• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1791-1798
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• 2006

When ginsenoside Rg5, a main component isolated from red ginseng, was incubated with three human fecal microflora for 24 h, all specimens showed hydrolyzing activity: all specimens produced ginsenoside Rh3 as a main metabolite, but a minor metabolite $3{\beta},12{\beta}$-dihydroxydammar-21(22),24-diene (DD) was observed in two specimens. To evaluate the antiallergic effect of ginsenoside Rg5 and its metabolites, the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rg5 and its metabolite ginsenoside Rh3 against RBL-2H3 cell degranulation, mouse passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction induced by the IgE-antigen complex, and mouse ear skin dermatitis induced by 12-O-tetradecanoilphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) were measured. Ginsenosides Rg5 and Rh3 potently inhibited degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells. These ginsenosides also inhibited mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated by IgE-antigen. Orally and intraperitoneally administered ginsenoside Rg3 and orally administered ginsenoside Rg5 to mice potently inhibited the PCA reaction induced by IgE-antigen complex. However, intraperitoneally administered ginsenoside Rg5 nearly did not inhibit the PCA reaction. These ginsenosides not only suppressed the swelling of mouse ears induced by TPA, but also inhibited mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-4 and activation of transcription factor NF-kB. These inhibitions of ginsenoside Rh3 were more potent than those of ginsenoside Rg5. These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rg5 may be metabolized in vivo to ginsenoside Rh3 by human intestinal microflora, and ginsenoside Rh3 may improve antiallergic diseases, such as rhinitis and dermatitis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 1978

A procedure of $^3H$-radio labeling synthesis for the dammarane triterpene glycosides of Korean ginseng was established by using the ginsenoside $Rg_1$ as starting material. The protons in $C-{11}$ and $C_{13}$ of the aglycone moiety of the glycoside were exchanged with tritium by keto-enol tautomerization of 12-keto-ginsenoside $Rg_1$ which was prepared by partial acetylation, Sarett oxidation and saponification, producing nona-acetate, nonaside $Rg_1$. The acety1-ketone and 12-keto-derivative of ginsenotritated ketone was reduced by metallic sodium and isoproponol to produce the end product $^3H$-ginsenoside $Rg_1$ with 3% radio-chemical recovery in one experiment.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.139-143
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• 2006

To increase the contents of functional ginsenosides by conversion, especially ginsenoside-$Rg_3$ and $Rh_2$, the extracts of red ginseng were treated with high temperature and citric acid or apricot extract. When the extracts were subject to $120^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours, the content of ginsenoside-$Rg_3$ was increased 2 times than in control. When the extracts were subject to $120^{\circ}C$ and acidic conditions adjusted with citric acid, the ginsenoside-$Rg_3$, was detected 2.8 times, but other ginsenoside were decreased heavily to 65%. When the extract were treated with for 12 hours at $80^{\circ}C$, the content of ginsenoside-$Rg_3$ was increased to 3.3 times, Also, when the red ginseng extracts were treated with apricot extract, the ginsenoside-$Rg_3$ was detected to 4 times than in control, but other ginsenoside were decreased lightly to 35%, not same as at the $120^{\circ}C$ treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.300-303
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• 2016

The result of USRG-12 indicated that ultrasonication-processed ($100^{\circ}C$, 12 h) red ginseng extracts had the highest amount of ginsenosides Rg3 (0.803%), Rg5 (0.167%), and Rk1 (0.175%).

• 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.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.286-290
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• 2011

Ginsenoside Rg3 was reported to have important biological activities. We demonstrate conjugation and quantification procedures of ginsenoside Rg3 to gold nanoparticles for future biological and medical applications. Ginsenoside Rg3 was conjugated to spherical gold nanoparticles using a bifunctional heptaethylene glycol linker. The sulfhydryl group of heptaethylene glycol was adsorbed onto gold nanoparticles, and carboxylic acid end of heptaethylene glycol was bonded through a hydroxyl group of Rg3 via ester bond formation. The conjugation of Rg3 was characterized with various spectroscopic techniques, high resolution-transmission electron microscopy, and using Rg3 monoclonal antibody. The Rg3- functionalized gold nanoparticles were $4.7{\pm}1.0$ nm in diameter with a surface charge of -4.12 mV. The total number of Rg3 molecules conjugated to a 3.6 mL solution of gold nanoparticle was determined to be $9.5{\times}10^{14}$ corresponding to ~6 molecules of Rg3/gold nanoparticle. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 is successfully conjugated to gold nanoparticles via heptaethylene glycol linker. The quantification was performed by using Rg3 monoclonal antibody without interference of gold's intrinsic color.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2017

