• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.8-8
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• 2012

Ginseng have been traditionally used for strengthening immunity, providing nutrition and recovering health from fatigue. Recently, pharmaceutical activities of ginseng roots have been proven by many researches, and ginseng has become a world-famous medicinal plant. Ginseng saponin, ginsenoside, is one of the most important secondary metabolite in ginseng which has various pharmacological activities. Many studies have aimed to convert major ginsenosides to the more active minor ginsenoside Rg3 for consumer demand ginseng product. Microbial strain GS514 strain was isolated from soil around ginseng roots for enzymatic preparation of ginsenoside Rg3, which strain shows strong ability of converting ginsenoside Rb1and Rd into Rg3 in the solution with NaCl. The gene encoding a ${\beta}$-glucosidase from this GS514 was cloned and expressed in the BL21 (DE3) strain of Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme was purified and characterized. The molecular mass of purified was 87.5 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The gene sequence revealed significant homology to the family 3 glycoside hydrolases. The purified single enzyme also catalyzed the conversion of ginsenoside Rb1 into Rg3. This target enzyme will be able to produce as much saponin for consumer demand ginseng product. Anti-apoptotic proteins bind with pro-apoptotic proteins to induce apoptosis mechanism. Over expression of these anti-apoptotic proteins lead to several cancers by preventing apoptosis. Docking simulations were performed for anti-apoptotic proteins with several ginsenosides from Panax ginseng. Our finding shows ginsenosides particularly Rg3, Rh2 and Rf have more binding affinity with apoptotic proteins. Further, these docking system of each ginsenosides can be extended to experimental screen system for further brief confirmations of several diseases.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.23-24
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• 2007

Purpose: 인삼이 항당뇨 활성을 가진다는 연구가 많은 연구자들에 의해 진행되었고, 이는 인삼의 구성 성분 중 ginsenoside에 기인한다는 보고가 있다. 본 연구는 ginsenoside의 항당뇨 작용기전을 in vitro에서 알아보고자 3T3-L1 지방세포에서 glucose uptake와 췌장 베타세포인 HIT-T15 세포에서 insulin 분비 효과를 확인하였다. 이를 위하여 인삼을 식초로 처리한 긴삼의 70% MeOH 분획으로부터 protopanaxadiol 계인 ginsenoside $Rb_2$, $Rg_3$ 그리고 protopanaxtriol 계인 $Rg_2$를 분리하여 본 실험에 사용하였다. Method: Ginsenoside $Rb_2$, $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$가 지방 세포에서 glucose uptake에 미치는 효과를 확인하기 위하여 3T3-L1 세포를 DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium) 배지에서 분화 유도시켰으며 3T3-L1 preadipocyte가 80% 정도 자라면 분화 유도 배지 (5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 0.5 mM isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), 1 mM dexamethasone 그리고 $10{\mu}g/ml$ insulin가 포함된 DMEM)로 4일, $10{\mu}g/ml$ insulin가 포함된 DMEM으로 2일, FBS만 포함된 DMEM으로 2일 배양하여 총 8일 동안 분화를 유도하였다. 분화 유도된 3T3-L1 adipocytes 에 각각 $Rb_2$, $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$를 $20{\mu}M$로 처리하여 16시간 배양하여 low glucose DMEM에서 3시간 배양한 후에 $37^{\circ}C$에서 insulin 10 ng/ml 과 각각 $Rb_2$, $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$가 포함된 Krebs Ringer Hepes buffer(KRP buffer)에서 20분간 배양하였다. 2-deoxy-D-[$^3H$]-glucose를 넣고 10분 후에 차가운 PBS로 반응을 종결시켜 lysis buffer로 cell을 모은 후 scintillation counter를 이용하여 glucose를 측정하였다. Insulin 분비 효과는 HIT-T15 세포와 일차 배양한 흰쥐 소도세포(islets)를 사용하여 확인하였다. HIT-T15 세포는 24 well plate에 well 당 $2{\times}10^5$ 개씩 분주하여 24시간 동안 배양한 후 시료를 처리하였으며 소도 세포는 Sprague-Dawley rat의 췌장에 collagenase가 포함된 Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution(HBSS)을 주입하여 분리하고 islets을 얻었다. 분리한 소도세포를 $1{\sim}2$일 동안 배양하여 $Rb_2$, $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$가 각각 $20{\mu}M$의 농도로 첨가된 insulin 측정용 buffer인 Krebs-Ringer buffer (KRB+0.3% BSA, KRBB)에 $37^{\circ}C$에서 1시간 incubation 시킨 후 배양액으로 분비된 인슐린의 양을 측정하였다. 한편 ginsenoside의 인슐린 분비 촉진 기전을 알아보기 위한 실험에서는 ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel opener인 diazoxide (0.5 mM)가 ginsenoside에 의해 촉진된 인슐린 분비를 억제하는지 살펴보았다. Result: glucose uptake assay 에서는 $Rg_2$가 가장 크게 glucose uptake를 증가시켰고 $Rb_2$, $Rg_3$는 그 활성이 크지 않았다. 한편 Insulin 분비 효과는 diol계인 $Rg_3$에서 용량 의존적으로 인슐린의 분비를 촉진시켰으며 $20{\mu}M$ 농도에서 대조군과 비교해 1.5배 이상의 분비 촉진 효과를 보였고 triol계인 $Rg_2$ 에서는 이러한 효과가 나타나지 않았다. $Rg_3$의 인슐린 분비 촉진 기전을 0.5 mM 의 diazoxide를 이용하여 확인한 결과 $Rg_3$에 의해 촉진된 인슐린 분비를 감소시켰다. 이로 미루어보아 $Rg_3$의 인슐린 분비 촉진 기전은 ATP-sensitive $K^+$ 채널의 봉쇄에 의한 것임을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6191-6196
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• 2012

