Red Ginseng Powder Research Articles

벤조피렌을 투여한 생쥐의 간 조직에서의 홍삼분말의 항산화 효과

홍삼분말이 B(α)P의 투여에 의한 간 독성이 유발된 생쥐에서의 글루타치온 및 과산화지질 함량, 항산화효소 활성에 미치는 영향을 살펴보았다. B(α)P 투여에 의해 증가된 혈청내 ALT와 AST의 활성이 홍삼분말 전 처리군에서는 감소하였다. 간 조직중의 글루타치온 함량은 B(α)P 단독군에서는 감소되었다가 홍삼분말 투여시 유의적인 증가를 보였고, 지질과산화물 함량은 B(α)P 투여시 증가되었다가 홍삼분말의 투여시 유의적으로 감소되었다. 간 조직중의 SOD, catalase 그리고 GSH-Px의 활성도 B(α)P 투여로 유의적으로 증가되었다가, 홍삼분말의 투여로 이들 활성이 유의적으로 감소하였다. 반면, GST 활성은 B(α)P 단독군에서는 감소되었다가 홍삼분말 투여시 유의적인 증가를 보였다. 이상의 결과로 홍삼분말은 항산화효소의 활성에 의한 B(α)P에 의한 간 손상에 대한 보호효과를 가지는 것으로 사료된다.

Simultaneous quantification of 14 ginsenosides in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Korean red ginseng) by HPLC-ELSD and its application to quality control

A new method of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) was developed for the simultaneous quantification of 14 major ginsenosides, which are the marker compounds of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Korean red ginseng). Various types of ginseng samples were extracted, and the amounts of the 14 ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rh1, Rg2, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd, Rg3, Rk1, Rg5, and Rh2) were determined by reverse-phase HPLC-ELSD using digoxin as an internal standard. The mobile phase consisted of a programmed gradient of aqueous acetonitrile. Calibration curves for each ginsenoside were determined for the quantification. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, and limit of quantification. This quantification method was applied to several finished ginseng products including white ginseng, red ginseng powder, and red ginseng concentrate. The amounts of the 14 ginsenosides in the various ginseng samples could be analyzed simultaneously. This validated HPLC method is expected to provide a new basis for the quality assessment of ginseng products.

Effects of Red Ginseng on Interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐8 and IL‐10 in Postoperative Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Objective: Red ginseng has been used traditionally as a medicine in Eastern Asia. Many clinical studies indicate that red ginseng has various anti-carcinogenic action of inhibiting angiogenesis and proliferation of cancer, and increasing immune activity. In this study, We report gene expression of red ginseng extract on interleukin(IL)-2, 8 and 10 in patients with colorectal cancer during postoperative chemotherapy. Method: 50 advanced colorectal cancer patients and 20 healthy control were included. Among 50 cancer patients, 25 were treated with the red ginseng powder capsules (3g/day for three months) and 25 were not treated. We collected blood samples from subjects at 0, 1 and 3months, an d measured serum levels of IL-2, IL-8 and IL-10 by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result: Before operation, serum IL-2 level was lower in both ginseng and non-ginseng group, and serum IL-8 and IL-10 levels were higher in both the ginseng and non-ginseng group compared to healthy control. At 1 and 3 months after operation, serum IL-2 level was increased in ginseng group, and IL-8 and IL-10 levels were decreased in ginseng group compared to non-ginseng group, significantly (p<0.001). Serum IL-8 and IL-10 concentration was higher in both ginseng and non-ginseng group compared to control group. Conclusion: Thus, these results suggest that intake of red ginseng after surgery may have potential to improve anti-cancer immunity with repairing IL-2 and reducing IL-8 and IL-10 from the decreased IL-2 and increased IL-8 and IL-10 by colorectal cancer during postoperative chemotherapy.

Identification of anxiolytic ingredients in ginseng root using the elevated plus-maze test in mice

Ginseng root has been widely used for the management of anxiety and emotional instability, but there is little experimental evidence supporting these clinical applications. We pharmacologically identified the anxiolytic components in ginseng root, using the elevated plus-maze test. Male ICR albino mice and the following drugs were used: diazepam (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg, p.o.); red ginseng powder (300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg, p.o.); crude saponin and non-saponin ginseng fractions (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p., for each preparation); and pure ginsenoside Rb 1, Rg 1, and Ro (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p., for each preparation). Ginseng powder and crude saponin ginseng fraction significantly increased the frequency and duration of open arm entries. Among the three types of pure ginsenoside, only ginsenoside Rb 1 significantly increased both the frequency and duration of open arm entries. Our results clearly indicate that ginsenoside Rb 1 is one of the active anxiolytic components of ginseng root.

