• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.126-130
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• 1989

In 14 kinds of ginsenosides in ginseng saponin, ginsenoside Rbr is contained the most abundantly. But ginsenoside Rd which is similar to ginsenoside R $b_1$in structure, was known to be superior to ginsenoside R $b_1$pharmaceutically. The convertible enzyme which can transform ginsenoside R $b_1$to Binsenoside Rd specifically among ginseng saponin, was purified homogeneously from Rhizopus japonicus. The optimal pH for the action of the enzyme was pH 4.8 to 5.0, and optimal temperature was 45$^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was stable in the range of pH 4.0 to 9.0, and the half activity of enzyme was remained by the thermal treatment at 6$0^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours. The enzyme activity was enhanced by addition of M $n^{++}$ or Fe, though inhibited by EDTA or o-phenanthroline. On the substrate specificity, the enzyme was. able to hydrolyze gentiobiose, cellobiose, amygdalin and prunasin, but not to hydrolyze any other kinds of Binsenosides besides Binsenoside R $b_1$. Km values of the enzyme for ginsenoside R $b_1$, gentiobiose and amygdalin were 5.0mM, 4.8mM and 3.7mM, respectively.3.7mM, respectively.y.

• 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.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.635-644
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• 2019

Background: To increase the pharmacological effects of red ginseng (RG, the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer), RG products modified by heat process or fermentation have been developed. However, the antiallergic effects of RG and modified/fermented RG have not been simultaneously examined. Therefore, we examined the allergic rhinitis (AR)-inhibitory effects of water-extracted RG (wRG), 50% ethanol-extracted RG (eRG), and bifidobacteria-fermented eRG (fRG) in vivo. Methods: RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate/A23187. Mice with AR were prepared by treatment with ovalbumin. Allergic markers IgE, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-5 were assayed in the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, and colon using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cell populations were assayed using a flow cytometer. Results: RG products potently inhibited IL-4 expression in phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate/A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Of tested RG products, fRG most potently inhibited IL-4 expression. RG products also alleviated ovalbumin-induced AR in mice. Of these, fRG most potently reduced nasal allergy symptoms and blood IgE levels. fRG treatment also reduced IL-4 and IL-5 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, and reduced mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cell populations. Furthermore, treatment with fRG reduced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in the colon and restored ovalbumin-suppressed Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria populations and ovalbumin-induced Firmicutes population in gut microbiota. Treatment with ginsenoside Rd significantly alleviated ovalbumin-induced AR in mice. Conclusion: fRG and ginsenoside Rd may alleviate AR by suppressing IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 expression and restoring the composition of gut microbiota.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2014

According to the results of my study on the chromatographic analysis of fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) roots, most of the contents of protopanxadiol ginsenosides $Rb_1$, Rc, $Rb_2$, and Rd are derived from the corresponding malonyl ginsenosides in fresh ginseng by a heat process. Also, I confirmed that acetyl ginsenosides are naturally occurring constituents in fresh ginseng, not decarboxylates from malonyl ginsenosides. Seven neutral ginsenosides $Rg_1$, Re, Rf, Rc, $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, and Rd were transformed to specific conversions in red ginseng preparation conditions. The conversion paths progress by three rules concluded from my study. These conversion rules are I: the ether bond is stable at positions 3 and 6 in the dammarane skeleton, II: the ether bond between sugars is stable in glycosides, and III: the ether bond to glycosides is unstable at position 20 in the dammarane skeleton.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1978.09a
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• pp.55-66
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• 1978

Five ginsenosides $(A_1,\;A_2,\;B_1,\;B_2,\;C)$ and a yellow pigment were isolated from American ginseng stems and leaves. Ginsenoside $A_2,\;B_1,\;B_2$ and C were proven to be identical with Korean ginseng root ginsenoside $Rg_1,$ Rd, Re and $Rb_2,$ respectively. The yellow pigment proved identical with panasenoside isolated from Korean ginseng leaves. Ginsenoside $A_1$, which was also present in American ginseng roots, was not identical to any of the known root (ginsenoside $R_{0}-Rg_{2}$) and leaf (ginsenoside $F_{1}-F_{3}$) Korean ginseng saponins. A gas-liquid chromatographic method was developed to analyze ginsenosides and sapogenins in rabbit plasma and urine samples. Panasenoside and stigmasterol were found to be the best internal standards for ginsenosides and sapogenihs, respectively. Ginsenoside C had a significantly longer half-life, higher plasma protein binding, lower metabolic and renal clearance than ginsenoside $A_1,\;A_2\;and\;B_2$. Ginsenosides were not found in rabbit plasma and urine samples after oral administration. Ginsenoside C had a higher toxicity than ginsenoside $A_2$ after intraperitoneal administration to mice. Toxicity was not observed after oral administration of the ginsenosides.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1661-1667
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• 2016

