Development of Near Infrared Spectroscopy for Rapid Quality Assessment of Red Ginseng

Near infrared spectroscopy（NIRS） was developed as a rapid analysis method for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the quality of red ginseng. Discriminant analysis（DA） based on principal component analysis and Mahalanobis distance was used to distinguish red ginseng from counterfeits non-destructively. The result shows that the proposed method could distinguish red ginseng from counterfeits correctly and no misclassified sample was found in both training and test sets. The partial least squares（PLS） algorithm was used to predict the sum of ginsenosides Re and Rgl and the content of ginsenoside Rb1. Two calibration models were developed to correlate NIR spectra with the reference values determined by HPLC method. The correlation coefficient（R）, the root mean square error of calibration（RMSEC） and the root mean square error of prediction（RMSEP） were as follows： R=0.9827, RMSEC=0.0163%, RMSEP=0.0250% for the sum of ginsenosides Re and Rgl; R=0.9869, RMSEC=0.0156%, RMSEP=0.0256% for content of ginsenoside Rb1. The overall results demonstrate that NIRS coupled with chemometrics could be successfully applied as a rapid, precise and cost-effective method not only to identify the red ginseng from counterfeits but also to determine simultaneously some chemical compositions in red ginseng.

Determination of AF and AFG in Red Ginseng by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (HPLC-ELSD)

[Objective]The paper was to establish a method for determining AF and AFG in red ginseng.[Method]A new simple,rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of two amadori compounds,arginyl-fructose(AF)and arginyl-fructosyl-glucose(AFG),in extracts of three kinds of ginseng preparations was developed and validated using high performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector(HPLC-ELSD).Two target analytes were efficiently separated by Prevail CTM18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm)at the flow rate of 0.8 mL/min within 15 min of single chromatographic run.[Result]Under optimized conditions,the detection limits were 0.015 and 0.02 mg/mL for AF and AFG,respectively.Calibration curves of peak area for two analytes were linear over three orders of magnitude with the correlation coefficients greater than 0.999.The average recoveries,precision,reproducibility and stability for two analytes(AF and AFG)were 99.5% and 100.9%,0.43% and 0.47%,0.46% and 0.43%,0.41% and 0.49%,respectively.[Conclusion]This method was successfully applied for quantifying AF and AFG in red ginseng and the method was efficient,sensitive and accurate.

Immunoregulation Effect of Red Ginseng Aqueous Extract on Mice

[Objectives]The paper was to observe the effects of red ginseng aqueous extract on immune function of mice.[Methods]The aqueous extract of red ginseng was obtained by water extraction and concentration,and 10 mL of aqueous extract was equivalent to 2.86 g of raw materials.Total 240 mice were randomly divided into blank control group,low dose,medium dose and high dose groups of red ginseng aqueous extract,60 mice each group.Mice in low dose,medium dose and high dose groups were intragastrically administered with 0.24,0.48,1.43 g/kg red ginseng aqueous extract once a day respectively,and those in blank control group were intragastrically administered with equal volume of deionized water at the dose of 0.1 mL/10 g once a day for consecutive 30 d.The immunoregulation effects of red ginseng aqueous extract on mice were explored by organ/body weight ratio measurement,delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH)reaction,Con A-induced spleen T lymphocyte transformation test,antibody-producing cells test,half hemolytic value(HC 50)test,carbon particle clearance test,phagocytosis test of chicken red blood cells by macrophages and NK cell activity test.[Results]Compared with the blank control group,the degree of toe swelling in low dose group and medium dose group of red ginseng aqueous extract[(0.62±0.14)mm,(0.53±0.12)mm vs.(0.36±0.10)mm]significantly increased(P<0.05).The ability of T lymphocytes proliferation(0.173±0.054,0.189±0.063 vs.0.098±0.012)in low dose group and high dose group significantly increased(P<0.05).The number of haemolytic plaque(137.49×10^(3)±24.73×10^(3),148.43×10^(3)±27.53×10^(3) vs.112.96×10^(3)±26.28×10^(3))in medium dose group and high dose group significantly increased(P<0.05).The phagocytosis rate(35.67%±3.82%,49.26%±6.54%,57.92%±7.36%vs.24.34%±4.22%)and phagocytosis index(0.72±0.23,0.82±0.15,0.91±0.26 vs.0.35±0.11)of low dose,medium dose,high dose groups significantly increased(P<0.05).However,there was no statistical difference in spleen/body weight ratio,thymus/body weight ratio,half hemolytic value,carbon particle clearance and NK cell activity.[Conclusions]Red ginseng aqueous extract could enhance the immunity of mice.

