• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.349-354
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• 2013

Dried ginseng (DG) is in fact the representing ginseng product in the worldwide market. Although it is made in various packages depending on the processing method, size and age of DG, basic scientific data reporting the chemical components are limited. In this study, 4-year-old curved ginseng (CG), one of the domestic DG products, was selected for further investigation. Eighty-six samples of 30 and 50 piece-grade CG, which are the most widely distributed in the market, were collected for 5 yr. Their major components, such as moisture, total sugar, acidic polysaccharides, total phenolic compounds, and saponins, were analyzed to figure out the standard quality characteristics. The moisture content of all CG samples was less than 15%. The total water-soluble sugar contents were 22.9% to 47.8% and 23.2% to 49.5% in the 30 and 50 piece-grade CG, respectively. The acidic polysaccharide contents were 3.6% to 6.7% and 2.9% to 6.9% in the 30 and 50 piece-grade CG, respectively. The total phenolic compound content was 0.4% to 0.5% in CG, regardless of the piece-grade. The crude saponin content, which represents the active component of ginseng, was over 2% in all samples. In 30 piece-grade CG samples, the contents of major ginsenosides, Rb1, Rf, and Rg1, were 2.2 to 4.7 mg/g, 0.4 to 1.3 mg/g, and 1.6 to 4.0 mg/g, respectively. The ginsenoside contents in 50 piece-grade CG samples were 2.1 to 3.9 mg/g (Rb1), 0.5 to 1.2 mg/g (Rf), and 1.3 to 3.4 mg/g (Rg1). Overall, since there were relatively high standard deviation and coefficient of variation in all the chemical component contents that were assessed, we found some difficulties in showing the CG standard chemical component characteristics by average, standard deviation, and other statistical analysis factors.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제32권4호
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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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• 제39권2호
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• pp.116-124
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng (PG), is used widely as a herbal medicine to prevent and treat various diseases. Panax ginseng has pharmacological effects on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of PG and its possible neuroprotective mechanisms in advanced glycation end product (AGE)-induced AD in a rat model. Methods: Advanced glycation end products were injected bilaterally into the CA3 region of the rats' brains. The Morris water maze test and step-down type passive avoidance test were performed to evaluate their memory and cognitive abilities. The oxidation indexes in the hippocampus were detected. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to visualize the receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGEs) and nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-${\kappa}B$). Results: Behavioral results showed that PG (1 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg, and 0.25 g/kg) significantly shortened the escape latency, remarkably increased the number of crossing times, significantly decreased the number of errors, and prolonged the latency in rats with AGE-induced AD. Panax ginseng also significantly reduced the malondialdehyde level, increased the glutathione content, and increased superoxide dismutase activity in the hippocampus. Panax ginseng significantly decreased the expression of RAGE and NF-${\kappa}B$. The blockade of anti-RAGE antibody could significantly reduce AGE-induced impairments and regulate these expressions. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that PG significantly inhibits AGE-induced memory impairment and attenuates Alzheimer-like pathophysiological changes. These neuroprotective effects of PG may be associated with the RAGE/NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway. Our results provided the experimental basis for applying PG in preventing and treating AD.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.247-250
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• 1984

