Determination of Seven Major Ginsenosides in Different Parts of Panax quinquefolius L.(American Ginseng) with Different Ages

Ginsenosides Rgl, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, and Rd in different parts of the American ginseng plant were investigated. The extraction process was a pressurized microwave-assisted extraction（PMAE）. The seven ginsenosides were separated and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） with a ultraviolet（UV） detector, at 203 nm. The experiment results showed significant variations in the individual ginsenoside contents of the American ginseng in different parts and ages of the plant. The results demonstrated that the leaves, root hairs, and rhizomes of Panax quinquefolius L. contained higher ginsenoside contents, followed by the main roots and stems. The leaves contained dramatically higher levels of ginsenoside Rg1 Rb3, and Rd than the other four parts. Higher contents of Rb1 and Re were present in the main roots, root hairs, and rhizomes. The amount of ginsenoside content in the stems was the lowest. The total content of the seven ginsenosides in main roots, root hairs and rhizomes increased with the age of the plant. In contrast, the ginsenoside contents in the leaves and stems decreased with a year of growth.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction Process of Polysaccharides from American Ginseng and Evaluation of Its Immunostimulating Activity

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction （UAE） of American ginseng polysaccharides （AGP） was investigated using response surface methodology. Three-factor-three-level Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the ultrasonic power, extraction time and ratio of water to raw material to obtain a high AGP yield. The analysis of variance and response surface plots indicated that ultrasonic power was the most important factor affecting the extraction yield. The optimal conditions were ultrasonic power 400 W, extraction time 71 min, and ratio of water to raw material 33 mL g-1. Under these conditions, the yield of AGP was 8.09%, which was agreed closely to the predicted value. Gas chromatography （GC） analysis showed that AGP was composed of arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, glucose, and galacturonic acid. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed the general characteristic absorption peaks of AGP. In addition, AGP exhibited good immunostimulating activities by up-regulating the production of nitric oxide and cytokines. Compared with hot water extraction, UAE required shorter extraction time and gave a higher extraction yield, without changing the structure and immunostimulating activity of AGP. The results indicated that UAE could be an effective and advisable technique for the large scale production of plant polysaccharides.

American ginseng supplementation attenuates creatine kinase level induced by submaximal exercise in human beings

AIM: To investigate whether American ginseng (AG, Panax quinquefolium) supplementation was able to improve endurance exercise performance.METHODS: Thirteen physically active male college students were divided into two groups (AG or placebo)and received supplementation for 4 wk, before the exhaustive running exercise. Treadmill speed was increased to a pace equivalent to 80% VO2max of the subject. A 4-wk washout period followed before the subjects crossed over and received the alternate supplement for the next 4 wk.They then completed a second exhaustive running exercise. The physiological variables that were examined included time to exhaustion and oxygen pulse. Moreover,the plasma creatine kinase (CK) and lactate were measured prior to the exercise, at 15 and 30 min during exercise,immediately after exercise, and 20, 40, 60, and 120 min after exercise.RESULTS: The major finding of this investigation was that the production plasma CK during the exercise significantly decreased for group AG than for group P. Secondary physiological finding was that 80% VO2max running was not improved over a 4-wk AG supplementation regimen.CONCLUSION: Supplementation with AG for 4 wk prior to an exhaustive aerobic treadmill running reduced the leakage of CK during exercise, but did not enhance aerobic work capacity. The reduction of plasma CK may be due to the fact that AG is effective for the decrease of skeletal muscle cell membrane damage, induced by exercise during the high-intensity treadmill run.

Construction and Characterization of a cDNA Expression Library for the North American Ginseng Root Tissues

The root of Panax ginseng plant undergoes a specific developmental process to become a biosynthesis and accumulation tissue for ginsenosides. To identify and analyze genes involved in the biosynthesis of ginsenoside, we constructed and characterized a full-length cDNA library for 6-year-old North American ginseng. The titer of primary cDNA library is 1.2 × 10^6 pfu/mL, the titer of amplified library is 2. 6 × 10^10 pfu/mL and the rate of recombinant is above 86%. The insert size ranges from 0. 3 to 2.0 kb. Sequencing results show that 18 of 58 genes are high homologous to the genes （GBRS, GBR3 and GBR1 ） known in GenBank, which are involved in biosynthesis of ginsenoside in North American ginseng plant; 16 of 58 genes are novel genes. The full-length cDNA library of North American ginseng root tissues is essential for the cloning of genes known and it is also an initial key for the screening and cloning of new genes.

