• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2001

This study was carried out to isolate saponin compounds from red-ginseng efflux, which was produced during the industrial processing of red-ginseng from fresh ginseng. We isolated crude saponin from the efflux extract (moisture content 35.0%) by using Diaion HP-20 adsorption method. Non-saponin fraction, which was adsorbed on Diaion HP-20 resin, was removed by eluating with $H_{2}O$ and 25% spirit. Then crude saponin was eluated with 95% spirit, continuously. Saponin in the eluated fractions was confirmed by TLC analysis. Crude saponin isolated from red ginseng efflux extract contained 12.10% of saponin. whereas those of white ginseng and red-ginseng were 3.30 and 3.39%, respectively. Ginsenoside contents showed the highest contents kin crude saponin from red ginseng efflux extract. Expacilly, the ginsenoside-$Rb_{1}$ and Re showed the highest contents in red-ginseng efflux extract when compared with those of white ginseng and red ginseng crude saponins. And the other ginsenosides except ginsenoside-$Rb_{1}$ and -Re also showed the highest contents in red ginseng efflux extract. However, the ratio of PD saponin (Panaxadiol saponin: $Rb_{1}+Rb_{2}$+Rc+Rd) to PT saponin (panaxatriol: $Re+Rg_{1}$) showed almost the same level when compared with those of ginseng saponin fractions. Ratio of PD/PT from red ginseng efflux extract was 1.99. Ratios of PD/PT from white ginseng and red ginseng were 1.85 and 1.84, respectively. Saponin purity, which was calculated by ratio percent of total ginsenoside to curde saponin content, was 45.90%. In case of white ginseng and red ginseng, the purities were 35.50 and 36.00%, respectively. However, by PHLC analysis, we confirmed that crude saponin isolated from red ginsengs. It suggested that crude saponin isolated from red ginseng ellux also would be useful component as ginseng saponins.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.527-537
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• 2020

Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant, has been used as a blood-nourishing tonic for thousands of years in Asia, including Korea and China. P. ginseng exhibits adaptogen activity that maintains homeostasis by restoring general biological functions and non-specifically enhancing the body's resistance to external stress. Several P. ginseng effects have been reported. Korean Red Ginseng, in particular, has been reported in both basic and clinical studies to possess diverse effects such as enhanced immunity, fatigue relief, memory, blood circulation, and anti-oxidation. Moreover, it also protects against menopausal symptoms, cancer, cardiac diseases, and neurological disorders. The active components found in most Korean Red Ginseng varieties are known to include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, alkaloids, polyacetylene, and phenolic compounds. In this review, the identity and bioactivity of the non-saponin components of Korean Red Ginseng discovered to date are evaluated and the components are classified into polysaccharide and nitrogen compounds (protein, peptide, amino acid, nucleic acid, and alkaloid), as well as fat-soluble components such as polyacetylene, phenols, essential oils, and phytosterols. The distinct bioactivity of Korean Red Ginseng was found to originate from both saponin and non-saponin components rather than from only one or two specific components. Therefore, it is important to consider saponin and non-saponin elements together.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.808-814
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) has been reported to act as an inflammasome modulator. Ginsenosides, saponin molecules of RGE, selectively inhibit activation of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes, while non-saponin molecules of RGE upregulate inflammasome components associated with the initiation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In this study, we investigated the effect of non-saponin components of RGE on AIM2 inflammasome activation. Methods: The role of non-saponins of RGE on AIM2 inflammasomes was tested in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, a human monocyte-like cell line, and a mouse animal model. Cells or mice were transfected with dsDNA or inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes to activate AIM2 inflammasomes. Several indices of inflammasome activation were examined via immunoblot or ELISA analysis. Results: The non-saponin fraction and saponin-eliminating fraction (SEF) of RGE selectively attenuated the activation of AIM2 inflammasomes, but not that of NLRP3 or NLRC4 inflammasomes. Fructose-arginine, an amino-sugar, was shown to be effective against AIM2 inflammasome activation. Conclusion: Non-saponins of RGE, such as fructose-arginine, might be effective in regulating infectious and autoimmune diseases resulting from AIM2 inflammasome activation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 1992