Korean red ginseng, a best gift for you

Korean ginseng is a medicinal herb, naturally exists in only three regions: 'Korea'(33.7-43.1), 'Man-churia'(43-47), and the Littoral province of Siberia. The Korean peninsula is the best place to grow ginseng, because ginseng has stringent requirements for the plant's growth, and Korea has the ideal temperature zone, plenty of rain in the summer, proper coldness in the winter, etc. The value of Korean ginseng has been known in the world since the 4th century B. C. Books written in this era documented gi...

Korean red ginseng,a best gift for you

Korean ginseng is a medicinal herb, naturally exists in only three regions:“Korea”(33.7-43.1),“Manchuria”(43-47),and the Littoral province of Siberia. The Korean peninsula is the best place to grow ginseng,because ginseng has strin- gent requirements for the plant's growth, and Korea has the ideal temperature zone, plenty of rain in the summer,proper cold- ness in the winter,etc.The value of Korean ginseng has been known in the world since the 4th century B.C.Books written in this era documented ginseng ...

Korean red ginseng,a well-known medicine

The efficacy and applications of ginseng are also described in many other journals of Oriental medicine,which rate ginseng as a master medicine that plays a major role in prescriptions． Dr.I.I.Brekhmann.a Russian

Renewable Biofuel Production Using Red Ginseng Marc in Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is one of the clean and sustainable energy technologies, often referred to as renewable energy, and directly chemical energy contained in organic matter into electrical energy by using the catalytic activity of microorganisms. Cellulosic biomass is a particularly attractive renewable resource for its abundant supply at low cost and its neutral carbon balance. However, methanogenesis had been negatively linked to anaerobic cellulosic power generation in MFCs. Ginseng root is a saponin-rich plant material and red ginseng marc (RGM) has not been reused as a high-value resource for industry although its residue contained both electron donors and saponin, the potential power generation enhancers for MFC. In this study, RGM was supplemented into MFC to evaluate its effects on methanogenesis and power generation. Two-chamber H-type MFCs were established using rumen fluid as anolyte to ferment cellulose at 2% (w/v). RGM, the residue from the steam and press process for red ginseng beverage preparation, was freeze-dried and ground to pass 0.5 mm sieve and added to the anode of MFC at 1% (w/v;Exp. 1) or 0.1% (Exp. 2) dose for treatment. Open circuit voltage, voltage and current across an external resistor were measured daily for 10d. On d10 of operation, collected biogases were measured for total gas production and analyzed for its components. In Exp. 1, power density was between 44.0 and 97.2 with an average of 83.8 mW/m2 in 1% RGM MFCs and was between 45.2 and 76.3 with an average of 61.5 mW/m2 in control. In Exp. 2, power density was between 44.8 and 75.6 with an average of 60.9 mW/m2 in 0.1% RGM MFCs and was between 45.1 and 54.1 with an average of 49.7 mW/m2 in control. Total gas production for 10d was 563 and 523 mL for RGM and control, respectively, in Exp 1, and was 546 and 477 mL for RGM and control, respectively, in Exp 2. Methane took up 58.6 and 67.9% of total gas for RGM and control, respectively, in Exp 1, and 59.1 and 67.3% of total gas for RGM and control, respectively, in Exp 2. Both greater (P < 0.05) power generation less (P < 0.05) methane proportion in RGM MFCs in both Exp. 1 and 2 strongly supports the potential use of red ginseng marc as MFC supplements.

Korean red ginseng promotes hippocampal neurogenesis in mice

Neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus plays a major role in cognitive ability of animals including learning and memory.Korean red ginseng (KRG) has long been known as a medicinal herb with the potential to improve learning and memory;however,the mechanisms are still elusive.Therefore,we evaluated whether KRG can promote cognitive function and enhance neurogenesis in the hippocampus.Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice received 50 mg/kg of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) intraperitoneally and 100 mg/kg of KRG or vehicle orally once a day for 14 days.Pole,Rotarod and Morris water maze tests were performed and the brains were collected after the last behavioral test.Changes in the numbers of BrdU- and BrdU/ doublecortin (DCX;a marker for neuronal precursor cells and immature neurons)-positive cells in the dentate gyrus and the gene expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (a marker for cell differentiation),cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus were then investigated.KRG-treated mice came down the pole significantly faster and stood on the rotarod longer than vehicle-treated mice.The Morris water maze test showed that KRG administration enhanced the learning and memory abilities significantly.KRG also significantly increased BrdU- and BrdU/DCX-positive cells in the dentate gyrus as well as the proliferating cell nuclear antigen,cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor mRNA expression levels in the hippocampus compared to vehicle.Administration of KRG promotes learning and memory abilities,possibly by enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis.This study was approved by the Pusan National University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (approval No.PNU-2016-1071) on January 19,2016.