Effect of Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast, a Dried Yeast Containing Biogermanium, on the Production of Antibodies by B Cells

Germanium compounds are increased to use in nutrient foods and medicines in terms of antibiotics to microbes, anticancer, modulation of immune system and neutralizing heavy metal toxins. Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast, containing stable organic germanium and bound to the yeast protein was developed by Geranti Pharm. LTD. and the modulation effect in the immune system was examined in vivo and in vitro. Methods: The compound, Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast, was fed to female Balb/c mice (each group has 10 mice) for 4 weeks and the yeast powder and steamed red ginseng powder were used as control during the same feeding time points. During 4 weeks there was no symptom to be considered, and after 4 weeks feeding all mice were sacrificed to check the changes of related immune cells and subsidiary responses (i.e. cell counting, FACS, MTT, LDH, PFC assay). Results: In pre-post comparison, B cell population was increased in the group of Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast in a dose dependent manner (100 to 800 mg/kg). However, the population of T cell, dendritic cell and macrophage was not comparably changed in all doses. The ability of cytokine production and proliferation was almost same level as shown in control group. In contrast, PFC assay informed that the compound increase the antibody production ability when fed over 200 mg/kg implying that the increase of PFC number might be due to the increase of B cells. Conclusion: Over the entire study, we concluded that the compound, Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast has better potential in immune response in terms of B cell proliferation than that of positive control, red ginseng, and the compound can be one of the future candidates for a new supplementary source improving immune system activity.

홍삼 물추출물이 Trypsin 활성에 미치는 영향

홍삼 물 추출물이 효소활성에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 먼저 홍삼분말에 methyl alcohol을 가하여 지용성 성분과 사포닌 성분을 추출하여 제거하였다. 그 잔사에 정제수를 가하여 추출한 뒤 추출물을 제조하였고, 투석막을 이용하여 분자량 크기별로 분획한 뒤 trypsin의 활성에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 몇 가지 분획 중에서 분자량 1,000∼12,000 사이의 분획이 trypsin 활성을 가장 강하게 증가시켰다. 분자량 1,000∼12,000 사이의 분획을 여러 가지 농도별로 첨가하여 trypsin 활성에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과 2.9<TEX>${\times}$</TEX><TEX>$10^{-3}$</TEX>%에서 15% 정도 촉진되었으며, 농도가 높아질수록 trypsin 활성도 증가하여 9<TEX>${\times}$</TEX><TEX>$10^{-2}$</TEX>%에서 최고의 활성을 보이다가 그 이상의 농도에서는 감소하였다. Trypsin의 casein 분해에 있어서 물 추출물은 Km 값을 낮게하고 Vmax 값은 증가기켰다. 물 추출물을 부분 정제하여 몇 가지 특성을 조사한 겨로가 ninhydrin, DNS 및 Folin시약에 양성반응을 나타내는 것으로 보아 함질소 화합물이라고 판단된다. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of red ginseng water extract (RGWE) on trypsin activity. After extraction of fat soluble and saponin component from red ginseng powder by methyl alcohol, the residue was extracted with distilled water, and manufactured to water extract. The extract was dialyzed with different molecular cut off membrane. Trypsin activity demonstrated the highest level at the RGWE concentration of 9<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>10<TEX>$\^$</TEX>-2/% in reaction mixture, and also increased to 15% at 2.9<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>10<TEX>$\^$</TEX>-3/%. Km value was decreased and Vmax was increased in the present of red ginseng water extract. Red ginseng water extract was partially purified by dialysis, Bio-Gel P-I0 and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The active fraction demonstrated positive reaction to ninhydrin, DNS and folin reaction.