Intravenous administration of saponin from the root of Panax ginseng (red ginseng) lowered the blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner (10~100 mg/kg B.W) in anesthetized rats. Therefore, experiments were designed to study whether this lowering of blood pressure is associated with the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. Rings of thoracic aorta with and without endothelium were suspended for the measurement of isometric tension in organ chamber. All experiments were performed in the presence of indomethacin (10-5 M). Ginseng saponin (10-5~3$\times$10-4 g/ml) relaxed contractions induced by phenylephrine (10-5 M) in the aorta with endothelium but not in that without endothelium. Treatment of aortic rings with NG_monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA 10-4 M for 30 min), a competive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and methylene blue (M.B., 3$\times$10-7 M for 30 min), an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, diminished the relaxation induced by ginseng saponin. In thoracic aortic rings from rats treated with ginseng saponin for 2 weeks intraperitoneally, the relaxation to acetylcholine was increased compared with non-ginseng treated rings. These data suggest that red ginseng saponin evokes hypotension and that vascular relaxations induced by red ginseng saponin are inediatpd by release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.259-268
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of Red Ginseng Saponins on 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induced toxicities in guinea pigs ($200{\pm}10$ g). Normal control (NC) group guinea pigs ($200{\pm}10$ g) received vehicle and saline, while the TCDD-treated (TT) group was given water-extract (WE), saponin fraction (SF) and non-saponin fraction (NSF). Korean red ginseng fractions were administered from 1 week before TCDD-exposure for 4 weeks. Body weight loss and deteriorated clinical parameters related to sugar metabolism and liver function such as lipase and AST, respectively, these were significantly reduced by both saponin and non-saponin fractions. However, increase of lipase was attenuated by the saponin fraction in a dose-dependent manner. Only AST was affected by the saponin fraction. The results suggest that saponins are active substances in the Korean red ginseng water extract against TCDD induced toxicities in Guinea pigs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2022

Background: Abnormalities of myelin, which increases the efficiency of action potential conduction, are found in neurological disorders. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) demonstrates therapeutic efficacy against some of these conditions, however effects on oligodendrocyte (OL)s are not well known. Here, we examined the effects of KRG-derived components on development and protection of OL-lineage cells. Methods: Primary OL precursor cell (OPC) cultures were prepared from neonatal mouse cortex. The protective efficacies of the KRG components were examined against inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. For in vivo function of Rb1 on myelination, after 10 days of oral gavage into adult male mice, forebrains were collected. OPC proliferation were assessed by BrdU incorporation, and differentiation and myelination were examined by qPCR, western blot and immunocytochemistry. Results: The non-saponin promoted OPC proliferation, while the saponin promoted differentiation. Both processes were mediated by AKT and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. KRG extract, the saponin and non-saponin protected OPCs against oxidative stress, and both KRG extract and the saponin significantly increased the expression of the antioxidant enzyme. Among 11 major ginsenosides tested, Rb1 significantly increased OL membrane size in vitro. Moreover, Rb1 significantly increased myelin formation in adult mouse brain. Conclusion: All KRG components prevented OPC deaths under oxidative stress. While non-saponin promoted proliferation, saponin fraction increased differentiation and OL membrane size. Furthermore, among all the tested ginsenosides, Rb1 showed the biggest increase in the membrane size and significantly enhanced myelination in vivo. These results imply therapeutic potentials of KRG and Rb1 for myelin-related disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.389-415
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• 1996

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer(Araliaceae) has been traditionally used as an expensive and precious medicine in oriental countries for more than 5, 000 years. Ginseng saponin isolated from the root of Panax ginseng have been regarded as the main effective components responsible for the pharmacological and biological activities. Such as antiaging effects. antidiabetic effects anticancer effects. Protection against physical and chemical stress. Analgesic and antipyretic effects. Effects on the central nervous system, tranquilizing action and others. Thirty kinds of ginsenosides have been so far isolated from ginseng saponin and their chemical structures have been elucidated since 1960's. Among which protopanaxadiol type is 19 kinds. protopanaxatriol type. 10 kinds and oleanane type, one. Since ginsenosides are generally labile under acidic conditions ordinary acid hydrolysis is always accompanied by many side reactions, such as epimerization. hydroxylation and cyclization of side chain of the sapogenins Especially. it is well known that C-20 glycosyl linkage of ginsenoside was hydrolysed on heating with acetic acid to give an equilibrated mixture of 20(S) and 20(R) epimers. And also, the chemical transformations of the secondary metabolites have appeared during the steaming process to prepare red ginseng. Indicating demalonylation of malonyl ginsenosides, elimination of glycosyl residue at C-20 and isomerization of hydroxyl configuration at C-20. But these studies have not provided a comprehensive picture in explaning how these ginsenosides showed val'iotas pharmacological activities of ginseng. Though some of them have been involved in the mechanism of pharmacological actions. Recently, non-saponin components have received a great deal of attention for their antioxidant, anticancer antidiabetic, immunomodulating. anticomplementary activities and so on. To meet the demand for such wide applications, studies on the non-saponin components play an important role in providing a good evidence of pharmacological and biol ogical activities. Among the non-saponin constituents of Korean ginseng, polyacetylenes, phenols. Sesquiterpenes, alkaloids. polysaccharides oligosaccharides, oligopeptides and aminoglycosides together with ginsenosides of terrestrial part are mainly described.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.2 s.54
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• pp.81-87
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• 1999