Aims and Background: Traditional chemotherapy strategies for human leukemia commonly use drugs based on cytotoxicity to eradicate cancer cells. One predicament is that substantial damage to normal tissues is likely to occur in the course of standard treatments. Obviously, it is urgent to explore therapies that can effectively eliminate malignant cells without affecting normal cells. Our previous studies indicated that ginsenoside $Rg_1$ ($Rg_1$), a major active pharmacological ingredient of ginseng, could delay normal hematopoietic stem cell senescence. However, whether $Rg_1$ can induce cancer cell senescence is still unclear. Methods: In the current study, human leukemia K562 cells were subjected to $Rg_1$ exposure. The optimal drug concentration and duration with K562 cells was obtained by MTT colorimetric test. Effects of $Rg_1$ on cell cycle were analyzed using flow cytometry and by SA-${\beta}$-Gal staining. Colony-forming ability was measured by colony-assay. Telomere lengths were assessed by Southern blotting and expression of senescence-associated proteins P21, P16 and RB by Western blotting. Ultrastructural morphology changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results: K562 cells demonstrated a maximum proliferation inhibition rate with an $Rg_1$ concentration of $20{\mu}\;mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for 48h, the cells exhibiting dramatic morphological alterations including an enlarged and flat cellular morphology, larger mitochondria and increased number of lysosomes. Senescence associated-${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-Gal) activity was increased. K562 cells also had decreased ability for colony formation, and shortened telomere length as well as reduction of proliferating potential and arrestin $G_2$/M phase after $Rg_1$ interaction. The senescence associated proteins P21, P16 and RB were significantly up-regulated. Conclusion: Ginsenoside $Rg_1$ can induce a state of senescence in human leukemia K562 cells, which is associated with p21-Rb and p16-Rb pathways.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2009

