• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 1998

The root of Aralia continentalis Kitagawa (Araliaceae) have been used as an analgesic and fever remedy, and for treatment of rheumatism in Chinese medicine, whereas the young leaves are used for ingredient of salad. Antioxidant activity of the young leaves of A. continentails was determined by measuring lipid peroxide produced when a mouse liver homogenate was exposed to the air at $37^{\circ}C$, using 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and by evaluation the radical scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Chromatographic separation of active fraction led to the isolation of six flavonoids, among which quercetin, hyperoside and kaempferol showed strong antioxidant activities, while 6"-O-acetyl astragalin, astragalin and trifolin were inactive. Adenosine, oleanolic acid 28-O-glucosyl ester and salsoloside C methyl ester isolated from the somewhat active BuOH fraction exhibited no antioxidant activities.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.156-164
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the anxiolytic-like effects Panax ginseng in mice using the elevated plus-maze model. Furthermore, the anxiolytic-like effects of Panax ginseng were compared to a known active anxiolytic drug, diazepam. Ginseng total saponin (GTS, 100 mg/kg) from red ginseng (RG), sun ginseng (SG) total extract (50 mg/kg), butanol fraction of SG(25 and 50 mg/kg) and ginsenosides ($Rb_1,\;Rg_1,\;and\;Rg_5$ and Rk mixture) significantly increased the number of open arm entries and the time spent on the open arm, compared with that of control. However, Red ginseng (RG) total extract (l00 mg/kg), GTS (25, 50 mg/kg), SG total extract (25 mg/kg) and ginsenosides ($Rg_{3}-R\;and\;Rg_{3}-S$) did not increase the number of open arm entries and the time spent on the open arm. On the other hand, butanol fraction of RG (l00 mg/kg), total extract of SG (50 mg/kg), butanol fraction of SG (50 mg/kg), ginsenosides ($Rb_{1},\;and\;Rg_{5}$ and Rk mixture) decreased the locomotor activity, in a similar fashion to diazepam. These data support that ginseng has the anxiolytic-like effects and the anxiolytic potential of SG was stronger than that of RG. Ginsenosides $Rb_{1},\;Rg_{1},\;and\;Rg_{5}$ and Rk mixture play important role on the anxiolytic-like effects of Panax ginseng. We provide evidence that ginseng and some ginsenosides may be useful for the treatment of anxiety.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2020

This study was performed to find anti-inflammatory or antitumor compounds from the polar fraction obtained from the extract of Clinopodium chinense var. shibetchense (H. Lev) Koidz (Labiatae). Chromatography of the BuOH fraction yielded two flavonoid glycosides (compounds 1 and 2) and two saponins (compounds 3 and 4). On the basis of spectroscopic data, compounds 1 and 2 were identified to be ponciretin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-D-glucopyranoside (neoponcirin) and naringenin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-D-glucopyranoside (isonaringin). Compounds 3 and 4 were identified to be 3-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-fucopyranosyl}-saikogenin F (buddlejasaponin IV) and 3-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-fucopyranosyl}-21β-hydroxysaikogenin F (clinoposaponin XV). In addition, ursolic acid (5) was isolated and identified from the CHCl₃ fraction. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) assay and sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay were performed to lead a potential anti-inflammatory or anti-tumor compounds from C. chinense var. shibetchense. Of the four compounds (1 - 4), compound 3 considerably inhibited cancer cell growth and NO production (IC₅₀s, 5.59 μM in iNOS assay and 6.62 - 14.88 μM in SRB assay).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2015