Comparing Ginsenoside Production in Leaves and Roots of Wild American Ginseng (<i>Panax quinquefolius</i>)

American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius L., is an herbaceous perennial species that is destructively harvested for its bioactive compounds called ginsenosides. The demand for this herb fosters illegal poaching and over-harvesting that reduces genetic variability and population viability. Five wild populations in western North Carolina were studied to better understand the production of ginsenosides in leaf and root tissues. Total ginsenoside concentration was significantly higher in leaves than roots, though total yield was higher in roots due to greater root biomass. However, some ginsensosides (Rb2, Rd and Re) had higher or more consistent yields in leaves than roots, so might be developed into a sustainable source of these medicinally-active compounds. Additionally, we identified regional root chemotypes that differed in the production of the ginsenosides Rg1 and Re and could be developed into regional cultivars depending on the desired panel of ginsenosides.

Evaluation and prediction of ecological suitability of medicinal plant American ginseng (panax quinquefolius)

Objective： American ginseng is a medicinal plant with large market demands,however,its producing areas are shrinking because of the continuous cropping obstacles in China.Therefore,it is urgent to establish a suitable model to determine the new producing areas.Here we evaluated and predicted the suitable areas of American ginseng using the maximum entropy model（Max Ent）.Methods： Based on the 37 environmental variables over thirty years from 1970 to 20 0 0 and 226 global distribution points of American ginseng,Max Ent was used to determine the global ecological suitable areas for American ginseng.The Receiver Operating Curve（ROC）was used to evaluate the model prediction accuracy.Meanwhile,an innovative ecological variable,the precipitation–temperature ratio,was established to indicate the climate characteristic in the American ginseng suitable areas based on the monthly precipitation and temperature.Results： The potential ecological suitable areas of American ginseng were primarily in Appalachian Mountain in America and Changbai Mountain in China,about in the range of 35 °N–50 °N,60 °W–120 °W and 35 °N–50 °N,110 °E–145 °E,respectively,including the United States,Canada,China,North Korea,South Korea,Russia and Japan.South Korea and Japan were the potential producing regions.The precipitation–temperature ratios were stable at（0.22,0.56）of the vigorous growth period（April–October）in the best suitable areas of American ginseng,serving as characteristic parameters to optimize the prediction model.The model showed that the common soil parameters were pH 4.5–7.2,Base Saturation（BS）above 80%,Cation Exchange Capacity（CEC）10–20 cmol/kg,organic carbon（OC）〈 1.4%,and the soil types were sandy loam or loam.Conclusion： An optimized Max Ent model was established to predict the producing area for American ginseng that needed to be validated by a field test.

Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo and American ginseng mixture: A Chinese herbal formulation for gut microbiota modulation

Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo(D. officinale) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). A mixture of D. officinale and American ginseng has been shown to enhance cell-mediated immunity, humoral immunity, and monocyte/macrophage functions in mice. Here, the effects of a D. officinale and American ginseng mixture on the structure of gut microbial community in dogs were examined using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The data revealed that while the mixture did not change the diversity of gut microbial community significantly, differences among individuals were significantly reduced. Furthermore, the mixture-responsive operational taxonomic units(OTUs) exhibited a phase-dependent expression pattern. Fifty-five OTUs were found to exhibit a mixture-induced expression pattern, among which one third were short-chain fatty acid(SCFA)-producing genera and the others were probiotic genera included Lactobacillus spp., Sutterella, Alistipes, Anaerovorax, Bilophila, Coprococcus, Gordonibacter, Oscillibacter, among others. By contrast, 36% of the OTUs exhibiting a mixture-repressed expression pattern were disease-associated microorganisms, and six genera, namely Actinomyces, Escherichia/Shigella, Fusobacterium, Slackia, Streptococcus and Solobacterium, were associated with cancer. In addition, five genera were closely associated with diabetes, namely Collinsella,Rothia, Howardella, Slackia and Intestinibacter. Our results indicate that this D. officinale and American ginseng mixture may be used as a prebiotic agent to enhance SCFA-producing genera and prevent gut dysbiosis.

