Efficacy of ginseng-based Renshenguben oral solution for cancer-related fatigue among patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma:A prospective multicenter cohort study

Background:Cancer-related fatigue(CRF)is a common and debilitating symptom experienced by patients with advanced-stage cancer,especially those undergoing antitumor therapy.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Renshenguben(RSGB)oral solution,a ginseng-based traditional Chinese medicine,in alleviating CRF in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)receiving antitumor treatment.Methods:In this prospective,open-label,controlled,multicenter study,patients with advanced HCC at BCLC stage C and a brief fatigue inventory(BFI)score of≥4 were enrolled.Participants were assigned to the RSGB group(RSGB,10 mL twice daily)or the control group(with supportive care).Primary and secondary endpoints were the change in multidimensional fatigue inventory(MFI)score,and BFI and functional assessment of cancer therapy-hepatobiliary(FACT-Hep)scores at weeks 4 and 8 after enrollment.Adverse events(AEs)and toxicities were assessed.Results:A total of 409 participants were enrolled,with 206 assigned to the RSGB group.At week 4,there was a trend towards improvement,but the differences were not statistically significant.At week 8,the RSGB group exhibited a significantly lower MFI score(P<0.05)compared to the control group,indicating improved fatigue levels.Additionally,the RSGB group showed significantly greater decrease in BFI and FACT-Hep scores at week 8(P<0.05).Subgroup analyses among patients receiving various antitumor treatments showed similar results.Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that the RSGB group experienced a significantly substantial decrease in MFI,BFI,and FACT-Hep scores at week 8.No serious drug-related AEs or toxicities were observed.Conclusions:RSGB oral solution effectively reduced CRF in patients with advanced HCC undergoing antitumor therapy over an eight-week period,with no discernible toxicities.These findings support the potential of RSGB oral solution as an adjunctive treatment for managing CRF in this patient population.

Transcriptome-Wide Identification and Functional Analysis of PgSQE08-01 Gene in Ginsenoside Biosynthesis in Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.

Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.is an important plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine,whose primary active ingredient is a ginsenoside.Ginsenoside biosynthesis is not only regulated by transcription factors but also controlled by a variety of structural genes.Nonetheless,the molecular mechanism underlying ginsenoside biosynthesis has always been a topic in the discussion of ginseng secondary metabolites.Squalene epoxidase(SQE)is a key enzyme in the mevalonic acid pathway,which affects the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as terpenoid.Using ginseng transcriptome,expression,and ginsenoside content databases,this study employed bioinformatic methods to systematically analyze the genes encoding SQE in ginseng.We first selected six PgSQE candidates that were closely involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis and then identified PgSQE08-01 to be highly associated with ginsenoside biosynthesis.Next,we constructed the overexpression vector pCAMBIA3301-PgSQE08-01 and the RNAi vector pART27-PgSQE08-01 and transformed ginseng adventitious roots using Agrobacterium rhizogenes,to obtain positive hairy-root clones.Thereafter,quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to determine the expression of relevant genes and ginsenoside content,respectively.Then,we focused on the function of PgSQE08-01 gene,which was noted to be involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis.Thus,these findings not only provided a molecular basis for the identification of important functional genes in ginseng but also enriched genetic resources for the biosynthesis of ginsenosides using synthetic biology.

GPCR-Gs mediates the protective effects of ginsenoside Rb1 against oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation-induced astrocyte injury

Objectives:To investigate whether the protective actions of ginsenoside Rb1(Rb1)on astrocytes are mediated through the G_(s)-type G-protein-coupled receptor(GPCR-G_(s)).Methods:Primary astrocyte cultures derived from neonatal mouse brain were used.Astrocyte injury was induced via oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation(OGD/R).Cell morphology,viability,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)leakage,apoptosis,glutamate uptake,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)secretion were assessed to gauge cell survival and functionality.Western blot was used to investigate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)and protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathways.GPCR-G_(s)-specific inhibitors and molecular docking were used to identify target receptors.Results:Rb1 at concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 5μM did not significantly affect the viability,glutamate uptake,or BDNF secretion in normal astrocytes.OGD/R reduced astrocyte viability,increasing their LDH leakage and apoptosis rate.It also decreased glutamate uptake and BDNF secretion by these cells.Rb1 had protective effects of astrocytes challenged by OGD/R,by improving viability,reducing apoptosis,and enhancing glutamate uptake and BDNF secretion.Additionally,Rb1 activated the cAMP and Akt pathways in these cells.When the GPCR-G_(s) inhibitor NF449 was introduced,the protective effects of Rb1 completely disappeared,and its activation of cAMP and Akt signaling pathways was significantly inhibited.Conclusion:Rb1 protects against astrocytes from OGD/R-induced injury through GPCR-G_(s) mediation.