인삼제품(人蔘製品)의 품질안정성(品質安定性)을 구명(究明)하기 위하여 홍삼분말(紅蔘粉末)(RGP) 및 홍삼(紅蔘)타블렛(RGPT)은 흡습특성(吸濕特性)을 조사(調査)하여 BET방정식(方程式)에 따라 단분자막수분함량(單分子膜水分含量)을 구하여 적정수분함량(適正水分含量)을 설정(設定)하였고, 또 홍삼(紅蔘)(RG)은 초기수분함량(初期水分含量)을 조정(調整)하여 미생물(微生物) 생육조사(生育調査)에 의하여 적정수분함량(適正水分含量)을 설정(設定)하였으며 제품별(製品別) 기준수분함량(基準水分含量) 및 현행(現行) 유통수분함량(流通水分含量)과 비교(比較)하였다. 1. 홍삼분말(紅蔘粉末)(RGP)은 BET단분막수분함량(單分膜水分含量)이 $5.97{\sim}7.27%$의 범위내에 있으며 기준수분함량(基準水分含量)(8.0%이하)보다는 $0.7{\sim}2.0%$정도의 낮은 값을 나타내고 있었다. 그러나 현행(現行) 유통수분함량(流通水分含量)(2.310%) 보다는 현저한 차이(差異)가 있으므로 홍삼분말(紅蔘粉末)의 적정수분함량(適正水分含量)을 $6.7{\pm}0.7%$로 설정(設定)하는 것이 바람직하다고 생각된다. 2. 홍삼(紅蔘)타블렛(RGPT)은 BET단분자막수분함량(單分子膜水分含量)이 $4.73({\sim}5.14%$의 범위내에 있으므로 기준수분함량(基準水分含量)(8.0% 이하)보다 $2.9{\sim}3.3$정도 하향조정(下向調整)하여, 홍삼(紅蔘)타블렛의 적정수분함량(適正水分含量)을 $4.9{\pm}0.2%$로 설정(設定)하는 것이 바람직할 것이다. 3. 홍삼(紅蔘)의 초기수분함량(初期水分含量) 조정(調整)에 의한 미생물(微生物) 생육(生育)에 대한 학대조건(虐待條件)($40^{\circ}C$, 75%)하에서의 저장실험결과(貯藏實驗結果)에 따르면 현행(現行) 유통수분함량(流通水分含量)(10.416%)보다 $2.5{\sim}4.0%$ 정도 상향조정(上向調整)하여, 홍삼(紅蔘)의 적정수분함량(適正水分含量)을 $14.0{\pm}0.5%$로 설정(設定)함이 바람직할 것으로 생각되었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2015

Background: Cancer has emerged as a major health problem globally as a consequence to the increased longevity of the population, changing the environment and life style. Chemoprevention is a new and promising strategy for reducing cancer burden. Recently, some natural products have been identified for their chemopreventive activity to reduce the cancer incidence. Ginseng is known for its potential to treat various ailments in human beings. The present study was designed to explore the anticancer and antioxidative potential of Panax ginseng against chemical-induced skin carcinogenesis in mammals. Methods: Skin tumors were induced in Swiss albino mice by a single topical application of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene ($100{\mu}g/100{\mu}L$ acetone) and, 2 wks later, promoted by repeated applications of croton oil (thrice in a wk in 1% acetone) till the end of the experiment (i.e., 16 wk). Hydroalcoholic ginseng root extract at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight/d was orally administered at the periinitiation, postinitiation, and peri-post-initiation stages. Results: Ginseng root extract treatment caused a significant reduction in tumor incidence, cumulative number of tumors, tumor yield, and tumor burden, as compared to the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-croton oil-treated control group. Further, biochemical assays revealed a significant enhancement in the levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin C, and total proteins but a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation levels in both the liver and skin with ginseng root extract treatment, as compared to carcinogen-treated control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that P. ginseng has the potential to become a pivotal chemopreventive agent that can reduce cancer in mammals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.344-350
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• 2016

Background: Mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) and cultivated ginseng (CG) both belong to Panax ginseng and have similar ingredients. However, their pharmacological activities are different due to their significantly different growth environments. Methods: An ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS)-based approach was developed to distinguish MCG and CG. Multivariate statistical methods, such as principal component analysis and supervised orthogonal partial-least-squares discrimination analysis were used to select the influential components. Results: Under optimized UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS conditions, 40 ginsenosides in both MCG and CG were unambiguously identified and tentatively assigned. The results showed that the characteristic components of CG and MCG included ginsenoside Ra3/isomer, gypenoside XVII, quinquenoside R1, ginsenoside Ra7, notoginsenoside Fe, ginsenoside Ra2, ginsenoside Rs6/Rs7, malonyl ginsenoside Rc, malonyl ginsenoside Rb1, malonyl ginsenoside Rb2, palmitoleic acid, and ethyl linoleate. The malony ginsenosides are abundant in CG, but higher levels of the minor ginsenosides were detected in MCG. Conclusion: This is the first time that the differences between CG and MCG have been observed systematically at the chemical level. Our results suggested that using the identified characteristic components as chemical markers to identify different ginseng products is effective and viable.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.188-194
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• 2017

