine release decreased by $20\%$ in the tracheal tissues after active sensitization by ovalbumin(OVA, 10mg/kg), but in the lung parenchyma, histamine release decreased by $40\%.$ Panaxadiol(PD) significantly decreased histamine release by $40\%$ in the both tissues after active sensitization. TS, PT and PD of ginseng poorly blocked leukotrienes (LTs) and prostagrandin $D_2(PGD_2)$ release(less than $10\%$). Ginseng TS and PT had no effect on the serum IgG antibody production by ovalbumin, whereas PD significantly increased serum IgG antibody contents(approximately by 2 times). However, $IgG_1$ antibody products in the serum of guinea pig actively sensitized with ovalbumin after PD pretreatment were decreased, compared to that with ovalbumin alone. IgE antibody production by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis(PCA) titer in the TS pretreatment increased 3 times more than in the absence of TS(PCA titer by PT was not detected). These studies show that some ginseng saponins can in part act to inhibit mediator release in antigen - induced airway smooth muscle by inducing the IgG antibody production which has been changed in the specificity.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2009

The difference of ginsenosides content according to placement of ginseng planting (line) under shading net in 5-year-old ginseng roots were examined. The total saponin ($Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, and $Rg_1$) contents were 15.01 mg/g and 21.79 mg/g in the main roots, 35.93 mg/g and 43.32 mg/g in the lateral roots, 87.85 mg/g and 105.51 mg/g in the fine roots for the front $1st{\sim}2nd$ lines in Yunpoong and Landrace variety (purple-stem variant), respectively. In the middle $3rd{\sim}5th$ lines the total saponin contents were 18.73 mg/g and 23.19 mg/g in the main roots, 44.92 mg/g and 43.50 mg/g in the lateral roots, 92.97 mg/g and 110.70 mg/g in the fine roots in Yunpoong and Landrace variety, respectively. In the rear $6th{\sim}7th$ lines the total saponin contents were 21.88 mg/g and 26.68 mg/g in the main roots, 38.41 mg/g and 44.89 mg/g in the lateral roots, 101.03 mg/g and 107.06 mg/g in the fine roots in Yunpoong and Landrace variety, respectively. The differences in total and individual ginsenosides content in the main, lateral and fine roots among the lines were not significant but total ginsenosides contents in the main roots were different in case of Yunpoong variety. The ratios of protopanaxadiol (PD) type saponin to protopanaxatriol (PT) type saponin in roots were lower in the front lines compared to the middle and rear lines and the ratios were significantly different among the parts of roots.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 1998

To evaluate the possibility that the ginseng saponins could be developed as an anti-arteriosclerotic agent, we examined the inhibitory effects of ginseng saponins (total saponin[TS], panaxatriol[PT], panaxadiol[PD]) on the expression of c-fos mRNA and the proliferation of cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by angiotensin II (Ang II). TS and PT (1.0 mg/ml) suppressed c-fos mRNA induction in VSMCs stimulated by $10^{-5}$ M Ang II. The order of inhibitory potency was PT>TS. Ginseng saponins ($0.01{\sim}1.0$ mg/ml) inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs stimulated by Ang II in a concentration dependent manner, the inhibitory potency was TS＞PT＞PD at $0.1{\sim}1.0$ mg/ml. These results suggest that ginseng saponins may suppress Ang II-stimulated proliferation of aortic VSMCs which can be seen in atherosclerosis, hypertension and restenosis.