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

Purpose Our purpose was to compare the difference between hot-air dried American ginseng(HDAG)(Panacis Quinquefolii Radix)and freeze-dried American ginseng(FDAG)(Panacis Quinquefolii Radix)and provide a better drying approach for improv-ing the quality of American ginseng(Panacis Quinquefolii Radix).Methods In our present study,we compared the appearance features of HDAG and FDAG using a CR-410 colorimeter and scanning electron microscopy.Furthermore,we qualitatively and quantitatively determined ginsenosides in HDAG and FDAG by using UPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS/MS and high-performance liquid chromatography.Results Our present results showed that compared to the hot-air drying method,freeze-drying(FD)has obvious advantages in not only good appearances but also higher bioactive constituents for drying the American ginseng(Panacis Quinquefolii Radix).Conclusion FD is beneficial for the retention of ginsenosides in American ginseng(Panacis Quinquefolii Radix)and also helpful for maintaining the bioactive effects of this functional food.

Comparative analysis of physicochemical properties,ginsenosides content andα-amylase inhibitory effects in white ginseng and red ginsen

Ginseng(Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer)as a common dietary adjunct is widely applied in Traditional Chinese Medicine due to its health-promoting properties,but the differences between white ginseng and red ginseng was rarely studied.In the present study,color parameters and scanning electron microscope(SEM)were determined to evaluate the differences of ginseng color and microstructure induced by processing procedure.Quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single-marker(QAMS)method and anti-α-amylase activity test were used to assess variations of chemical ingredients and pharmacological activity between white and red ginseng.Finally,molecular docking studies were carried out to screen out the most effective compound againstα-amylase.Results indicated that processing had a significant impact on the physicochemical properties and pharmacological activity of white and red ginseng.After processing,the color value of L*declined significantly.Red ginseng sample displayed a compact structure and presented of a gel layer on the surface compared to white ginseng.Additionally,the content of ginsenosides and the activity of anti-α-amylase decreased.The contents of total ginsenosides were positively correlated with the anti-α-amylase activities of ginseng,and ginsenoside Rb1 might be the most effective compound to inhibit the activity ofα-amylase.

High-throughput transcriptional profiling of perturbations by Panax ginseng saponins and Panax notoginseng saponins using TCM-seq

Panax ginseng(PG)and Panax notoginseng(PN)are highly valuable Chinese medicines(CM).Although both CMs have similar active constituents,their clinical applications are clearly different.Over the past decade,RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)analysis has been employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of extracts or monomers.However,owing to the limited number of samples in standard RNA-seq,few studies have systematically compared the effects of PG and PN spanning multiple conditions at the transcriptomic level.Here,we developed an approach that simultaneously profiles transcriptome changes for multiplexed samples using RNA-seq(TCM-seq),a high-throughput,low-cost workflow to molecularly evaluate CM perturbations.A species-mixing experiment was conducted to illustrate the accuracy of sample multiplexing in TCM-seq.Transcriptomes from repeated samples were used to verify the robustness of TCM-seq.We then focused on the primary active components,Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)and Panax ginseng saponins(PGS)extracted from PN and PG,respectively.We also characterized the transcriptome changes of 10 cell lines,treated with four different doses of PNS and PGS,using TCM-seq to compare the differences in their perturbing effects on genes,functional pathways,gene modules,and molecular networks.The results of transcriptional data analysis showed that the transcriptional patterns of various cell lines were significantly distinct.PGS exhibited a stronger regulatory effect on genes involved in cardiovascular disease,whereas PNS resulted in a greater coagulation effect on vascular endothelial cells.This study proposes a paradigm to comprehensively explore the differences in mechanisms of action between CMs based on transcriptome readouts.