홍삼복용이 노인들의 유산소 운동시 발생된 활성산소에 미치는 영향

노인들의 고강도 유산소운동시 많은 산소요구량에 의하여 산화적인 스트레스가 증가하고, 결과적으로 함께 발생되는 활성산소는 MDA수준을 증가시킨다. 이렇게 노인들의 강도 높은 운동 중에 발생되는 활성산소에 홍삼복용이 어떠한 영향을 미치는 지를 알아보기 위하여 젊은이들과 비교하여 연구하였다. 노인들은 젊은이들과 함께 홍삼복용 전 후에 걸쳐 안정시, 운동직 후, 그리고 회복기 30분의 MDA수준이 유의하게 낮아진 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 홍삼복용은 젊은이들뿐만 아니라 노인들의 축적된 과산화지질을 제거하거나 과산화지질의 생성을 억제하는 항산화 효과가 있음을 시사한다. This study was performed to investigate the effect of 12 weeks red-ginseng intaking on MDA(malondialdehyde) produced during aerobic exercise in the young and elderly women. Sixteen volunteers agreed to participate and were placed in 2 groups: in the young(20-25 yrs), red-ginseng intake group(n=8), in the elderly(60-69 yrs), red-ginseng intaking group(n=8). The subjects who joined this study were asked to take 2.7g of red-ginseng powder capsule per day before the meal for 12 weeks(3 times/day). MDA(from blood samples) were collected at rest, just after the submaximal exercise, and 30 minutes after the exercise(cycle ergometer riding) at the beginning and the end of the 12-weeks program. After 12 weeks of red-ginseng intaking, young and elderly groups showed the decreased MDA significantly at rest(41.57%, 28.59%), just after the exercise(45.96%, 40.74%). and 30 minutes after the exercise(37.37%, 32.68%). These results indicate that red-ginseng intaking, as an antioxidant, may be useful for removing MDA produced during aerobic exercise in the elderly.

분쇄방법에 따른 고려홍삼분말의 품질특성

홍삼 분쇄의 신 가공 기술로서 비충격 분쇄방식인 cell cracker의 공장 적용 가능성을 제시하고 홍삼분말의 품질고급화에 기초자료로 활용하고자, 기존의 hammer mill(충격 분쇄방식)과 cell cracker에 의한 분쇄방식으로 홍삼분말을 제조한 후 물성, 표면구조적 특성 및 관능적 특성을 측정하였다. 입도분석에서 sieve shaker로 분석한 결과, 100 mesh 이상은 모두 95%수준으로 비슷한 분포를 나타냈고 120 mesh 이상은 hammer mill로 분쇄한 홍삼분말이 높았으며 그 밖의 각 mesh 별 입도분포는 큰 차이를 나타내지 않았다. Laser scattering analyzer로 분석한 결과 hammer mill로 분쇄한 홍삼분말의 입도분포는 최소 0.77 μm에서 최대 128.07 μm으로, cell cracker로 분쇄한 홍삼분말 4.24~180.07 μm보다 분포가 넓었으며, 평균 입자 크기는 cell cracker로 분쇄한 홍삼분말이 크고 표준편차는 hammer mill로 분쇄한 홍삼분말이 크게 나타났다. 비표면적은 hammer mill로 분쇄한 홍삼분말이 1.42 ㎡/g로 cell cracker로 분쇄한 홍삼분말 0.59 ㎡/g보다 높게 나타났고, 표면구조적 특성은 hammer mill로 분쇄한 홍삼분말은 크고 작은 입자가 불균일하게 분포하고 있으며, 개별입자의 형태는 부등형의 거칠게 연마된 돌 모양에 가깝고 표면은 작고 부드러운 솜털모양을 하고 있는 반면에, cell cracker로 분쇄한 홍삼분말은 입자크기가 상대적으로 고르게 분포하고 있으며 개별입자의 형태는 부등형의 조각난 돌 모양의 형태로 관찰되었다.

분쇄방법에 따른 고려홍삼분말의 이화학적 특성

홍삼 분쇄의 신 가공 기술로서 비충격 분쇄방식인 cell cracker의 공장 적용 가능성을 제시하고 홍삼분말의 품질고급화에 기초자료로 활용하고자 기존의 충격 분쇄방식인 hammer mill과 cell cracker에 의한 분쇄방식으로 홍삼분말을 제조한 후 이화학적 특성을 조사한 결과, 수분함량의 경우 hammer mill로 분쇄한 홍삼분말은 3.16%로 cell cracker로 분쇄한 홍삼분말 6.30%보다 현저하게 낮게 나타나 현행 식품 공전에서는 홍삼분말의 수분함량을 8%이하로 규정하고 있어 cell cracker에 의한 분쇄가 수율제고라는 측면에서는 보다 경제적인 분쇄방법으로 판단된다. 그 외 cell cracker로 분쇄한 경우 조단백질, 총당, 산성다당체가 약간 높게 나타났으나 큰차는 없었으며, 조지방, 환원당, 조섬유, 회분함량은 hammer mill로 분쇄했을 시 약간 높게 나타났으나 큰 차이는 없었다. 총 지방산 함량을 비교해볼 때 hammer mill로 분쇄한 시료는 87.90%이고 cell cracker로 분쇄한 시료는 87.50%로 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 총 아미노산 함량을 조사한 결과 hammer mill로 분쇄한 시료는 670.96 ㎎%이고 cell cracker로 분쇄한 시료는 676.50 ㎎%이었으며, 필수아미노산의 경우도 각각 212.25 ㎎%와 206.25 ㎎%로 조사되어 거의 차이를 나타내지 않았다. Total ginsenosides 경우 hammer mill로 분쇄한 시료는 1.263%였으나 cell cracker로 분쇄한 시료는 1.311%로 약간 높게 나타났다. 그 외에 유리당 및 무기성분 등에서도 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다.

