• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2023

Background: Due to the interrupted blood supply in cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), ischemic and hypoxia results in neuronal depolarization, insufficient NAD+, excessive levels of ROS, mitochondrial damages, and energy metabolism disorders, which triggers the ischemic cascades. Currently, improvement of mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism is as a vital therapeutic target and clinical strategy. Hence, it is greatly crucial to look for neuroprotective natural agents with mitochondria protection actions and explore the mediated targets for treating CIS. In the previous study, notoginseng leaf triterpenes (PNGL) from Panax notoginseng stems and leaves was demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the potential mechanisms have been not completely elaborate. Methods: The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) was adopted to verify the neuroprotective effects and potential pharmacology mechanisms of PNGL in vivo. Antioxidant markers were evaluated by kit detection. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by ATP content measurement, ATPase, NAD and NADH kits. And the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and pathological staining (H&E and Nissl) were used to detect cerebral morphological changes and mitochondrial structural damages. Western blotting, ELISA and immunofluorescence assay were utilized to explore the mitochondrial protection effects and its related mechanisms in vivo. Results: In vivo, treatment with PNGL markedly reduced excessive oxidative stress, inhibited mitochondrial injury, alleviated energy metabolism dysfunction, decreased neuronal loss and apoptosis, and thus notedly raised neuronal survival under ischemia and hypoxia. Meanwhile, PNGL significantly increased the expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) in the ischemic regions, and regulated its related downstream SIRT1/2/3-MnSOD/PGC-1α pathways. Conclusion: The study finds that the mitochondrial protective effects of PNGL are associated with the NAMPT-SIRT1/2/3-MnSOD/PGC-1α signal pathways. PNGL, as a novel candidate drug, has great application prospects for preventing and treating ischemic stroke.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 1996

This study was carried out to determine the differences of essential oil components among Korean, Chinese and Japanese red ginseng, and Korean white ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A Mayer) , American and Canadian ginseng (P. Quinquefolium), and sanchi ginseng (P notoginseng). The steam distilled oils of these ginsengs were analyzed by GC and GC-MS, and 22 sesquiterpenes, 8 sesquiterpene alcohols, 8 monoterpenes, 5 aldehydes, 4 esters, 3 acids, 2 alcohols and 5 miscellaneous components were identified. The major oil components of Korean, Chinese and Japanese red ginseng were $\beta$-panasinsene, $\beta$-caryophyllene, $\alpha$-panasinsene, $\alpha$-neoclovene, selina-4,11-diane, bicyclo-ger-macrene and spathulenol. The contents of $\beta$-panasinsene, $\alpha$-neoclovene, $\alpha$-basabolene and spathulenol were higher in Korean red ginseng than Chinese and Japanese red ginseng. The contents of $\alpha$-cubebene, selina-4,11-diene and ledol were higher in Chinese red ginseng than Korean and Japanese red ginseng, but those of selina-4,11-diene and spathulenol were lower in Japanese red ginseng than Korean or Chinese red ginseng. On the other hand, the GC patterns of the oils from American, Canadian and sanchi ginseng were different from that of Korean white ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 1985

Lipid and fatty acid compositions of the free lipids in Panax ginseng (Korea, Japan and China), Panax quinquefolium (America, Canada) and Panax notoginseng (China) were studied by means of silicic acid column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. Free lipid contents were 1.13 to 1.24% in panax ginseng and 0.87 to 1.18% in Panax quinquefolium and 0.39% in panax notoginseng. Neutral lipid fractions were 81.2 to 84.4%, while glycolipid fractions 8.01% to 14.47% and phospholipid fractions 3.49 to 5.74% in free lipid contents. The major components were triglycerides, free sterols, diglyceride, free fatty acids and sterol esters in neutral lipid fractions, sterol glucoside, monogalactosyl diglyceride, digalactosyl diglyceride, esterified steryl glucoside in glycolipid fractions and phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatide, ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline in phospholipid fractions. The contents and compositions of neutral lipids and glyclipids were some different among various ginsengs, whereas phospholipids showed relatively similar compositions in the contents. Seventeen fatty acids were analyzed in the four free lipid fractions from the various ginsengs and the main fatty acids were linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and linolenic acid. It was found that the amounts of some fatty acids were different among the various ginsengs, but the fatty acid patterns of these ginsengs were on the whole similar.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.426-432
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• 2010