Molecular Mechanism of Ginseng in Treating Nephrotic Syndrome Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

[Objectives]To study the potential molecular mechanism of ginseng in treating nephrotic syndrome(NS)by using network pharmacology,molecular docking and experimental verification methods.[Methods]The active components and targets of ginseng were obtained through the network pharmacology database,and the potential targets for the treatment of NS were predicted.The STRING data platform and Cytoscape software were used to construct protein interaction network,and carry out GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.Molecular docking of active components of ginseng and core targets was performed.The in vitro experiment verified the improvement effect of kaempferol,a key active ingredient of ginseng,on podocyte injury.[Results]After screening,17 active components of ginseng and 38 key targets for treating NS were obtained.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that NF-κB,MAPK and other inflammatory pathways were involved.Molecular docking results show that the core components had good binding activity to key targets.The results of in vitro experiments show that kaempferol can reduce the phosphorylation level of AKT1,down-regulate the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65,play an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB pathway,and improve podocyte injury.[Conclusions]Ginseng may play a role in the treatment of NS by regulating multiple targets and pathways such as inflammatory response,substance metabolism,and signal transduction.

Effects of Ginseng Protein on Gut Microbiota and BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway in Alzheimer s Disease Mice

[Objectives] To investigate the effects of ginseng protein on gut microbiota and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in Alzheimer s disease (AD) mice. [Methods] D-galactose/AlCl 3 co-induction was used to establish AD model, and mice were randomly divided into normal group 1, normal group 2, model group 1, model group 2, ginseng protein group, and microbiota transplantation group. Morris water maze experiment was used to evaluate learning and memory ability, and Western blot method was used to detect the expression of APP, p-Tau, BDNF, TrkB, p-TrkB proteins in brain tissue, and 16S rDNA was used to detect diversity of fecal microbiota. [Results] Ginseng protein and microbiota transplantation can shorten the escape latency of mice ( P <0.05), increase the number of crossing platforms ( P <0.05), reduce the expression of APP and p-Tau proteins in brain tissue ( P <0.05, P <0.01), increase the expression of BDNF, p-TrkB, p-TrkB/TrkB proteins ( P <0.05, P <0.01), and reduce the abundance of Alloprevotella, Ruminococcaceae _UCG-014, Prevotellaceae _UCG-001, and Ruminococcus _1 ( P <0.05, P <0.01). [Conclusions] The action mechanism of ginseng protein anti AD may be through regulating gut microbiota diversity and activating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.

Effects of ginseng powder on chemical composition, antioxidant and sensory properties of biscuits

This work aimed to evaluate the quality of biscuits incorporated with ginseng powder.This powder was incorporated into wheat flour at levels ranging from 0 to 4%and used in the production of biscuits.The biscuits were analysed for proximate composition,sensory attributes,phytochemical content,and antioxidant properties.Results revealed that the moisture and fat contents of the biscuits significantly decreased with the incorporation of ginseng powder.Conversely,protein(3.15 to 4.55 g/100 g DM),carbohydrate(27.80 to 31.10 g/100 g DM)and fiber contents(6.21 to 13.74 g/100 g DM)significantly increased with incorporation.The total polyphenols,saponins,and total flavonoid contents increased from 1.67 to 1.99 mgGAE/100 g DM,0 to 0.69 mg,and 0.87 to 1.83 QE/100g DM respectively.Ginseng powder also significantly increased the DPPH scavenging activity,from 42.05%to 52.62%,and FRAP value from 2.25 to 7.71μgGAE/g with increased incorporation.However,the sensory attributes of the biscuits were not affected by the incorporation of ginseng.Ginseng powder can therefore be incorporated in wheat flour at up to 4%level for biscuits production as a functional food for the promotion of human health.

Dynamic of Soil Microorganisms from Root Region of Ginseng with Different Growing Years

Objective To see the dynamic of fungi, bacilli and actinomyces communities from root region of ginseng with different growing years.Method With ginseng root region soils from several sampling sites of Jilin Province as materials, concentrations of fungi, bacilli and antinomyces were evaluated by spread-plate method. Result Though there are differences on statistic data among soil samples, commonly with the increasing of growing years, concentration of fungi in ginseng root region increased, which were on the contrary for bacilli and antinomyces, and bacilli changed even more significant than antinomyces. Conclusion Concentrations of soil microorganisms can be influenced by soil type, planting mode and growing years simultaneously, but growing years influenced even more significantly.