고지방급여 흰쥐의 혈청과 간의 지질 농도 및 조직 과산화지질 농도에 미치는 홍삼분말의 영향

고지방급여 흰쥐의 혈청과 간의 지질 농도 및 조직 과산화지질 농도에 미치는 홍삼분말의 영향

Effects of red ginseng upon postoperative immunity and survival in patients with stage III gastric cancer.

In this paper, we present evidence that the red ginseng powder from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer inhibits the recurrence of AJCC stage III gastric cancer and shows immunomodulatory activities during postoperative chemotherapy, after a curative resection with D2 lymph node dissection. Flow cytometric analyses for peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets showed that the red ginseng powder restored CD4 levels to the initial preoperative values during postoperative chemotherapy. Depression of CD3 during postoperative chemotherapy was also inhibited by the red ginseng powder ingestion. This study demonstrated a five-year disease free survival and overall survival rate that was significantly higher in patients taking the red ginseng powder during postoperative chemotherapy versus control (68.2% versus 33.3%, 76.4% versus 38.5%, respectively, p < 0.05). In spite of the limitation of a small number of patients (n = 42), these findings suggest that red ginseng powder may help to improve postoperative survival in these patients. Additionally, red ginseng powder may have some immunomodulatory properties associated with CD3 and CD4 activity in patients with advanced gastric cancer during postoperative chemotherapy.

Colon cancer chemoprevention with ginseng and other botanicals.

Colorectal cancer is becoming increasingly common in Asian countries and still remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Efforts to prevent colon cancer have targeted early detection through screening and chemoprevention. For the last ten years our laboratory has utilized an in vivo screening assay for the testing of potential cancer preventives for colon cancer. We have conducted investigations on over 150 compounds including many with botanical or herbal origins. As part of our program on natural products we have examined a number of herbal and botanical products in the aberrant crypt foci (ACF) assay including Korean red ginseng powder, green tea catechins, curcumin from the Indian culinary spice, tumeric, compounds from garlic and onion, resveratrol from red grapes, among others. In the ginseng experiments groups of 10 F344 rats were fed ginseng powder at a dose of 0.5 g/kg or 2 mg/kg for 5 weeks. During weeks 2 and 3 rats were injected with 10 mg/kg azoxymethane to induce ACF. Controls (n=10) did not receive azoxymethane (AOM). Rats were killed by CO2 overdose and ACF counted in the rat colon. In 8 week post-initiation experiments ginseng powder inhibited the progression of established ACF, indicating a cytostatic effect. This may be due to an anti-inflammatory effect. There is a body of literature that suggests that compounds in wine, tumeric, and tea inhibit cyclooxygenases, thus reducing prostaglandin-mediated effects on the colon. As colon tumors have been shown to highly express COX-2 protein, and given, that many NSAID drugs also suppress COX-1, it is tempting to speculate that herbal products that inhibit one or both forms of the COX enzyme will be effective agents for the prevention of cancer in man.

Comparative effects of gamma irradiation and ozone treatment on hygienic quality of Korean red ginseng powder

For the purpose of improving hygienic quality of Korean red ginseng powder, the comparative effects of gamma irradiation and ozone treatment on the microbial and physicochemical properties were investigated. Gamma irradiation at 7.5 kGy resulted in sterilization of total aerobic bacteria, molds and coliforms below detective levels, while ozone treatment for 8 hours up to 18 ppm did not sufficiently eliminate the microorganisms of the red ginseng powder. Physicochemical properties including compositions of the red ginseng saponin (ginsenosides) and fatty acids, pH and hydrogen doanting activity were not significantly changed by gamma irradiation, whereas, ozone treatment caused significant changes in fatty acid compositions, TBA value, pH, acidity and hydrogen donating activity. The results from this study led us to conclude that gamma irradiation was more effective than ozone treatment both for the improvement of hygienic quality and for the maintenance of physicochemical quality of red ginseng powder.