The ginsenoside-hydrolyzing β-glucosidase gene (bgy2) was cloned from Lactobacillus brevis. We expressed this gene in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), isolated the resulting protein, and then utilized the enzyme for the biotransformation of ginsenosides. The bgy2 gene contains 2,223 bp, and encodes a protein of 741 amino acids that is a member of glycosyl hydrolase family 3. β-Glucosidase (Bgy2) cleaved the outer glucose moieties of ginsenosides at the C-20 position, and the inner glucose at the C-3 position. Under optimal conditions (pH 7.0, 30℃), we used 0.1 mg/ml Bgy2 in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (PBS) for enzymatic studies. In these conditions, 1.0 mg/ml ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside F2 were converted into 0.59 mg/ml ginsenoside Rd and 0.72mg/ml compound K, with molar conversion productivities of 69% and 91%, respectively. In pharmaceutical and commercial industries, this recombinant Bgy2 would be suitable for producting ginsenoside Rd and compound K.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between growth characteristics and ginsenoside contents of 7 and 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. The results of growth characteristics such as rhizome length, root length, fresh weight, cross-section area, surface area and volume were shows significantly higher in 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng compare to 7-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. In the case of 11 ginsenoside contents, the contents of G-Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1 and Rg2 were shows significantly higher in 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng compare to 7-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. In addition, in the comparative analysis of ginsenoside contents between wild-simulated ginseng and cultivated ginseng, 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng was shows significantly higher G-Rb1, Rd, Re, Rf and Rg1 ginsenoside contents compare to 4-year-old and 5-year-old cultivated ginseng. In the result of correlation analysis between growth characteristics and ginsenoside contents, the G-Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2 ginsenoside was shows significantly positive correlation with rhizome length, fresh weight, cross-section area, surface area, volume, while as the contents of G-Rb1, Re, Rf, Rg2 was shows significantly negative correlation with shoot diameter. The results of this study was might be help to provide useful information on the establish quality standard by the investigate correlation analysis between growth characteristics and ginsenoside content of wild-simulated ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.254-261
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• 2005

To evaluate the effects of cultivar, environment, age and cultivation times on ginsenoside content among 8 wild populations of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), the concentrations of 6 ginsenosides in root were determined at the time of collection (T0) of plants from the wild and 1 year after (T1) transplanting the roots to each of two different forest garden locations. Both location and population had significant effects on root and shoot growth. Overall, ginsenoside Rb1 was most abundant. The second most abundant ginsenoside were Re and Rg1, however the contents of them were not significantly different from each other. Concentrations of Rg1 and Re were inversely related. Ginsenoside Re was influenced by population and location. Ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2 and Rd were influenced by population, location and age. Ginsenoside levels were consistently lower but growth was consistently higher at the more intensively managed garden location.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.1206-1215
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• 2016

Ginsenosides are the major active ingredients in ginseng used for human therapeutic plant medicines. One of the most well-known probiotic bacteria among the various strains on the functional food market is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Biocatalytic methods using probiotic enzymes for producing deglycosylated ginsenosides such as Rd have a growing significance in the functional food industry. The addition of 2% cellobiose (w/v) to glucose-free de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe broths notably induced β-glucosidase production from L. rhamnosus GG. Enzyme production and activity were optimized at a pH, temperature, and cellobiose concentration of 6.0, 40℃, and 2% (w/v), respectively. Under these controlled conditions, β-glucosidase production in L. rhamnosus GG was enhanced by 25-fold. Additionally, whole-cell homogenates showed the highest β-glucosidase activity when compared with disrupted cell suspensions; the cell disruption step significantly decreased the β-glucosidase activity. Based on the optimized enzyme conditions, whole-cell L. rhamnosus GG was successfully used to convert ginsenoside Rb1 into Rd.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.478-482
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the difference of general feature and ginsenoside content of 6 years old ginseng root among different grade of roots. Total weight of a 1st grade-6 years old ginseng root was 115.1g and weight, length, diameter and specific gravity of main root were 64.68g, 8.39cm, 3.31cm and 0.96, respectively. Main root of 1st grade ginseng root was larger in size and specific gravity and more heavy than that of End or 3rd grade of the roots. Though crude saponin contents were not so different among the different grade of roots, but ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1 and Re content were higher in 1st grade of root than that of 2nd or 3rd grade of root. Those ginsenosides were located mainly in periderm and cortex.