Immunomodulatory effect of a formula developed from American ginseng and Chinese jujube extracts in mice

Background： American ginseng（Panax quinquefolius L.） and Chinese jujube（Zizyphus jujuba Mill.） are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance immune function. Objective： The present study aimed to develop one Chinese prescription, Shenzao Cha（SZC）, consisting of American ginseng and Chinese jujube, and systematically investigate its immunomodulation in healthy ICR mice. Methods： Normal ICR mice received intragastric administration of SZC（1.3, 2.6, and 5.2 g raw material/kg body weight） once daily for four weeks, while a control group received the same amount of sterile water. Results： SZC significantly increased the spleen and thymus indices and T-lymphocyte proliferation, while the T-lymphocyte proliferation in the 5.2 g/kg group was 1.4-fold higher than that in the control. Further, 1.3 g/kg SZC could markedly improve hemolytic activity by 25.2%, and 2.6 g/kg SZC increased the NK cell activity by 78.6% relative to the control. In addition, the activities of antioxidant enzymes（superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase）, that participated in modulating oxidative stress, were significantly increased in the liver, spleen, thymus, and serum, while the contents of malondialdehyde were dramatically decreased. Conclusions： SZC exhibited potent immunomodulatory effects on innate and adaptive immunity in healthy ICR mice, as well as potential antioxidant activity for prevention of oxidative stress, which was suggested to partly contribute to the immune enhancement.

Parameter calibration of American ginseng seeds for discrete element simulation

The accurate contact parameters of American ginseng seed particles are the basis for establishing the discrete element simulation model of American ginseng seeds.The parameters of American ginseng seeds were calibrated by combining the physical tests and simulation tests together.The basic physical parameters,contact parameters and repose angle of sprouted American ginseng seeds were determined by physical tests.The simulation parameters were significantly screened by conducting the Plackett-Burman test.Meanwhile,it was determined that the collision recovery coefficient,static friction coefficient and rolling friction coefficient of interspecific contact parameters have significant influences on the repose angle of the simulation test.By the steepest climb test,the optimal interval for the value of the significance parameter was determined.Subsequently,the second-order regression equation between contact parameters and the repose angle was established,the regression equation was optimized and solved,and the best combination of simulation parameters was determined.The collision recovery coefficient between sprouted American ginseng seeds was 0.346,the static friction coefficient was 0.769,and the rolling friction coefficient was 0.490.By the calibrated seed group of American ginseng for discrete element simulation test,the average repose value angle was 38.80°,and the relative error with the measured repose angle was 0.733%.The results revealed that the simulation parameters of American ginseng seeds were reliable,which can provide a basis for the design and performance optimization of American ginseng seed-metering device in the later stage.

Advances in Transcriptomic Studies and Ginsenoside Biosynthesis of American Ginseng

American ginseng（Panax quinquefolius L.）, belonging to the Araliaceae family, is one of the most widely used traditional herbs in the world. Its major bioactive constituents are triterpene saponins known as ginsenosides. Up to date, it is still a big challenge to sequence and assemble the large and repeat-enriched genome of tetraploid American ginseng, using whole genome shotgun（WGS） sequencing strategy. The lack of American ginseng genome information has significantly impeded its genetic and functional genomic studies. With the development of next-generation sequencing（NGS） technologies, sequencing and analysis of transcriptomes have become powerful tools for the discovery of novel genes and elucidation of specific biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites. Here we summarized the recent advances in the transcriptomic studies of American ginseng, including high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, assembly, and functional gene annotation and classification. Based on the results of transcriptomic data mining and co-expression analyses, many candidate genes possibly involved in the biosynthetic pathway of ginsenosides have been found, thereby providing an unparalleled opportunity to fully understand the mechanism of ginsenoside biosynthesis and its regulations in American ginseng. Advances in transcriptomic studies will contribute to the molecular breeding and planting management of American ginseng and to the development of novel ginsenoside-type drugs.

Technological Choice and Challenge in North AmericanGinseng Production

in recent years, there have been draniatic increases in the production of NorthAmerican ginseng around the tvorld. These increases and the expectation of their continuation havegiven rise to a need to critically evaluate all aspects of North American ginseng (Panar quinquefoliumL.) production. Employing a system approach, the production of North American ginseng can be di-vided into its principal components that include seed preparation and planting, growing environmentcreation and maintenance, plant health maintenance, harvest and post-harvest activities, and productprocessing. As competitive industry forces are beginning to result in increased global competition, itis prudent to carefully assess both the strengths and weaknesses of the North American ginseng pro-duction system. It is clear that the utilization of appropriate technology will be a key to future industrysuccesses and the continuity of successful economic development that is associated with the industry.It is recognized that careful technological choices and changes will be required to successfully facethe challenges of an ever increasingly competitive global ginseng marketplace.