Epileptifrom discharges were induced in the telencephalon of the adult zebrafish via perfusion with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), bicuculline methiodide, kainic acid-treated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), and $Mg^{2+}$-free aCSF. Ginseng total saponin [GTS ($50{\mu}g/ml$)] was shown to attenuate the occurrence rate of epilpetiform discharges by 50-75%, compared to the control. Ginsenoside $Rg_1$ ($130{\mu}M$) reduced the epileptiform discharges in the isolated telencephalon and delayed the occurrence of behavioral seizures observed from the adult zebrafish placed in the PTZ (10 mM)-containing aquarium water. However, Re was not effective in the suppression of epileptiform discharges and behavioral seizures. These results indicate that $Rg_1$ may be useful in the control of epileptiform discharges and effective in controlling behavioral seizures, and that the zebrafish can be used as a model animal for the testing of potential anticonvulsant drugs.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.513-518
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the changes of yield, total phenolics, saponin content and composition, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of various fractions of fine ginseng root (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer) by maceration method in the order of increasing polarity (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water). Butanol fraction showed the highest total saponin content compare to other fractions. Hexane fraction could harvest significantly high ginsenoside Rg2, Rg1, and Rf (p<0.05). And the contents of ginsenoside Rh1, Rg3, and Rg1 showed relatively higher in the fraction of ethyl acetate than other fractions. The system of hexane-chloroform-ethyl aceate-butanol showed relatively high content of ginsenoside Re, Rd, Rc, Rb3, and Rb1. However, the last fraction of water still remained lots of Rb2 content. The fraction of water was the highest phenolics. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazil, superoxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of water fraction was higher than the other fractions. In antimicrobial activity, the fraction of hexane showed relatively high antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli. And the fractions of the chloroform and ethyl acetate showed higher antimicrobial activities than the other samples in against P. aeruginosa and S. typhimurium.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.329-338
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• 2017

This study was investigated the changes of quality stability and physicochemical characteristics of the Korean red ginsengs stored for a long times over 20 years. The Korean red ginsengs were stored for 4 to 22 years in canned packaging with polypropylene film and wooden box at room temperatures. The unusal phenomena such as discoloration and pin hole in packaging were not observed. General bacteria showed the vlaues of below 100 CFU/g, coliform groups and molds were not found in any samples stored for 22 year. Any samples also were not detected in mycotoxins. The contents of moisture, ash and crude saponin were the levels of 10.6~11.1%, 3.8~4.2% and 4.1~4.7% during the whole storage periods, respectively. The contents of maltol, which has been known as characteristic flavour and antioxidant of Korean red ginseng, showed remarkably increasing tendency from 0.10 mg/g for 4 years to 2.53 mg/g for 22 years during the storage. The contents of AFG (arginyl-fructosyl-glucose), arginine and free sugar were slightly decreased. Acidic polysaccharide and ginsenoside were not changed significantly during the storage periods. The contents of acidic polysaccharide and total ginsenosides were the 75.1~76.3 mg/g and 15.1~16.6 mg/g, respectively. The sums of ginsenoside-Rg1,-Rb1 and -Rg3s were the ranges of 9.3~9.9 mg/g and PD (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2,-Rc,-Rd,-Rg3s,-Rg3r)/PT (ginsenoside-Rg1,-Rg2,-Re,-Rf,-Rh1) saponin ratios were the levels of 1.4~1.5. These results suggest that Korean red ginsengs stored for long periods show relatively stable quaility stabilities and not significantly changed the contents of ginsenoside and polysaccharide during the storage up to 22 years.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.743-754
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• 2023

Background: Myocardial fibrosis post-myocardial infarction (MI) can induce maladaptive cardiac remodeling as well as heart failure. Although 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) has been applied to cardiovascular diseases, its efficacy and specific molecular mechanism in myocardial fibrosis are largely unknown. Herein, we aimed to explore whether TGFBR1 signaling was involved in Rg3's anti-fibrotic effect post-MI. Methods: Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation-induced MI mice and TGF-β1-stimulated primary cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were adopted. Echocardiography, hematoxlin-eosin and Masson staining, Western-blot and immunohistochemistry, CCK8 and Edu were used to study the effects of Rg3 on myocardial fibrosis and TGFBR1 signaling. The combination mechanism of Rg3 and TGFBR1 was explored by surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). Moreover, myocardial Tgfbr1-deficient mice and TGFBR1 adenovirus were adopted to confirm the pharmacological mechanism of Rg3. Results: In vivo experiments, Rg3 ameliorated myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy and enhanced cardiac function. Rg3-TGFBR1 had the 1.78×10^-7 M equilibrium dissociation constant based on SPRi analysis, and Rg3 inhibited the activation of TGFBR1/Smads signaling dose-dependently. Cardiac-specific Tgfbr1 knockdown abolished Rg3's protection against myocardial fibrosis post-MI. In addition, Rg3 downregulated the TGF-β1-mediated CFs growth together with collagen production in vitro through TGFBR1 signaling. Moreover, TGFBR1 adenovirus partially blocked the inhibitory effect of Rg3. Conclusion: Rg3 improves myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function through suppressing CFs proliferation along with collagen deposition by inactivation of TGFBR1 pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.473-481
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• 2021