Background: Fermented black ginseng (FBG) is processed ginseng by the repeated heat treatment and fermentation of raw ginseng. The protective effect and mechanism of FBG on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated to evaluate its therapeutic potential. Methods: The free radical scavenging activity of FBG was measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). In addition, the protective effect against cisplatin-induced renal damage was tested in rats. FBG was orally administered every day at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight for 10 d, and a single dose of cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally (7.5 mg/kg body weight) with 0.9% saline on the $4^{th}$ d. Results: The DPPH radical-scavenging activity of FBG ($IC_{50}=384{\mu}g/mL$) was stronger than that of raw ginseng. The improved DPPH radical-scavenging activity was mediated by the generation phenolic compounds. The decreased cell viability by cisplatin was recovered significantly after treatment with FBG in a dose-dependent manner. Then, the protective effect of FBG on cisplatin-induced oxidative renal damage was investigated in rats. The decreased creatinine clearance levels, which are a reliable marker for renal dysfunction in cisplatin-treated rats, were reduced to the normal level after the administration of FBG. Moreover, FBG showed protective effects against cisplatin-induced oxidative renal damage in rats through the inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B/p65$, COX-2, and caspase-3 activation. Conclusion: These results collectively show that the therapeutic evidence for FBG ameliorates the nephrotoxicity via regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.119-127
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was done to identify whether mass produced wild ginseng culture broth prepared from cultivated wild ginseng roots could have an application in enhancing the agricultural utility value of leafy vegetables. Methods and Results: Leafy vegetables Lactuca sativa and Brassica juncea were treated with wild ginseng culture broth. Plants were examined and treatment (100 ㎖) applied twice a week over an eight week period. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of treated plants was then measured. Wild ginseng culture broth treatment resulted in phenolic and flavonoid content of 0.40 mg·GAE/㎖ and 0.36 mg·QE/㎖, respectively in L. sativa. When treated with wild ginseng culture broth, free radical scavenging ability was found to be higher in both L. sativa and B. juncea whereas antimicrobial activity was found to be higher in B. juncea (625 ㎍/㎖) than in L. sativa. Inorganic element analysis of L. sativa and B. juncea showed that Ca and Mg were higher in the wild ginseng broth treatment group, whereas harmful elements such as As were reduced. Conclusions: Rather than discarding the wild ginseng culture broth, it can be used as a fresh biomaterial by reprocessing it as agricultural products that can promote growth and improve functionality in plants.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.102-106
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• 2012

This study compared the contents of ginsenosides depending on steaming conditions of red ginsengs to provide basic information for developing functional foods using red ginsengs. The red ginseng steamed eight times at $98^{\circ}C$ ranked atop the amounts of prosapogenins ever detected in red ginsengs (ginsenoside $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rg_6$, $Rh_1$, $Rh_4$, $Rk_1$, $Rk_3$, $F_1$, $F_4$, 1.15%) among red ginsengs steamed more than twice. When steamed eight times at $98^{\circ}C$, 2.7 times as much prosapogenins such as ginsenosides $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rg_6$, $Rh_1$, $Rh_4$, $Rk_1$, $Rk_3$, $F_1$, and $F_4$ as those steamed just once at $98^{\circ}C$ was collected. In addition, the red ginsengs steamed eight times at $98^{\circ}C$ contained more amounting ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (0.28%) than that in the red ginseng steamed several times at random. Accordingly, it is recommendable that red ginsengs steamed 8 times, which proved to be the optimal steaming condition, be used rather than those steamed 9 times (black ginsengs), in order to develop red ginseng products of high prosapogenin concentration and high functions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.85-95
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• 2017

Background: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) products, such as slices, have a similar appearance, but they have significantly different prices, leading to widespread adulteration in the commercial market. Their aroma characteristics are attracting increasing attention and are supposed to be effective and nondestructive markers to determine adulteration. Methods: The aroma characteristics of American and Asian ginseng were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and an electronic nose (E-nose). Their volatile organic compounds were separated, classified, compared, and analyzed with different pattern recognition. Results: The E-nose showed a good performance in grouping with a principle component analysis explaining 94.45% of variance. A total of 69 aroma components were identified by GC-MS, with 35.6% common components and 64.6% special ingredients between the two ginsengs. It was observed that the components and the number of terpenes and alcohols were markedly different, indicating possible reasons for their difference. The results of pattern recognition confirmed that the E-nose processing result is similar to that of GC-MS. The interrelation between aroma constituents and sensors indicated that special sensors were highly related to some terpenes and alcohols. Accordingly, the contents of selected constituents were accurately predicted by corresponding sensors with most $R^2$ reaching 90%. Conclusion: Combined with advanced chemometrics, the E-nose is capable of discriminating between American and Asian ginseng in both qualitative and quantitative angles, presenting an accurate, rapid, and nondestructive reference approach.