Dove Stewed with American Ginseng

Ingredients:Three doves, 10g American ginseng, 5g salt, 10g cookingwine, 30g scallion and ginger, 3g MSG, 2g white pepperpowder, 5g sesame oil arid 700g broth.Method:1. Cook the doves in boiling water for a short while, softenthe American ginseng in lukewarm water, then cut it intopieces;, mince the scallion and ginger.2. Put the doves into a clay pot, add broth, sliced Americanginseng and flavorings. Bring to the boil, then reduce heatand stew gently until the doves are tender. Remove fromheat and place on a flat plate. Sprinkle the sesame oil

American Ginseng Teaand Resist in Fatigue

The fatigue is a main factor to endanger the human health in the 21st century. In the current society, because the rhythm of life is accelerated and overworked for a long time or beared greater psychological pressure for a long time, if not rest reasonable

西洋参果正丁醇部位的化学成分研究

为探究西洋参果正丁醇部位的化学成分,本研究采用硅胶、MCI、RP-C18柱色谱及半制备HPLC等方法对西洋参果正丁醇部位的化学成分进行分离纯化,根据波谱学数据分析及文献比对鉴定其结构。从西洋参果中共分离得到25个人参皂苷类化合物,分别鉴定为人参皂苷Rg_(6)(1)、人参皂苷Rh_(2)(2)、20(22)E-人参皂苷Rh_(4)(3)、拟人参皂苷RT_(5)(4)、人参皂苷Rh_(1)(5)、20(R)-人参皂苷Rh_(1)(6)、人参皂苷F_(1)(7)、拟人参皂苷F_(11)(8)、人参皂苷Rg_(1)(9)、人参皂苷Rg_(2)(10)、20(R)-人参皂苷Rg_(2)(11)、人参皂苷F_(2)(12)、人参皂苷Rg_(3) (13)、20 (R)-人参皂苷Rg_(3) (14)、人参皂苷Re (15)、人参皂苷Rs_(3) (16)、人参皂苷Rc (17)、人参皂苷Rd (18)、人参皂苷Rb_(1)(19)、人参皂苷Rb_(2)(20)、人参皂苷Rb_(3)(21)、人参皂苷Ro(22)、绞股蓝皂苷Ⅶ(23)、三七皂苷R_(1)(24)和三七皂苷Fe(25)。化合物1、3、6、11、12、16和23~25为首次从西洋参果中分离得到,其中化合物1、3、16和24为首次从西洋参中分离得到,该研究可为西洋参的综合开发利用提供化学物质基础。

西洋参花多糖闪式提取工艺优化及抗氧化活性研究

目的:研究西洋参花多糖闪式提取的最佳工艺条件及抗氧化活性。方法:以西洋参花为原料,考察提取电压、液料比、提取时间对西洋参花多糖得率的影响,采用响应面法优化西洋参花多糖闪式提取工艺。通过测定西洋参花多糖对DPPH自由基和羟基自由基的清除作用及总还原力,考察西洋参花多糖的抗氧化活性。结果:通过实验得到西洋参花多糖的最佳提取工艺条件为:提取电压:130 V,液料比:30:1 mL/g,提取时间:100 s。在此条件下,西洋参花多糖得率为11.12%±0.23%,与模型预测值相当;西洋参花多糖体外抗氧化显示其对DPPH自由基和羟基自由基清除率的IC_(50)值分别为1.34、1.42 mg/mL,且具有一定还原力。表明西洋参花具有较强的抗氧化活性,且随着多糖浓度的增加,抗氧化活性不断增强。结论:本实验得到的提取工艺条件具有可行性,可用于西洋参花多糖的提取。西洋参花多糖具有较好的抗氧化活性。本研究可为西洋参花的开发利用提供理论依据。

基于谱-效相关斑马鱼肺癌细胞异种移植模型西洋参抑制肺癌作用的物质基础研究

目的探究西洋参皂苷成分抗肺癌作用的药效物质基础。方法使用超高效液相色谱-四极杆-静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS)技术建立西洋参皂苷类成分定量指纹图谱检测方法;通过斑马鱼异种移植模型进行药效评价;采用偏最小二乘相关回归分析法分析西洋参抑制肺癌作用的活性成分。结果通过40批次西洋参样品的谱、效数据检测和偏最小二乘相关回归分析发现,西洋参皂苷成分绝大多数与抑制肺癌增值呈正相关,药效贡献程度排序为丙二酰人参皂苷Rb_(1)>人参皂苷Rb_(1)>乙酰基人参皂苷Rb_(1)>竹节参皂苷Ib>丙二酰人参皂苷Re>野山参皂苷B>丙二酰基Re_(1)>人参皂苷Ro>竹节参皂苷Ⅳa(VIP>1)。结论西洋参皂苷成分能够抑制A549肺癌细胞在斑马鱼体内增殖,筛选的药效活性成分可以为肺癌抑制药物的深入研发提供数据支撑。