The effect of saponin and non-saponin of Panax Red Ginseng on the blood pressure and nitric oxide production were investigated in the conscious free moving one-kidney, one-clip Goldbaltt hypertensive (lK, 1C-GBH) rats. Mean blood pressure in the control and lK, 1C-GBH rats was decreased by the administration of ginseng saponin (100 mg/kg, i.v.). The hypotensive effect induced by ginseng saponin was reached maximum at 2-4 minutes and was slowly recovered to the initial level of blood pressure. Also ginseng saponin induced reflex tachycardia in the conscious both rats. Contrast to the response induced by ginseng saponin, hypotensive effect induced by non-saponin of panax ginseng is minimal. Plasma nitric oxide concentration was increased by the treatment of ginseng saponin (100 mg/kg, i.p for 5 days) in both rats. It has been shown by western blotting that the expression level of the protein for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the aorta of rats was not increased by the treatment of ginseng saponin (100 mg/kg, i.p). However, eNOS activity in aortic homogenates of both rats were increased by the treatment of ginseng saponins. From the above results, the hypotensive effect of saponin was greater than that of non-saponin of Panax Red Ginseng. The lowering effect of blood pressure by ginseng saponin may be due to the increase of plasma nitric oxide concentration via the increase of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in the renovascular hypertensive and control rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1998

In the present study, to determine whether the antioxidative components of Korean red ginseng protect against radiation damage and the possible relationship among the radioprotective effects and antioxidant actions, the effects of total saponin (200 mg/kg, ip) and lipophilic fraction (200 mg/kg, oral) preferment of mice on the survival ratio, major antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) activities, glutathione levels and lipid peroxidation in the liver were exiled for 2 weeks after whole ${\gamma}$-body ${\gamma}$-irradiation (6.5 Gy). The 30-day survival ratio increased from 10% to 57% and 40% for mice treated with total saponin and lipophilic fraction, respectively. On day 14 after ${\gamma}$-irradiation, the ginseng total saponin pretreatment produced a slight increase of antioxidant enzymes activities and significantly Increased reduced glutathione (GSH) contents (p<0.05) in the liver compared with non-treated group. Pretreatment with ginseng total saponin significantly deceased GSSG/total GSH ratio (p<0.05) without change of GSSG in the liver and inhibited the radiation-induced incense in the hepatic malondialdehyde levels. (p<0.05) In these results, GSH plays an important role in the liver in several detoxifications and the reduction of lipid peroxides. Thus, it appears that total saponin of red ginseng exerts its radioprotective effect by accelerating the production of endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione from radiation induced damages and thereby oxygen free radicals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.442-450
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the preventive effect of Korean White Ginseng and Red Ginseng on oxidative stress in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. The roots of ginseng were extracted with 70% methanol and partitioned with butanol to obtain saponin fractions, which have been known as bioactive constituents of ginseng. 2',7'-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured for evaluating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Also, mRNA expressions and activities of antioxidant enzymes were analyzed to determine the antioxidant activity of saponin or non-saponin fractions of ginsengs. According to DCF-DA assay, $H_2O_2$-induced MDA release and ROS generation were significantly reduced by treatment with saponin fractions of white and red ginseng roots. Also, saponin fractions increased effectively intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 hepatoma cells. In general, red ginseng was more effective than white ginseng for reducing oxidative stress. These results indicate that administration of red ginseng may certainly contribute relatively stronger than white ginseng to prevent from damaging liver function by oxidative stress.