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a mixed extract of three herbs, Panax Notoginseng, Rehmanniae Radix and Acanthopanacis cortex (AIF), for the treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Twelve healthy male horses were included in this study. Horses were assigned to one of two groups: the AIF group (n=6) or the control group (n=6). Osteoarthritis was induced in all horses by intraarticular injection of sodium monoiodoacetate (0.12 mg/kg). Horses in the AIF group received 3 g of AIF with food daily, and those in the control group received food only. Treatment began on the day of intraarticular injection. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed every 2 weeks. At week 12, horses were euthanatized, and postmortem gross pathologic and histologic examinations of the middle carpal joint were performed. There were no significant differences in clinical values between the two groups. Radiographic evaluation revealed that the percentages of narrowness of joint space width in the control group were significantly higher than those in the AIF group (p<0.02). On gross pathologic examination, the mean total dimensions of articular cartilage erosions and fibrillations in the control group ($101.5{\pm}41.5mm^2$) were significantly wider than those in the AIF group ($29.3{\pm}39.7mm^2$; p<0.01). On histopathologic evaluation, significantly higher grades of staining intensity and lower empty lacunae (EL) ratios were found in the AIF group (p<0.03). The present study revealed that AIF had significant disease modifying effects in horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2018

Background: Panax notoginseng leaves (PNL) exhibit extensive activities, but few analytical methods have been established to exclusively determine the dammarane triterpene saponins in PNL. Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) and HPLC-UV methods were developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of ginsenosides in PNL, respectively. Results: Extraction conditions, including solvents and extraction methods, were optimized, which showed that ginsenosides Rc and Rb3, the main components of PNL, are transformed to notoginsenosides Fe and Fd, respectively, in the presence of water, by removing a glucose residue from position C-3 via possible enzymatic hydrolysis. A total of 57 saponins were identified in the methanolic extract of PNL by UPLC/Q-TOF MS. Among them, 19 components were unambiguously characterized by their reference substances. Additionally, seven saponins of PNL-ginsenosides Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rb3, and notoginsenosides Fc, Fe, and Fd-were quantified using the HPLC-UV method after extraction with methanol. The separation of analytes, particularly the separation of notoginsenoside Fc and ginsenoside Rc, was achieved on a Zorbax ODS C8 column at a temperature of $35^{\circ}C$. This developed HPLC-UV method provides an adequate linearity ($r^2$ > 0.999), repeatability (relative standard deviation, RSD < 2.98%), and inter- and intraday variations (RSD < 4.40%) with recovery (98.7-106.1%) of seven saponins concerned. This validated method was also conducted to determine seven components in 10 batches of PNL. Conclusion: These findings are beneficial to the quality control of PNL and its relevant products.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2016

Background: Blind and excessive application of fertilizers was found during the cultivation of Panax notoginseng in fields, as well as increase in root rot disease incidence. Methods: Both "3414" application and orthogonal test designs were performed at Shilin county, Yunnan province, China, for NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and mineral fertilizers, respectively. The data were used to construct the one-, two-, and three-factor quadratic regression models. The effect of fertilizer deficiency on root yield loss was also analyzed to confirm the result predicted by these models. A pot culture experiment was performed to observe the incidence rate of root rot disease and to obtain the best range in which the highest yield of root and saponins could be realized. Results: The best application strategy for NPK fertilizer was $0kg/667m^2$, $17.01kg/667m^2$, and $56.87kg/667m^2$, respectively, which can produce the highest root yield of 1,861.90 g (dried root of 100 plants). For mineral fertilizers, calcium and magnesium fertilizers had a significant and positive effect on root yield and the content of four active saponins, respectively. The severity of root rot disease increased with the increase in soil moisture. The best range of soil moisture varied from 0.56 FC (field capacity of water) to 0.59 FC, when the highest yield of root and saponins could be realized as well as the lower incidence rate of root disease. Conclusion: These results indicate that the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used in these fields is excessive and that of potassium fertilizer is deficient. Higher soil moisture is an important factor that increases the severity of the root rot disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.487-495
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• 2017