生地百合西洋参胶囊对小鼠睡眠的促进作用及其安全性研究

为了研究生地百合西洋参胶囊对小鼠睡眠的作用并对其毒理安全性进行评价,本试验以低[200 mg/(kg·bw)]、中[400 mg/(kg·bw)]、高[800 mg/(kg·bw)]剂量的生地百合西洋参胶囊连续给小鼠灌胃30 d,通过直接诱导睡眠试验、延长戊巴比妥钠睡眠时间试验、戊巴比妥钠阈下剂量催眠试验,以及小鼠脑组织中5羟色胺(5-HT)、γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)和多巴胺(DA)含量的检测,分析其改善睡眠的作用;以最大给药剂量试验(MTD)进行生地百合西洋参胶囊的小鼠急性毒性试验;以低[1 g/(kg·bw)]、中[2 g/(kg·bw)]、高[4 g/(kg·bw)]剂量的生地百合西洋参胶囊给大鼠连续灌胃30 d,评价其对大鼠的毒理安全性。结果显示,与对照组相比,生地百合西洋参胶囊对小鼠无直接诱导睡眠作用,不同剂量的生地百合西洋参胶囊均能显著延长小鼠的戊巴比妥钠睡眠时间(P<0.05或P<0.01),中、高剂量组小鼠的催眠入睡率显著提高(P<0.05或P<0.01),小鼠脑组织中5-HT和GABA的含量显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01),高剂量组小鼠脑组织中DA的含量显著降低(P<0.05);以15 g/(kg·bw)剂量给小鼠灌胃生地百合西洋参胶囊14 d,小鼠均未出现死亡和中毒现象。大鼠在30 d喂养试验期间生长状况良好,各剂量组大鼠的体重增长量、进食量、食物利用率、血常规、血液生化和脏器系数等指标均与对照组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结果表明,生地百合西洋参胶囊具有改善小鼠睡眠的作用,其作用机制与对小鼠脑组织中5-HT、GABA和DA含量的调节有关,本试验所用剂量范围对大鼠和小鼠均无明显毒性,安全性良好。本试验结果可为生地百合西洋参胶囊的临床应用提供参考依据。

热风干燥和冷冻干燥对西洋参外观、显微特征和人参皂苷含量影响的比较研究

目的:比较热风干燥的西洋参和冷冻干燥的西洋参之间的差异,并提供改进西洋参质量的更好干燥方法。方法:在本研究中,我们使用CR-410色差计和扫描电子显微镜(scanning electron microscopy,SEM)比较了热风干燥的西洋参和冷冻干燥的西洋参的外观特征。此外,使用UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS/MS和高效液相色谱法(high performance liquid chromatography,HPLC)对热风干燥的西洋参和冷冻干燥的西洋参中的人参皂苷进行定性和定量测定。结果:研究结果表明,与热风干燥方法相比,冷冻干燥不仅在外观上具有明显优势,而且具有更高的生物活性成分。结论:冷冻干燥有利于保留西洋参中的人参皂苷,并有助于保持这种功能性食品的生物活性效果。

西洋参种植土壤中五氯硝基苯及其降解产物的残留分析

研究分析和评估西洋参种植土壤中五氯硝基苯及其降解产物的残留情况,为西洋参种植土壤的治理及安全评估提供依据。分别采集了3个区域的土壤样品,采用气相色谱仪(GC-ECD)测定,建立了土壤中五氯硝基苯(PCNB)及其降解产物五氯苯胺(PCA)和甲基五氯苯基硫醚(PCTA)残留的分析方法。检测结果表明,样品中均可以检测到五氯硝基苯及其降解产物,五氯硝基苯残留量与其降解产物的残留量存在显著的正相关系,不同区域的残留量差异较大。

基于红参掺伪检查的大活络丸质量控制研究

目的:建立大活络丸中红参掺伪西洋参检查方法,以期更好地监测大活络丸的质量。方法:采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)法,以西洋参特征成分拟人参皂苷F11为检测指标,采用C_(18)(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.8μm)色谱柱,以乙腈-10 mmol·L^(-1)甲酸铵溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,流速0.3 mL·min^(-1),柱温40℃;电喷雾负离子扫描,多反应监测模式。结果:制剂基质效应不明显;拟人参皂苷F11在0.0117~1.167μg·mL^(-1)范围内线性关系良好(R^(2)>0.9990),并与不同掺伪比例呈线性相关;平均回收率为95.2%,RSD=1.73%(n=6)。96批样品中,37批检出拟人参皂苷F_(11),5批超过拟定限度,涉及1家企业,不合格率5.2%。结论:本研究较全面地开展了大活络丸中红参掺伪西洋参检查方法的研制工作,且方法灵敏、准确,适用于大活络丸的质量监测。