Red ginseng for atopic dermatitis

Red ginseng is known for its significant biological activities which include anti-inflammation. Red ginseng may be used for the management and prevention of atopic dermatitis based on its effect on an atopic dermatitis animal model. More therapeutic efficacies other than atopic dermatitis are also reviewed briefly.

Korean red ginseng alleviates benign prostatic hyperplasia by dysregulating androgen receptor signaling and inhibiting DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission

Panax ginseng(C.A.Mey.)has been traditionally employed in Korea and China to alleviate fatigue and digestive disorders.In particular,Korean red ginseng(KRG),derived from streamed and dried P.ginseng,is known for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.However,its effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH),a representative aging-related disease,and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic effects of KRG on BPH,with a particular focus on mitochondrial dynamics,including fission and fusion processes.The effects of KRG on cell proliferation,apoptosis,and mitochondrial dynamics and morphology were evaluated in a rat model of testosterone propionate(TP)-induced BPH and TP-treated LNCaP cells,with mdivi-1 as a control.The results revealed that KRG treatment reduced the levels of androgen receptors(AR)and prostate-specific antigens in the BPH group.KRG inhibited cell proliferation by downregulating cyclin D and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)levels,and it promoted apoptosis by increasing the ratio of B-cell lymphoma protein 2(Bcl-2)-associated X protein(Bax)to Bcl-2 expression.Notably,KRG treatment enhanced the phosphorylation of dynamin-related protein 1(DRP-1,serine 637)compared with that in the BPH group,which inhibited mitochondrial fission and led to mitochondrial elongation.This modulation of mitochondrial dynamics was associated with decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis.By dysregulating AR signaling and inhibiting mitochondrial fission through enhanced DRP-1(ser637)phosphorylation,KRG effectively reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis.These findings suggest that KRG’s regulation of mitochondrial dynamics offers a promising clinical approach for the treatment of BPH.

Red Ginseng for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective： Red ginseng （RG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer） is one of the widely used herbs for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus （DM）. However, no systematic review of the effectiveness of RG for type 2 DM is available. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence for the effectiveness of RG in patients with type 2 DM. Methods＂ Electronic searches of 14 electronic databases were conducted without language restrictions. All randomized clinical trials （RCTs） with RG as a treatment for type 2 DM were considered for inclusion. Their methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane criteria. Results： Four RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Their methodological quality was variable. Three of the RCTs compared the effectiveness of RG with placebo. The meta-analysis of these data failed to favor RG over placebo for fasting plasma glucose （FPG） [n=76, weighted mean difference （WMD）： -0.43 mmol/L; 95% confidence interval （CI）： -1.16 to 0.30, P=0.25] and fasting plasma insulin （FPI） （n=76, WMD： -8.43 pmol/L; 95% Ch -19.54 to 2.68, P=0.14） for 12 weeks of treatment. One RCT compared the effects of RG with no treatment. The results did not suggest favorable effects of RG on FPG, hemoglobin Alo （HbAlc） or 2-h blood glucose after a meal （PP2h）. Conclusions： The evidence for the effectiveness of RG in controlling glucose in type 2 DM is not convincing. Few included studies with various treatment regimens prohibit definitive conclusions. More rigorous studies are needed to clarify the effects of RG on this condition.

Oral administration of red ginseng powder fermented with probiotic alleviates the severity of dextran-sulfate sodium-induced colitis in a mouse model

Red ginseng is a well-known alternative medicine with anti-inflammatory activity.It exerts pharmacological effects through the transformation of saponin into metabolites by intestinal microbiota.Given that intestinal microflora vary among individuals,the pharmacological effects of red ginseng likely vary among individuals.In order to produce homogeneously effective red ginseng,we prepared probiotic-fermented red ginseng and evaluated its activity using a dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis model in mice.Initial analysis of intestinal damage indicated that the administration of probiotic-fermented red ginseng significantly decreased the severity of colitis,compared with the control and the activity was higher than that induced by oral administration of ginseng powder or probiotics only.Subsequent analysis of the levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α,inflammatory biomarkers that are increased at the initiation stage of colitis,were significantly decreased in probiotic-fermented red ginseng-treated groups in comparison to the control group.The levels of inflammatory cytokines and mR NAs for inflammatory factors in colorectal tissues were also significantly decreased in probiotic-fermented red ginseng-treated groups.Collectively,oral administration of probiotic-fermented red ginseng reduced the severity of colitis in a mouse model,suggesting that it can be used as a uniformly effective red ginseng product.