Establishment of Optimization Conditions of SRAP-PCR System in Ginseng

[Objective]The research aimed study the amplification condition of SRAP-PCR of ginseng genome and set up the optimized amplification system/[Method]The effects of template DNA,primer,dNTP mixture and Mg^2＋ on PCR results were discussed.[Result] The optimized amplification procedure was as follows：pre-denaturing at 94 ℃ for 2 min;denaturing at 94 ℃ for 30 s,annealing at 48 ℃ for 30 s and extending at 72 ℃ for 1 min,40 cycles;extending at 72 ℃ for 7 min.The optimum reaction system was as follows：30 ng DNA template,2.0 μM upstream primer and downstream primer,0.3 mM dNTP mixture,2.5 Mm Mg2＋,the total volume was 25 μl.[Conclusion]The optimization amplification system for SRAP-PCR of ginseng was set up,which provided rapid and simplified test methods with good repeatability for SRAP analysis of the genetic relationship and genetic diversity of ginseng.

Screening of Two Biocontrol Strains of Bacillus subtilis against Ginseng Soil-borne Disease and Their Antifungal Activities

[ Objective] The paper was to obtain biocontrol strains with good control effects against ginseng soil-borne disease through screening. [ Method] Dilu- tion plate method and plate confrontation culture method were used to isolate and screen biocontrol bacteria from the rhizosphere soil of diseased ginseng. The strains were identified through morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA. [ Result ] With Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Fu- sarium solani as the indicator strains, two biocontrol strains B59 and X1 with strong antagonistic effects were screened from the rhizosphere soil of diseased ginseng in Tieli farm of Heilongjiang Province, and they were identified to be Bacillus subtilis. The inhibition rates of two biocontrol strains against eight different fungi were all greater than 90%. The primary study indicated that B59 and X1 strains could secrete antifungal active substances. [ Conclusion] Two biocontrol Bacillus subti- lis strains 1359 and X1 all had strong antagonistic effect against ginseng soil-borne disease, which had certain potential for development and utilization.

三七不同部位的生物活性及其在美容护肤方面的研究进展

综述了三七(Panaxnoto ginseng)不同部位所含的主要活性成分和药理作用,总结概述了三七不同部位的美容护肤作用机制及功效,并展望了三七在化妆品中的发展前景,旨在为三七在化妆品中的应用提供参考。

Study on Detection of Organochlorine Pesticide Residue in Ginseng

To investigate the residue situation of pesticides in ginseng, total 17 samples of ginseng-growing soil, ginseng roots and ginseng seeds were collected from 5 regions of Fusong County, and the contents of organochlorine pesticide residues in the samples were detected by using ultrasonic-assisted extraction and gas chromatography with acetone-ligroin as the solvent, thereby providing suitable recommendations and scientific basis for the selection of ginseng-growing soil.

The Mediation of Defense Responses of Ginseng Cells to an Elicitor from Cell Walls of Colletotrichum lagerarium by Plasma Membrane NAD(P)H Oxidases

NAD(P)H oxidases were detected in suspension cultured cells of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). The activities of these enzymes were induced by an elicitor (Cle) extracted from cell walls of Col-letotrichum lagerarium. In addition, Cle induced an oxidative burst and enhanced the synthesis of saponin, activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) , accumulation of chalcone synthase (CHS) and the transcription of a hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein gene ( hrgp ) . Pre-treatments with DPI and quinacrine (two inhibitors of mammalian neutrophil plasma membrane NADPH oxidase) for 30 min prior to Cle addition blocked the NAD(P)H oxidase activity induced by Cle. These inhibitors also inhibited the release of H2C2, the synthesis of saponin, PAL activity and CHS accumulation. Our data revealed homology between plasma membrane NAD(P)H oxidases of mammalian neutrophil cells and ginseng suspension cells. They also indicated that deactivated NAD(P)H oxidases catalysed the release of H2O2 and that H2O2 was functioning as a second messenger stimulating PAL activity, saponin synthesis and hrgp transcription. Elevations of Ca2 + and protein phos-phorylation/dephosphorylation were required for this defense process. We propose that NAD(P)H oxidases mediate the processes of Cle-induced defense responses in ginseng suspensions, and postulate the existence of a signalling cascade including extracellular Cle stimulation, activation of plasma membrane NAD(P)H oxidases, release of H2O2, and the intracellular responses of metabolism and gene transcription in ginseng suspension cells.