Ginsenoside Rb1 prevents image navigation disability, cortical infarction, and thalamic degeneration in rats with focal cerebral ischemia

Oral administration of red ginseng powder before but not after transient forebrain ischemia prevents delayed neuronal death in gerbils. One neuroprotective molecule within red ginseng powder is ginsenoside Rb(1). The mechanism of action(s) of ginsenoside Rb(1) remains to be determined. We performed intracerebroventricular infusion of 0.6 microg/d ginsenoside Rb(1) before or after permanent occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery in stroke-prone spontaneous hypertensive rats. Ginsenoside Rb(1) significantly decreased escape latency on repeated trials of the Morris water maze test, throughout the first to fourth trial days at 2 and 4 weeks after MCA occlusion (P<.05, P<.01 or P<.001). The ratio of the infarcted area to the left hemispheric area in the groups treated with 0.6 microg/d of ginsenoside Rb(1) was significantly smaller than that in the saline-treated ischemic group (P<.05 or P<.001). The continuous infusion of ginsenoside Rb(1) (0.06 microg/d) was less effective and the other doses examined were ineffective in ameliorating ischemia-induced image navigation disability and reducing cortical infarct size. There were significant differences in neuron numbers in the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus and in the left-to-right ratio of the thalamic area between the saline-infused ischemic group and the ginsenoside Rb(1)-treated ischemic group (P<.05 or P<.01). Moreover, ginsenoside Rb(1) at concentrations of 0.1 to 100 fg/mL (0.09 to 90 fM), facilitated neurite extension and rescued cortical neurons from lethal damage caused by the free radical-promoting agent FeSO(4), in vitro (P<.05 or P<.01). These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rb(1) protects the cerebral cortex against lethal ischemic damage possibly by acting as a neurotrophic factor-like agent and by scavenging free radicals, which are overproduced in situ during and after brain ischemia. The final link between the in vivo neuroprotective action and the in vitro neurotrophic and antioxidant activities of ginsenoside Rb(1) remains to be determined.

Preventive effects of various ginseng saponins on the development of copulatory disorder induced by prolonged individual housing in male mice.

Recently, we found that virtually all male mice failed to display copulatory behavior following prolonged individual housing. The present study was conducted to investigate whether or not ginseng saponin components prevent the development of this copulatory disorder. ICR male mice were housed individually for 5 weeks after weaning, followed by a 10-min encounter with an estrous female mouse. The following constituents of red ginseng powder were administered intraperitoneally once per day throughout the individual housing period: crude ginseng saponins and pure ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rg1, and Ro. Three elements of copulatory behavior (mounting, intromission and penis licking) were determined. Following prolonged individual housing only one mouse in the vehicle-treated group displayed mounting. Chronic treatment with crude ginseng saponins (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly lessened the severity of copulatory disorder in a dose-dependent manner. Ginsenoside Rg1 (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) also resulted in a significantly higher incidence of copulatory behavior as compared to the individually housed vehicle-treated group, whereas ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2 and Ro were ineffective. This evidence indicates that ginsenoside Rg1 is one of the ingredients of red ginseng root that acts on male copulatory behavior.

Protection of ischemic hippocampal neurons by ginsenoside Rb 1, a main ingredient of ginseng root

Our previous study showed that the oral administration of red ginseng powder before but not after transient forebrain ischemia prevented delayed neuronal death in gerbils, and that a neuroprotective molecule within red ginseng powder was ginsenoside Rb 1. However, it remains to be clarified whether or not ginsenoside Rb 1 acts directly on the ischemic brain, and the mechanism by which ginsenoside Rb 1 protects the ischemic CA1 neurons is not determined. Without elucidation of the pharmacological property of ginsenoside Rb 1, the drug would not be accepted as a neuroprotective agent. The present study demonstrated that the intracerebroventricular infusion of ginsenoside Rb 1 after 3.5 min or 3 min forebrain ischemia, precluded significantly the ischemia-induced shortening of response latency in a step-down passive avoidance task and rescued a significant number of hippocampal CA1 neurons from lethal ischemic damage. The intracerebroventricular infusion of ginsenoside Rb 1 did not affect hippocampal blood flow or hippocampal temperature except that it caused a slight increase in hippocampal blood flow at 5 min after transient forebrain ischemia. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rb 1 at concentrations of 0.1–100 fg/ml (0.09–90 fM) rescued hippocampal neurons from lethal damage caused by the hydroxyl radical-promoting agent FeSO 4 in vitro, and the Fenton reaction system containing p-nitrosodimethylaniline confirmed the hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity of ginsenoside Rb 1. These findings suggest that the central infusion of ginsenoside Rb 1 after forebrain ischemia protects hippocampal CA1 neurons against lethal ischemic damage possibly by scavenging free radicals which are overproduced in situ after brain ischemia and reperfusion. The present study may validate the empirical usage of ginseng root over thousands of years for the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases.