Background: In the present study, metabolite profiles of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5 from red ginseng or red notoginseng in zebrafish were qualitatively analyzed with ultraperformance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight MS, and the possible metabolic were pathways proposed. Methods: After exposing to zebrafish for 24 h, we determined the metabolites of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5. The chromatography was accomplished on UPLC BEH C18 column using a binary gradient elution of 0.1% formic acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid water. The quasimolecular ions of compounds were analyzed in the negative mode. With reference to quasimolecular ions and MS2 spectra, by comparing with reference standards and matching the empirical molecular formula with that of known published compounds, and then the potential structures of metabolites of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5 were acquired. Results: Four and seven metabolites of ginsenoside Rk1 and ginsenoside Rg5, respectively, were identified in zebrafish. The mechanisms involved were further deduced to be desugarization, glucuronidation, sulfation, and dehydroxymethylation pathways. Dehydroxylation and loss of C-17 residue were also metabolic pathways of ginsenoside Rg5 in zebrafish. Conclusion: Loss of glucose at position C-3 and glucuronidation at position C-12 in zebrafish were regarded as the primary physiological processes of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.551-553
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• 1996

A genuine dammarane glycoside, named ginsenoside $Rg_{5}$, has been isolated by repeated column chromatography and preparative HPLC from the MeOH extract of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). The chemical structure of ginsenoside$ Rg_{5}$ was determined as $3-O-[{\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl (1{\rightarrow}2)-{\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl]$ dammar-20(22), $24-diene-3{\beta},12{\beta}-diol$ by spectral and chemical methods. The stereostructure of a double bond at C-20(22) of ginsenoside $Rg_{5}$ was characterized as (E) from the chemical shift of C-21 in the $^{13}C-NMR $and a NOESY experiment in the $^{1}H-NMR$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.420-432
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• 2021

Background: Many ginsenosides have been shown to be efficacious for major depressive disorder (MDD), which is a highly recurrent disorder, through several preclinical studies. We aimed to review the literature assessing the antidepressant effects of ginsenosides on MDD animal models, to establish systematic scientific evidence in a rigorous manner. Methods: We performed a systematic review on the antidepressant effects of ginsenoside evaluated in in vivo studies. We searched for preclinical trials from inception to July 2019 in electronic databases such as Pubmed and Embase. In vivo studies examining the effect of a single ginsenoside on animal models of primary depression were included. Items of each study were evaluated by two independent reviewers. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess behavioral changes induced by ginsenoside Rg1, which was the most studied ginsenoside. Data were pooled using the random-effects models. Results: A total of 517 studies were identified, and 23 studies were included in the final analysis. They reported on many ginsenosides with different antidepressant effects and biological mechanisms of action. Of the 12 included articles assessing ginsenoside Rg1, pooled results of forced swimming test from 9 articles (mean difference (MD): 20.50, 95% CI: 16.13-24.87), and sucrose preference test from 11 articles (MD: 28.29, 95% CI: 22.90-33.69) showed significant differences compared with vehicle treatment. The risk of bias of each study was moderate, but there was significant heterogeneity across studies. Conclusion: These estimates suggest that ginsenosides, including ginsenoside Rg1, reduces symptoms of depression, modulates underlying mechanisms, and can be a promising antidepressant.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2018

Background: Ginsenosides have been reported to have many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects, and the resolution of inflammation is now considered to be an active process driven by M2-type macrophages. In order to determine whether ginsenosides modulate macrophage phenotypes to reduce inflammation, 11 ginsenosides were studied with respect to macrophage polarization and the resolution of inflammation. Methods: Mouse peritoneal macrophages were polarized into M1 or M2 phenotypes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and measurement of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ levels were performed in vitro and in a zymosan-induced peritonitis C57BL/6 mouse model. Results: Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was identified as a proresolving ginseng compound based on the induction of M2 macrophage polarization. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ not only induced the expression of arginase-1 (a representative M2 marker gene), but also suppressed M1 marker genes, such as inducible NO synthase, and NO levels. The proresolving activity of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was also observed in vivo in a zymosan-induced peritonitis model. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ accelerated the resolution process when administered at peak inflammatory response into the peritoneal cavity. Conclusion: These results suggest that ginsenoside $Rg_3$ induces the M2 polarization of macrophages and accelerates the resolution of inflammation. This finding opens a new avenue in ginseng pharmacology.