Korean red ginseng decreases 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced mitophagy in SH-SY5Y cells

Objective:Mitophagy is known to contribute towards progression of Parkinson’s disease.Korean red ginseng(KRG)is a widely used medicinal herb in East Asia,and recent studies have reported that KRG prevents 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion(MPP^(+))-induced cell death.This study was undertaken to investigate whether KRG suppresses MPP^(+)-induced apoptosis and mitophagy.Methods:SH-SY5 Y cells were incubated with KRG for 24 h,and subsequently exposed to MPP^(+).The MPP^(+)-induced cell death was confirmed with the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay,and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d UTP nick end-labeling assay.Changes in the structure and function of mitochondria were confirmed using mitotracker,Mito SOX red mitochondrial superoxide indicator,parkin,and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1)immunofluorescent staining.Western blotting was performed to evaluate the expression of apoptosis-related factors in whole cells,including Bax,Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3,and mitophagy-related factors in the mitochondrial fraction,including cytochrome c,parkin,PINK1,translocase of the outer membrane 20(TOM20),p62 and Beclin 1.Results:MPP^(+)induced cell death by cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation;however,this effect was suppressed by KRG’s regulation of the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax.Moreover,MPP^(+)exposure increased the mitochondrial expressions of parkin,PINK1,Beclin 1 and p62,and decreased TOM20,cytochrome c and Bcl-2 expressions.These MPP^(+)-induced changes in the mitochondrial fraction were attenuated by treatment with KRG.Conclusion:KRG effectively prevents MPP^(+)-induced SH-SY5 Y cell death by regulating cytochrome c release from mitochondria and PINK1/parkin-mediated mitophagy,through regulation of the Bcl-2 family.

Adjuvant Effects of Fermented Red Ginseng Extract on Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy

Objective： To investigate the adjuvant therapeutic effects of fermented red ginseng（FRG） extract on non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC） patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods： A total of 60 patients with advanced NSCLC were assigned to two groups using a random number table, i.e., the gemcitabine plus cisplatin（GP） chemotherapy alone group（26 patients） and the FRG ＋ GP chemotherapy group（34 patients）, for 60-day treatment. Patients were then assessed according to the Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Chinese medicine symptoms score, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung. In addition, chemotherapy toxicity and tumor biomarkers were measured. Results： For NSCLC patients after chemotherapy, FRG extract significantly improved the FSI score, CM symptoms score, psychological status, physical conditions, and quality of life and reduced chemotherapy toxicity（P〈0.01）, but the expression levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin-19 fragments, and neuron-specific enolase were not significantly different between the chemotherapy alone and the FRG ＋ chemotherapy groups or between pre-and post-treatments（P〉0.05）. Conclusions： This study demonstrated that FRG extract had an adjuvant effect on advanced NSCLC patients treated with chemotherapy. Further studies with a larger sample size will verify the current findings.

Identification and Evaluation of a Panel of Ginsenosides from Different Red Ginseng Extracts with Nootropic Effect

Red ginseng has been gradually discovered to have pharmacological and physiological effects. It is well known that the most important bioactive components of ginseng are ginsenosides. The nootropic effect of ginsenosides from nine different red ginseng extracts was evaluated here. Nine groups of mice were perfused with different concentrations of nine red ginseng extracts, respectively, and two groups of mice with distilled water. The nootropic effect of ginsenosides on mice was evaluated with behavior tests and a biochemical indicator study. The extracts were identified by rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（RRLC-Q-TOF-MS）. Furthermore, principal component analysis（PCA） was used to analyze the contribution of chemical components from different ginseng groups. The extracts with the most and the weakest effective nootropic were found. It is notable that extract processing is a very important factor to decide pharmacological functions of ginseng extracts. As a conclusion, the most effective extract method for ginsenosides has been found. A panel of 13 ginsenosides has been screened out as chemical markers with nootropic effect, which include high level ginsenosides Ra0, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Re, Rd, and Rgl and low level ginsenosides mRb1, mRc, mRb2, mRd, and F2. Low level ginsenosides were first time to be discovered as possible nootropic compounds. This method may shed light on fast discovery of bioactive compounds of medicinal plants with low level compounds.

Quantitative Analysis of Eight Ginsenosides in Red Ginseng Using Ginsenoside Rg1 as Single Reference Standard

Objective:To develop a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for the quantification of major ginsenosides in red ginseng(RG,the steamed and dried root of the cultivar of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey).Methods:A feasible method was developed in strict accordance with chromatographic properties of eight ginsenosides.Their contents could be unveiled with conventional external standard method,or as an alternative,using ginsenoside Rg1 as the single reference standard by means of seven conversion factors.Those parameters had been validated on different chromatographic columns and instruments.Results:Twenty-one batches of RG samples were determined.In addition,the chromatograms of RG and confusing species,including Panax ginseng,Panax quinquefolium,and Panax notoginseng,were apparently different.Conclusions:The method was proved to be efficient for the quality control of RG.

Effects of Red Ginseng on the Congestive Heart Failure and Its Mechanism

Forty-five patients with class cardiac tunction were divided randomly into three groups,group (digoxin group) , group ( red Ginseng group) and group ( red Ginseng plus digoxin group) .Each group consisted of 15 cases. After treatment, the improvement of the hemodynamical and biochemicalindexes of group and group were greater than those of group , and that of group was the most sig-nificant amongst all. The results suggested that red Ginseng and digoxin had synergism for treatment of con-gestive heart failure, and red Ginseng was an effective and sate adjuvant without any side effects.

Red ginseng and cancer treatment

The ginseng family,including Panax ginseng(Asian ginseng),Panax quinquefolius(American ginseng),and Panax notoginseng(notoginseng),is commonly used herbal medicine.White ginseng is prepared by air-drying after harvest,while red ginseng is prepared by a steaming or heating process.The anticancer activity of red ginseng is significantly increased,due to the production of active anticancer ginsenosides during the steaming treatment,compared with that of white ginseng.Thus far,anticancer studies have been mostly focused on Asian ginseng.In this article,we review the research progress made in the anticancer activities of red Asian ginseng,red American ginseng and red notoginseng.The major anticancer mechanisms of red ginseng compounds include cell cycle arrest,induction of apoptosis/paraptosis,and inhibition of angiogenesis.The structure-function relationship analysis has revealed that the protopanaxadiol group ginsenosides have more potent effects than the protopanaxatriol group.Sugar molecules in ginsenosides inversely impact the antiproliferative potential of these compounds.In addition,ginsenoside stereoselectivity and double bond position also influence the anticancer activity.Future studies should focus on characterizing active red ginseng derivatives as potential anticancer drugs.

基于UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS测定人参属中药对甲亢大鼠类固醇激素含量的影响

本研究利用超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS)联用技术定量测定甲亢大鼠血清中肾上腺素和多种类固醇激素,探讨血清中类固醇激素含量与甲状腺功能亢进的相关性,以及不同药性人参属中药红参和人参叶对甲亢高代谢的改善作用。采用主成分分析(PCA)、Spearman检验进行肾上腺素和类固醇激素与甲状腺功能的相关性分析。结果表明,UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS能够快速检测待测物的含量和变化,灵敏度高、重现性好、准确率高且分析速度快。与空白组相比,甲亢大鼠血清中类固醇激素含量均有不同程度的降低,给予不同药性人参属中药后均出现升高。类固醇激素水平异常在一定程度上与甲状腺激素有关,皮质酮和肾上腺素可作为中药调节类固醇激素代谢的关键指标;睾酮可作为寒性中药调节类固醇激素的生物标志物;肾上腺素和雄烯二酮可作为温性中药调节类固醇激素的生物标志物。该方法能够系统、快速、准确、高效地完成大鼠血清中类固醇激素含量的测定,为类固醇激素的分析测定提供方法参考。

红参-丹参对药治疗难治性心力衰竭经验

难治性心力衰竭(refractory heart failure,RHF)又称顽固性心力衰竭,在中医学属于“喘证”“胸痹”等范畴。文章通过对张叶祥主任应用红参-丹参对药的经验及中医古代文献的梳理,探讨红参-丹参对药治疗RHF的配伍特点和临床应用。张师认为“虚”“瘀”“水”统领RHF的病机,虚证以心肾阳虚为本,实证以水饮、痰湿、瘀血内停为主,强调“心肾同治”可为治疗RHF基本原则,治疗时多配伍红参-丹参对药,认为其具有内外同调、上下同治、交通心肾的功效,临床疗效显著。