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the significant reasons for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ginsenosides, natural molecules extracted from Panax ginseng, have been demonstrated to exert essential neuroprotective functions, which can ascribe to its anti-oxidative effect, enhancing central metabolism and improving mitochondrial function. However, a comprehensive analysis of cellular mitochondrial bioenergetics after ginsenoside treatment under Aβ-oxidative stress is missing. Methods: The antioxidant activities of ginsenoside Rb₁, Rd, Re, Rg₁ were compared by measuring the cell survival and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Next, the protective effects of ginsenosides of mitochondrial bioenergetics were examined by measuring oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in PC12 cells under Aβ-oxidative stress with an extracellular flux analyzer. Meanwhile, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial dynamics were evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: Ginsenoside Rg₁ possessed the strongest anti-oxidative property, and which therefore provided the best protective function to PC12 cells under the Aβ oxidative stress by increasing ATP production to 3 folds, spare capacity to 2 folds, maximal respiration to 2 folds and non-mitochondrial respiration to 1.5 folds, as compared to Aβ cell model. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg1 enhanced MMP and mitochondrial interconnectivity, and simultaneously reduced mitochondrial circularity. Conclusion: In the present study, these results demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg₁ could be the best natural compound, as compared with other ginsenosides, by modulating the OCR of cultured PC12 cells during oxidative phosphorylation, in regulating MMP and in improving mitochondria dynamics under Aβ-induced oxidative stress.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2008

A ligand - whether an endogenous hormone, neurotransmitter, exogenous toxin or synthetic drug - binds to plasma membrane proteins (e.g., ion channels, receptors or other functional proteins) to exert its physiological or pharmacological effects. Ligands can also have functional groups, showing stereospecificity for interaction sites on their counterpart plasma membrane proteins. Previous reports have shown that the ginsenoside Rg$_3$, a bioactive ginsenoside, meets these criteria in that: 1) an aliphatic side chain of $Rg_3$ plays a role as a functional group, 2) Rg$_3$ regulates voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels in a stereospecific manner with respect to carbon-20, and 3) $Rg_3$ regulates subsets of ligand-gated and voltage-gated ion channels through specific interactions with identified amino acid residues inside the channel pore, in the outer pore entryway, or in toxin binding sites. Rg$_3$, therefore, could be a candidate for a novel ginseng-derived glycosidic ligand regulating ion channels and receptors. This review will examine how Rg$_3$ regulates voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels through interactions with its target proteins in the plasma membrane. Hopefully, this review will advance understanding of ginseng pharmacology at the cellular and molecular levels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of extrusion conditions (moisture content 20% and 30%, screw speed 200 and 250 rpm, barrel temperature $115^{\circ}C$ and $130^{\circ}C$) on the acidic polysaccharide, ginsenoside contents and antioxidant properties of extruded Korean red ginseng (KRG). Extruded KRGs showed relatively higher amounts of acidic polysaccharide (6.80% to 9.34%) than non-extruded KRG (4.34%). Increased barrel temperature and screw speed significantly increased the content of acidic polysaccharide. The major ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg2s, Rg3s, Rh1, and Rg3r) of KRG increased through extrusion, while the ginsenoside (Rg1) decreased. The EX8 (moisture 30%, screw speed 250 rpm, and temperature $130^{\circ}C$) had more total phenolics and had a better scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals than those of extruded KRG samples. The extrusion cooking showed a significant increase (6.8% to 20.9%) in reducing power. Increased barrel temperature significantly increased the values of reducing power, the highest value was 1.152 obtained from EX4 (feed moisture 20%, screw speed 250 rpm, and temperature $130^{\circ}C$). These results suggest that extrusion conditions can be optimized to retain the health promoting compounds in KRG products.