Effects of gamma irradiation on physicochemical properties of Korean red ginseng powder

Gamma irradiation was applied to Korean red ginseng powder to improve its quality. Major physicochemical properties (approximate composition, pH, acidity, browning pigment, hydrogen donating activity, fatty acids, minerals and saponin) were not significantly changed by gamma irradiation up to 10 kGy. The TBA value was increased depending on the increment of irradiation dose level. In free amino acids, threonine was increased while, serine and glutamic acid were decreased by gamma irradiation. In total amino acids, total contents were not significantly changed by gamma irradiation though tyrosine was slightly decreased P ⩽ 0.05. In free sugar, glucose, sucrose and maltose were significantly increased by 7.5 and 10 kGy gamma irradiation P ⩽ 0.05

Ginseng root prevents learning disability and neuronal loss in gerbils with 5-minute forebrain ischemia.

The present study was designed to investigate the possible neuroprotective activity of ginseng roots in 5-min ischemic gerbils using a step-down passive avoidance task and subsequent neuron and synapse counts in the hippocampal CA1 region. The following drugs were administered for 7 days before the induced ischemia: red ginseng powder (RGP), crude ginseng saponin (CGS), crude ginseng non-saponin (CGNS), and pure ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1 and Ro. Oral administration of RGP significantly prevented the ischemia-induced decrease in response latency, as determined by the passive avoidance test, and rescued a significant number of ischemic hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in a dose-dependent manner. Intraperitoneal injections of CGS exhibited a similar neuroprotective effect. CGNS had a significant but less potent protective effect against impaired passive avoidance task and degeneration of hippocampal CA1 neurons. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly prolonged the response latency of ischemic gerbils and rescued a significant number of ischemic CA1 pyramidal neurons, whereas ginsenosides Rg1 and Ro were ineffective. Postischemic treatment with RGP, CGS or ginsenoside Rb1 was ineffective. The neuroprotective activities of RGP, CGS and ginsenoside Rb1 were confirmed by electron microscopy counts of synapses in individual strata of the CA1 field of ischemic gerbils pretreated with the drugs. These findings suggest that RGP and CGS are effective in the prevention of delayed neuronal death, and that ginsenoside Rb1 is one of the neuroprotective molecules within ginseng root.

Studies on Insulin-Like Substances in Korean Red Ginseng

Korean red ginseng powder was found to contain adenosine and an acidic substance which inhibited epinephrine-induced lipolysis and stimulated insulin-mediated lipogenesis from glucose (3, 4). In the present experiment, the chemical structure of this acidic substance is determined to be pyro-glutamic acid. Pyroglutamic acid exhibits selective modulations toward the opposite metabolic pathways in rat adipocytes; it inhibits the lipolysis but rather stimulates the lipogenesis. Based on these results, we suggest to call these substances (adenosine and pyro-glutamic acid) "selective modulators".

Cytotoxic activity of polyacetylene compounds in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer.

The effects of the three polyacetylene compounds, panaxynol, panaxydol and panaxytriol, on in vitro-cell growth were studied. These compounds are much different in their water-solubility. In order to increase water-solubility, solid complexes of polyacetylene compounds with alpha-cyclodextrin (CD) were prepared. Accurate concentrations of the active compounds in a culture medium were determined by gas chromatography. All of these CD-complexes inhibited the growth of various kinds of cultured cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion. The cell growth inhibitory activity of these complexes was much stronger against malignant cells than against normal cells. A continuous contact between the compounds and target cells was not necessarily required for growth inhibition. And the inhibition was cytotoxic at high concentrations and cytostatic at low concentrations. These findings indicate that these polyacetylene compounds' mode of action is more dose-dependent than time-dependent. The panaxynol, panaxydol and panaxytriol contents in red ginseng powder were 250, 297 and 320 micrograms/g, respectively.