• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.3
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• pp.119-131
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of and solution to thermogenic reactions to Korean ginseng through bibliographic research. A review of bibliography on the thermogenic reaction induced by ginseng indicated that people who lack fluids, have fever in lungs, a stuffy chest, coughing up sputum, a strong pulse, and constipation due to fever in the stomach may exhibit such a reaction. In the herbal medicine book of the Qing Dynasty, Bon-Cho-Jeong-Ui (本草正義) recorded that wild simulated ginseng is slightly cold and replenishes the body's liquid reserves. The book also describes the field cultivated ginseng is slightly warm and enhancing stamina. Bon-Kyung-Bong-Won (本經逢源), Bon-Cho-Pyon-Dok (本草便讀), and Bon-Cho-Jeong-Ui were published authors in the Qing Dynasty, and they explained that ginseng fine root is bitter, supplements bodily fluids, and can be easily ingested because it is cold. Wol-Ji-In-Sam-Jeon (月池人蔘傳) and Bon-Cho-Bi-Yo (本草備要) described fresh ginseng assweet, bitter, and slightly cold in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, respectively. On the basis of this bibliographic description, the thermogenic reaction induced by Korean ginseng can be overcome by using ginseng fine root, fresh ginseng, or wild simulated ginseng. These ginseng radices are slightly cool, replenish human bodily fluids, and show the physiological effects of easy ingestion properties.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.589-599
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• 2019

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is known as a conventional herbal medicine, and ginsenoside Rg1, a steroid glycoside, is one of its components. Although Rg1 has been proved to have an antiobesity effect, the mechanism of this effect and whether it involves adipose browning have not been elucidated. Methods: 3T3-L1 and subcutaneous white adipocytes from mice were used to access the thermogenic effect of Rg1. Adipose mitochondria and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Protein level and mRNA of UCP1 were also evaluated by Western blotting and realtime polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Rg1 dramatically enhanced expression of brown adipocyte-especific markers, such as UCP1 and fatty acid oxidation genes, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. In addition, it modulated lipid metabolism, activated 5' adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase, and promoted lipid droplet dispersion. Conclusions: Rg1 increases UCP1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in 3T3-L1 and subcutaneous white adipose cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice. We suggest that Rg1 exerts its antiobesity effects by promoting adipocyte browning through activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway.