• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1791-1798
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• 2006

When ginsenoside Rg5, a main component isolated from red ginseng, was incubated with three human fecal microflora for 24 h, all specimens showed hydrolyzing activity: all specimens produced ginsenoside Rh3 as a main metabolite, but a minor metabolite $3{\beta},12{\beta}$-dihydroxydammar-21(22),24-diene (DD) was observed in two specimens. To evaluate the antiallergic effect of ginsenoside Rg5 and its metabolites, the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rg5 and its metabolite ginsenoside Rh3 against RBL-2H3 cell degranulation, mouse passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction induced by the IgE-antigen complex, and mouse ear skin dermatitis induced by 12-O-tetradecanoilphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) were measured. Ginsenosides Rg5 and Rh3 potently inhibited degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells. These ginsenosides also inhibited mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated by IgE-antigen. Orally and intraperitoneally administered ginsenoside Rg3 and orally administered ginsenoside Rg5 to mice potently inhibited the PCA reaction induced by IgE-antigen complex. However, intraperitoneally administered ginsenoside Rg5 nearly did not inhibit the PCA reaction. These ginsenosides not only suppressed the swelling of mouse ears induced by TPA, but also inhibited mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-4 and activation of transcription factor NF-kB. These inhibitions of ginsenoside Rh3 were more potent than those of ginsenoside Rg5. These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rg5 may be metabolized in vivo to ginsenoside Rh3 by human intestinal microflora, and ginsenoside Rh3 may improve antiallergic diseases, such as rhinitis and dermatitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.246-253
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• 2010

Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ ($Rg_3$), one of the active ingredients in Panax ginseng, attenuates NMDA receptor-mediated currents in vitro and antagonizes NMDA receptors through a glycine modulatory site in rat cultured hippocampal neurons. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ on 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OH-chol)-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. The results showed that $Rg_3$ treatment significantly and dose-dependently inhibited 24-OH-chol-induced cell death in rat cultured cortical neurons, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $28.7{\pm}7.5\;{\mu}m$. Furthermore, the $Rg_3$ treatment not only significantly reduced DNA damage, but also dose-dependently attenuated 24-OH-chol-induced caspase-3 activity. To study the mechanisms underlying the in vitro neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ against 25-OH-chol-induced cytotoxicity, we also examined the effect of $Rg_3$ on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ elevations in cultured neurons and found that $Rg_3$ treatment dose-dependently inhibited increases in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $40.37{\pm}12.88\;{\mu}m$. Additionally, $Rg_3$ treatment dose-dependently inhibited apoptosis with an $IC_{50}$ of $47.3{\pm}14.2\;{\mu}m$. Finally, after confirming the protective effect of $Rg_3$ using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay, we found that $Rg_3$ is an active component in ginseng-mediated neuroprotection. These results collectively indicate that $Rg_3$-induced neuroprotection against 24-OH-chol in rat cortical neurons might be achieved via inhibition of a 24-OH-chol-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ channel. This is the first report to employ cortical neurons to study the neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ against 24-OH-chol. In conclusion, $Rg_3$ was effective for protecting cells against 24-OH-chol-induced cytotoxicity in rat cortical neurons. This protective ability makes $Rg_3$ a promising agent in pathologies implicating neurodegeneration such as apoptosis or neuronal cell death.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.349-354
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• 2009

This study was conducted to develop a new method for enhancing ginsenoside $Rg_3$, which is abundant in black ginseng. The cognition-enhancing effect of black ginseng extract was investigated via the assay of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Black ginseng I was prepared through the traditional method (by steaming and drying nine times repetitions). Black ginseng II, on the other hand, was prepared by steaming the ginseng three times at $120^{\circ}C$ for 30 min after soaking it in grape juice for 24 h. The ginsenosides of white, red, and black ginseng I, and II were investigated using the HPLC method, respectively. In black ginseng II, the ginsenoside $Rg_3$ contents, which cannot be found in white ginseng, amounted to 10.91 mg/g, approximately 18 times more than that in red ginseng. In the in-vivo study, black ginseng extract (200 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the AChE activity after 24 h by a single administration in the brain. Thus, the new manufacturing method for black ginseng was found to more effective in the conversion of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ compared to the traditional method. Black ginseng may also have the effect of preventing the cognitive impairment induced by cholinergic dysfunction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2014

The transformation of ginsenoside Rb1 into a specific minor ginsenoside using Aspergillus niger KCCM 11239, as well as the identification of the transformed products and the pathway via thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were evaluated to develop a new biologically active material. The conversion of ginsenoside Rb1 generated Rd, Rg3, Rh2, and compound K although the reaction rates were low due to the low concentration. In enzymatic conversion, all of the ginsenoside Rb1 was converted to ginsenoside Rd and ginsenoside Rg3 after 24 h of incubation. The crude enzyme (b-glucosidase) from A. niger KCCM 11239 hydrolyzed the ${\beta}$-($1{\rightarrow}6$)-glucosidic linkage at the C-20 of ginsenoside Rb1 to generate ginsenoside Rd and ginsenoside Rg3. Our experimental demonstration showing that A. niger KCCM 11239 produces the ginsenoside-hydrolyzing b-glucosidase reflects the feasibility of developing a specific bioconversion process to obtain active minor ginsenosides.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1001-1005
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• 2014

Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the active ingredients extracted from red ginseng, and it is an effective chemical component of the human body and well known in herbal medicine as a restorative agent. Several studies have shown that Rg3 has a potent anti-tumor effect on various cancer cell lines. However, Rg3-induced apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cancer cells is not well understood. In the present study, we tested whether ginsenoside Rg3 could induce apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells. We found that Rg3 could inhibit B16F10 melanoma cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, but not normal cells, such as EA.hy.926 and NIH3T3 cells. We also found that Rg3 could induce apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells using tunnel-staining assay in a dose-dependent manner. Rg3 treatment induces the phosphorylation of p38 and the expression of Bax, but it inhibits the expressions of the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase Bcl2 and pro-caspase3. Taken together, our data suggest that Rg3 could be useful as an anti-cancer agent in B16F10 melanoma cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.4 s.147
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• pp.217-220
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• 2006

This study compared the contents of ginsenoside according to the extract conditions of red ginseng to provide basic information for developing functional food using red ginseng. According to the result, the content of crude saponin was highest in 72 hours of extraction at $82^{\circ}C$ (RG-823). The content of prosapogenin (ginsenoside $Rh_1,\;Rh_2,\;Rg_2,\;Rg_3$) was highest in 48 hours of extraction, and followed by 72 and 24 hours at $82^{\circ}C$. And at $93^{\circ}C$ the prosapogenin contents were highest in the order of 48 hours, and next in 24 and 72 hours. In addition, ginsenoside $Rb_1,\;Rb_2$ Rc and Re were not detected in 72 hours of extraction at $93^{\circ}C$ (RG-933) presumedly due to hydrolysis, but ginsenoside Rd, Rf and $Rg_1$ were detected as long as 72 hours of extraction. These results show that protopanaxatriol group is relatively more resistant to heat than protopanaxadiol group.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.421-430
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• 2019

Background: The ginsenoside Rg3, one of active components of red ginseng, has chemopreventive and anticancer potential. Cancer stem cells retain self-renewal properties which account for cancer recurrence and resistance to anticancer therapy. In our present study, we investigated whether the standardized Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) and Rg3 could modulate the manifestation of breast cancer stem cell-like features through regulation of self-renewal activity. Methods: The effects of RGE and Rg3 on the proportion of $CD44^{high}/CD24^{low}$ cells, as representative characteristics of stem-like breast cancer cells, were determined by flow cytometry. The mammosphere formation assay was performed to assess self-renewal capacities of breast cancer cells. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity of MCF-7 mammospheres was measured by the ALDEFLUOR assay. The expression levels of Sox-2, Bmi-1, and P-Akt and the nuclear localization of hypoxia inducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ in MCF-7 mammospheres were verified by immunoblot analysis. Results: Both RGE and Rg3 decreased the viability of breast cancer cells and significantly reduced the populations of $CD44^{high}/CD24^{low}$ in MDA-MB-231 cells. RGE and Rg3 treatment attenuated the expression of Sox-2 and Bmi-1 by inhibiting the nuclear localization of hypoxia inducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ in MCF-7 mammospheres. Suppression of the manifestation of breast cancer stem cell-like properties by Rg3 was mediated through the blockade of Akt-mediated self-renewal signaling. Conclusion: This study suggests that Rg3 has a therapeutic potential targeting breast cancer stem cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.551-553
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• 1996

A genuine dammarane glycoside, named ginsenoside $Rg_{5}$, has been isolated by repeated column chromatography and preparative HPLC from the MeOH extract of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). The chemical structure of ginsenoside$ Rg_{5}$ was determined as $3-O-[{\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl (1{\rightarrow}2)-{\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl]$ dammar-20(22), $24-diene-3{\beta},12{\beta}-diol$ by spectral and chemical methods. The stereostructure of a double bond at C-20(22) of ginsenoside $Rg_{5}$ was characterized as (E) from the chemical shift of C-21 in the $^{13}C-NMR $and a NOESY experiment in the $^{1}H-NMR$.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.485-489
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• 2000

The patterns and contents of ginsenosides were examined in normal root parts and hairy root lines of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Ginsenoside-Rb$_1$, -Rb$_2$, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, -Rf, -Rg$_1$, -Rg$_2$ were detected in normal roots and hairy roots of ginseng. The patterns and contents of ginsenosides in that were very difference each other. The contents of total ginsenoside of hairy root (KGHR-1) was 17.42 mg/g dry wt, it's highest compared to others. Ginsenoside contents of hairy root (KGHR-1) was higher on ginsenoside-Rd, Rg$_1$, KGHR-5 was higher on ginsenoside-Rb$_1$, Rg$_1$, and KGHR-8 was higher on ginsenoside-Rd, Re than others. The contents of total ginsenosides on 6 years old ginseng cultured in the field were high in the order of main root, lateral root and fine roots, and content of ginsenosides in fine roots was 3.2 times higher than that in main root. The ratio of ginsenoside-Rg$_1$to total ginsenosides were about 3.43%, 8.68% and 14.18% respectively on fine root, lateral root and main root, it's very lower than that in hairy roots. It is suggested that specific ginsenosides can be produce in cultures of ginseng hairy roots.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.305-310
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• 2017

Twelve lactic acid bacteria harboring ${\alpha}$-rhamnosidase (EC 3.2.1.40) activity were isolated from traditional Korean foods. The 6 strains (Weissella confuse [n = 1], Lactobacillus pentosus [n = 1], and Lactobacillus plantarum [n = 4]) with the highest rhamnosidase activity were selected for bioconversion of an extract of wood-cultivated ginseng. The L. plantarum MBE/L2990 strain increased ginsenoside content (0.58 mg for Rg1 and 0.24 mg for Rg5) and showed higher bioconversion activity than the control strain L. plantarum KCTC21004 (56% and 42% increase for Rg1 and Rg5, respectively). L. plantarum MBE/L2990 was deposited at the Korean Collection for Type Cultures as Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC18529P.