土壤改良对平地栽参人参茎叶总皂苷含量的影响

以人参(Panax ginseng C.A.Mey)茎叶总皂苷为评价指标,研究平地栽参不同土壤改良的最优方案。试验以二次回归正交旋转设计为基本数学模型,研究玉米秸秆、猪粪、鹿粪、拮抗菌、菌糠5种基质的不同组合对人参茎叶总皂苷含量的影响。模型解析发现,在相同的栽培条件下,5种基质对人参茎叶总皂苷含量的贡献从大到小为猪粪、鹿粪、玉米秸秆、菌糠、拮抗菌。计算机模拟寻优表明,玉米秸秆施用量6.64kg/m2,猪粪施用量3.24 kg/m2,鹿粪施用量3.48 kg/m2,拮抗菌施用量6.87 g/m2,菌糠施用量7.02 kg/m2条件下,人参茎叶总皂苷含量预测值为17.81%。综上这些栽培因素的组合可以作为平地栽培人参的推荐方案。

A new reaction system to determine nonlinear chemical fingerprint and its use in Panax ginseng identification method based on double reaction system

A new reaction system to determine nonlinear chemical fingerprint(NCF)and its use in identification method based on double reaction system was researched.Panax ginsengs,such as ginseng,American ginseng and notoginseng were identified by the method.The NCFs of the three samples of Panax ginsengs were determined through two nonlinear chemical systems,namely system 1 consisting of sample components,H2SO4,MnSO4,NaBrO3,acetone and the new system,system 2 consisting of sample components,H2SO4,(NH4)4Ce(SO4)2,NaBrO3 and citric acid.The comparison between the results determined through systems 1 and 2 shows that the speed to determine NCF through system 2 is much faster than that through system 1;for systems 1 and 2,the system similarities of the same kind of samples are≥98.09%and 99.78%,respectively,while those of different kinds of samples are≤63.04%and 86.34%,respectively.The results to identify the kinds of some samples by system similarity pattern show that both the accuracies of identification methods based on single system 1 and 2 are≥95.6%,and the average values are 97.1%and 96.3%,respectively;the accuracy of the method based on double system is≥97.8%,and the average accuracy is 99.3%.The accuracy of the method based on double system is higher than that based on any single system.

Activation of Plasma Membrane NADPH Oxidase and Generation of H_2O_2 Mediate the Induction of PAL Activity and Saponin Synthesis byEndogenous Elicitor in Suspension-Cultured Cells of Panax ginseng

Endogenous elicitor, termed cellulase-degraded cell wall (CDW), was prepared from the cell wall of suspension-cultured ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) cells via cellulase degradation. CDW activated the NADPH oxidase activity of isolated plasma membranes and stimulated in vivo H2O2 generation in ginseng cell suspensions. CDW also increased the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), expression of a P. ginseng squalene epoxidase (sqe) gene and saponin synthesis. NADPH oxidase inhibitors inhibited both in vitro NADPH oxidase activity and in vivo H2O2 generation. Induction of PAL activity, saponin synthesis and sqe gene expression were all inhibited by such inhibitor treatments and reduced by incubation with catalase and HA scavengers. These data indicate that activation of NADPH oxidase and generation of H2O2 are essential signalling events mediating defence responses induced by the endogenous elicitor(s) present in CDW.

Research Progress on the Control of Ginseng Gray Mold

This review article describes the research progresses on the control of ginseng gray mold, summarizes domestic and international related experimental re-sults and literature data using chemical fungicide, plant extracts, microbial prepara-tion and antagonistic bacteria to control ginseng gray mold, and final y puts forward the existing problem and future research direction of the treatment and control of ginseng gray mold.

人参出苗期4种氧化还原酶的活力变化

[目的]研究5年生人参中4种氧化还原酶在出苗期的活力变化。[方法]采用中性磷酸缓冲溶液提取粗酶液,并应用紫外分光光度法分别测定过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活力。[结果]人参幼苗活性氧清除代谢水平高于根部。幼苗POD与PPO酶活力先下降后上升;根部POD酶活力变化呈缓慢上升趋势,PPO酶活力变化不明显;幼苗CAT酶活力在整个出苗期始终保持上升趋势;幼苗与根部APX活力以上下波动形式变化。[结论]人参出苗期的4种氧化还原酶活力变化不同,可作为人参出苗期幼苗形态建成不同阶段的生理指标。