Background: Korean ginseng is an ethnopharmacologically valuable herbal plant with various biological properties including anticancer, antiatherosclerosis, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Since there is currently no drug or therapeutic remedy derived from Korean ginseng, we developed a ginsenoside-enriched fraction (AP-SF) for prevention of various inflammatory symptoms. Methods: The anti-inflammatory efficacy of AP-SF was tested under in vitro inflammatory conditions including nitric oxide (NO) production and inflammatory gene expression. The molecular events of inflammatory responses were explored by immunoblot analysis. Results: AP-SF led to a significant suppression of NO production compared with a conventional Korean ginseng saponin fraction, induced by both lipopolysaccharide and zymosan A. Interestingly, AP-SF strongly downregulated the mRNA levels of genes for inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and cyclooxygenase) without affecting cell viability. In agreement with these observations, AP-SF blocked the nuclear translocation of c-Jun at 2 h and also reduced phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and TAK-1, all of which are important for c-Jun translocation. Conclusion: Our results suggest that AP-SF inhibits activation of c-Jun-dependent inflammatory events. Thus, AP-SF may be useful as a novel anti-inflammatory remedy.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.291-299
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenosides of Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) and its saponin components suppress secretion of inflammasome-mediating cytokines, whereas the nonsaponin fraction (NS) of RGE oppositely stimulates cytokine secretion. Although direct exposure of NS to macrophages in mice induces cytokine production, oral administration of NS has not been studied in inflammasome-related disease in animal models. Methods: Mice were fed RGE or NS for 7 days and then developed peritonitis. Peritoneal cytokines were measured, and peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) were collected to assay expression levels of a set of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in response to NS ingestion. In addition, the role of intestinal bacteria in NS-fed mice was assessed. The effect of preexposure to NS in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) on cytokine production was further confirmed. Results: NS ingestion attenuated secretion of peritoneal cytokines resulting from peritonitis. In addition, the isolated PECs from NS-fed mice presented lower TLR transcription levels than PECs from control diet-fed mice. BMDMs treated with NS showed downregulation of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression, which was mediated by the $TLR4-MyD88-NF{\kappa}B$ signal pathway. BMDMs pretreated with NS produced less cytokines in response to TLR4 ligands. Conclusion: NS administration directly inhibits TLR4 expression in inflammatory cells such as macrophages, thereby reducing secretion of cytokines during peritonitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.744-753
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• 2021

Background: Gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) is a new non-saponin component glycolipoprotein isolated from ginseng root. This study examined the effect of GEF on age-related sarcopenia in old C57BL/6J mice. Methods: Young (3-6 months) and old (20-24 months) C57BL/6J mice received oral GEF (50 mg/kg/day or 150 mg/kg/day) daily for 5 weeks. During the oral administration period, body weight and grip strength were measured weekly. After sacrifice, muscles from the hindlimb were excised and used for hematoxylin and eosin staining and western blotting to determine the effects of GEF on sarcopenia. The thymus was photographed to compare size, and flow cytometry was performed to examine the effect of GEF on immune homeostasis in the thymus and spleen. Blood samples were collected, and the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and IGF-1 were measured. Results: GEF caused a significant increase in muscle strength, mass, and fiber size in old mice. GEF restored age-related disruption of immune homeostasis by maintaining T cell compartments and regulating inflammatory biomarkers. Thus, GEF reduced common low-grade chronic inflammatory parameters, which are the main cause of muscle loss. Conclusion: GEF maintained immune homeostasis and inhibited markers of chronic inflammation, resulting in anti-sarcopenia effects in aged C57BL/6J mice. Thus, GEF is a potential therapeutic agent that slows sarcopenia in the elderly.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.263-264
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• 2008

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.110-112
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• 1993

Acidic polysaccharide from Korean red ginseng was found to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity and cause reduction of plasma triglyceride level after oral administration of corn oil emulsion to rats. Thus acidic polysaccharide may reduce plasma triglyceride through its inhibitory action on pancreatic lipase and successive inhibition of intestinal absorption of fat due to reduction of lipolysis. In the course of this experiment, we found an unknown ninhydrin positive substance in Korean red ginseng. The unknown substance was identified to be arginyl-fructosyl glucose(Arg - Fru - Glc). Coment of this new compound was $5.37\%$ in Korean red ginseng powder. Sucrase and maltase activities in mucous layer of rat jejunum were found to be inhibited by Arg-Fru-Glc. Physiological significance of the new compound was discussed based on these experimental results.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.106-110
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• 1996

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effects of ginseng components on rat lens aldose reductase activity. Ginseng total saponin (GTS) exhibited inhibitory activities on rat lens aldose reductase in a dose-dependent manner. Among ginsenosides, Rf and Rgl showed potent inhibitory activities on rat lens aldose reductase. Lipid soluble fraction also inhibited rat lens aldose reductase activities. These data suggest that ginseng components inhibit rat lens aldose reductase activity in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.75-79
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• 2008

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein plays a major role in the development and maintenance of central and peripheral nervous system. Recent data suggest that reduced availability of NGF may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of diabetic $polyneuropathy.^{1)}$ In our previous study, steroidal saponin from Liriope platyphylla showed neurotrophic effect by stimulation of NGF synthesis and activation of tyrosine kinase $signaling.^{2)}$ In this study, we examined the neurotrophic effect of Liriope platyphylla (LP); which was from Mylyang(MYL) and Cheongyang(CHE), and Ophiopogon japonicus (CHI) on in vitro and in vivo model for the comparison of their NGF induction. We quantitatively analyzed spicatoside A in the LP and CHI by HPLC. And we investigated the correlation between the contents of spicatoside A and NGF induction efficacy on PC 12 cells and mouse serum. These results suggest that spicatoside A may enhance NGF induction in animal model.