Background: Although flowers of Panax ginseng Meyer (FPG), Panax quinquefolius L. (FPQ), and Panax notoginseng Burk. (FPN) have been historically used as both medicine and food, each is used differently in practice. Methods: To investigate the connection between components and enhancing immunity activity of FPG, FPQ, and FPN, a method based on a rapid LC coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight MS and immunomodulatory activity study evaluated by a carbon clearance test were combined. Results: According to quantitative results, the ratio of the total content of protopanaxatiol-type ginsenosides to protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides in FPN was 0, but ranged from 1.10 to 1.32 and from 0.23 to 0.35 in FPG and FPQ, respectively. The ratio of the total content of neutral ginsenosides to the corresponding malonyl-ginsenosides in FPN ($5.52{\pm}1.33%$) was higher than FPG ($3.2{\pm}0.64%$) and FPQ ($2.39{\pm}0.57%$). The colorimetric analysis showed the content of total ginsenosides in FPQ, FPG, and FPN to be $13.75{\pm}0.60%$, $17.45{\pm}0.42%$, and $12.45{\pm}1.77%$, respectively. The carbon clearance assay indicated that the phagocytic activity of FPG and FPQ was higher than that of FPN. A clear discrimination among FPG, FPQ, and FPN was observed in the principal component analysis score plots. Seven compounds were confirmed to contribute strongly by loading plots, which may be the cause of differences in efficacy. Conclusion: This study provides basic information about the chemical and bioactive comparison of FPG, FPQ, and FPN, indicating that protopanaxtriol-type ginsenosides and malonyl-ginsenosides may play a key role in their enhancing immunity properties.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2022

In our greenhouse experiment, soil heat treatment groups (50, 80, and 121℃) significantly promoted growth and disease suppression of Panax notoginseng in consecutively cultivated soil (CCS) samples (p < 0.01), and 80℃ worked better than 50℃ and 121℃ (p < 0.01). Furthermore, we found that heat treatment at 80℃ changes the microbial diversity in CCS, and the inhibition ratios of culturable microorganisms, such as fungi and actinomycetes, were nearly 100%. However, the heat-tolerant bacterial community was preserved. The 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing analyses indicated that the soil heat treatment had a greater effect on the Chao1 index and Shannon's diversity index of bacteria than fungi, and the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were significantly higher than without heating (80 and 121℃, p < 0.05). Soil probiotic bacteria, such as Bacillus (67%), Sporosarcina (9%), Paenibacillus (6%), Paenisporosarcina (6%), and Cohnella (4%), remained in the soil after the 80℃ and 121℃ heat treatments. Although steam increased the relative abundances of most of the heat-tolerant microbes before sowing, richness and diversity gradually recovered to the level of CCS, regardless of fungi or bacteria, after replanting. Thus, we added heat-tolerant microbes (such as Bacillus) after steaming, which reduced the relative abundance of pathogens, recruited antagonistic bacteria, and provided a long-term protective effect compared to the steaming and Bacillus alone (p < 0.05). Taken together, the current study provides novel insight into sustainable agriculture in a consecutively cultivated system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.145-147
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• 1993

The amounts of ginseng acidic polysaccharide (GAP) in red ginseng (Panax ginseng) were higher than those of wild and cultured Panax quinquefolius, Panax notoginseng as well as white ginseng (Panax ginseng). In white ginseng, there is no difference in the GAP amount among root ages or sizes. Also, the GAP amount of red ginseng body was similar to that of ginseng rhizome, but was higher than that of leaf and epidermis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2008

Objectives : In order to distinguish morphological characteristics of trunk bark and root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Rehder) Nakai and the trunk bark and root bark of Hemiptelea davidii Planchon were sampled and compared in terms of their external and internal features with flour states according to their medical use, through microscopic examination. Methods : The slice of the tested material made by paraffin section technique was colored with Safranine Malachite Green contrast methods, and the flour of it was mounted by the liquid made by the same ratio of each of glycerin, acetic acid, and water, and then observed and photographed by olymphus-BHT. Results : 1. Internal Features 1) A large parenchymatous cell was observed in the phloem of the slice of both trunk bark and root bark of Ulmi Cortex, However, both of the trunk bark and root bark of Hemipteleae Cortex did not have parenchymatous cell in the phloem; instead, stone cells including much square crystal of calcium oxalate were distributed around fiber bundle, and the parenchymatous cell included much druse crystal of calcium oxalate. 2) In both the Ulmi Cortex and Hemipteleae Cortex, rhytidome was observed in trunk bark, but not in root bark, but in the parenchymatous cell of the root bark of the Ulmi Cortex contained starch grain. 2. Flour States 1) In the flour of root bark of the Ulmi Cortex, a large parenchymatous cell was observed. However, in the flour of trunk bark and root bark of Hemipteleae Cortex, no parenchymatous eel was found; instead, stone cell including square crystal of calcium oxalate and druse crystal of calcium oxalate were observed. 2) There was no remarkable difference between the trunk bark and root bark of Hemipteleae Cortex. However, starch grain was contained in the parenchymatous cell of the root bark of Ulmi Cortex but not in the trunk bark of it. Conclusions : There were some morphological differences in external, internal, and flour parts of Ulmi Cortex and Hemipteleae Cortex. In particular, there was a morphological difference in flour states between the trunk bark and root bark of Ulmi Cortex, it is possible to use microscope to distinguish their flour states.