Ginseng Root Research Articles

Morphometric analysis of fatty liver with the treatment of ginseng root extract

Background: Metabolic syndrome is the challenge of this era; diseases are initiated with the abnormal functioning liver. This study aims to evaluate the effects of HFD on liver anatomy and to study the morphological changes with its histological findings
 Methodology: 50 male albino rats were acclimatized in the animal house of DUHS, divided into 5 groups (GP). GP 1 was on a standard diet for 6 weeks, GP 2 was on HFD for 6 weeks, GP 3, GP 4, and GP 5 were on HFD for 6 weeks. They were treated with ginseng root extract in doses of 100mg/ml, 200mg/ml and 400 mg/ml for 6 weeks. After 12 weeks, GP3, GP4, and GP 5 were dissected, and the liver was isolated for histology and micrometry. Blood was drawn and sent for LFT to correlate morphological changes with enzymes. 
 Results: Rats on a high-fat diet developed fatty liver with altered LFT. The treated group showed a reversal of changes in morphology and LFT in a dose-dependent manner.
 Conclusion: The morphometric analysis revealed that fatty accumulation in liver cells deranges the liver function leading to metabolic syndrome. Ginseng root extract helps in depleting fatty accumulation in the liver.

Ginsenosides and Biotic Stress Responses of Ginseng.

Ginsenosides are saponins that possess a sugar moiety attached to a hydrophobic aglycone triterpenoid. They have been widely studied for their various medicinal benefits, such as their neuroprotective and anti-cancer activities, but their role in the biology of ginseng plants has been much less widely documented. In the wild, ginsengs are slow-growing perennials with roots that can survive for approximately 30 years; thus, they need to defend themselves against many potential biotic stresses over many decades. Biotic stresses would be a major natural selection pressure and may at least partially explain why ginseng roots expend considerable resources in order to accumulate relatively large amounts of ginsenosides. Ginsenosides may provide ginseng with antimicrobial activity against pathogens, antifeedant activity against insects and other herbivores, and allelopathic activity against other plants. In addition, the interaction of ginseng with pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms and their elicitors may trigger increases in different root ginsenosides and associated gene expression, although some pathogens may be able to suppress this behavior. While not covered in this review, ginsenosides also have roles in ginseng development and abiotic stress tolerance. This review shows that there is considerable evidence supporting ginsenosides as important elements of ginseng's defense against a variety of biotic stresses.

Isolasi dan Karakterisasi Mikroorganisme Endofit Akar Ginseng Jawa (Talinum paniculatum Gaertn.) Yang Diberi Perlakuan Perbedaan Ketersedian Air

A medicinal plant known as Java ginseng (Talinum paniculatum Gaertn.) may thrive in a variety of water availability situations. The quantity of endophytic bacteria a plant contains affects its capacity to survive in stressful environments. The objective of this study was to identify and separate endophytic bacteria from Javanese ginseng roots that had undergone various water availability treatments. A description method was utilized, in which isolated isolates were given morphological descriptions, assessed for similarity indexes, and then categorized. Endophytic microbe abundance and diversity varied according to this study, but plants treated with water scarcity displayed higher abundance and diversity. While endophytes of plant origin treated with 60% field capacity (FC) had the maximum diversity, root samples treated with 80% (FC) had the highest microbial abundance. Ten species groupings were created from the 42 isolated isolates based on a coefficient value of > 70%.

Characterization of Limosilactobacillus reuteri KGC1901 Newly Isolated from Panax ginseng Root as a Probiotic and Its Safety Assessment

In this study, we determined the probiotic properties and safety of Limosilactobacillus reuteri KGC1901 isolated from Korean Panax ginseng root. This strain was identified based on its 16s rRNA sequence, and the absence of genes related to antibiotic resistance and virulence was confirmed through whole genome analysis in terms of safety. Moreover, this strain had no antibiotic resistance to eight antibiotics as proposed by the European Food Safety Authority, did not show hemolytic activity on blood agar, and did not produce biogenic amines. L. reuteri KGC1901 also showed the capability to survive at low pH and in presence of bile salts and sufficiently adhered to HT-29 cells and mucin. The adhesion ability to HT-29 was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. These results indicated the excellent viability of L. reuteri KGC1901 in the human gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, L. reuteri KGC1901 had antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile, and the presence of the reuterin (3-HPA) biosynthetic gene cluster in the genome was revealed. Furthermore, the cell-free supernatant of KGC1901 had DPPH scavenging activity and reduced the nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Based on these results, it was confirmed that L. reuteri KGC1901 derived from ginseng has sufficient potential to be used as a probiotic.

Characterization of Ginsenosides from the Root of Panax ginseng by Integrating Untargeted Metabolites Using UPLC-Triple TOF-MS

To compare the chemical distinctions of Panax ginseng Meyer in different growth environments and explore the effects of growth-environment factors on P. ginseng growth, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS) was used to characterize the ginsenosides obtained by ultrasonic extraction from P. ginseng grown in different growing environments. Sixty-three ginsenosides were used as reference standards for accurate qualitative analysis. Cluster analysis was used to analyze the differences in main components and clarified the influence of growth environment factors on P. ginseng compounds. A total of 312 ginsenosides were identified in four types of P. ginseng, among which 75 were potential new ginsenosides. The number of ginsenosides in L15 was the highest, and the number of ginsenosides in the other three groups was similar, but it was a great difference in specie of ginsenosides. The study confirmed that different growing environments had a great influence on the constituents of P. ginseng, and provided a new breakthrough for the further study of the potential compounds in P. ginseng.

Potential Protective Effect of Panax ginseng (roots) against Minerals and Lipid Profile Changes in Adult Male Rabbits administered with Stannous Chloride

Potential Protective Effect of Panax ginseng (roots) against Minerals and Lipid Profile Changes in Adult Male Rabbits administered with Stannous Chloride

Maltol inhibits oxygen glucose deprivation‑induced chromatinolysis in SH‑SY5Y cells by maintaining pyruvate level.

Maltol, a chemical isolated from ginseng root, has shown treatment effects on several pathological processes including osteoarthritis, diabetic peripheral neuropathy and liver fibrosis. Nevertheless, its effect on ischemia‑induced neuron death remains elusive. In the present study, the treatment effect of maltol on ischemia‑induced neuron damage was investigated by using oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) model in SH‑SY5Y cells. Invitro studies revealed that maltol protected SH‑SY5Y cells against OGD‑induced chromatinolysis by inhibiting two reactive oxygen species (ROS)‑regulated pathways. One was DNA double‑strand breaks and the other was nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor. Mechanistically, maltol not only inhibited OGD‑induced depletion of glutathione and cysteine by maintaining cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT) level, but also abrogated OGD‑induced catalase downregulation. Meanwhile, maltol also alleviated OGD‑induced inactivation of mTOR by attenuating OGD‑induced depletion of adenosine triphosphate and pyruvate and downregulation of pyruvate kinase M2, indicating that maltol inhibited the glycolysis dysfunction caused by OGD. Considering that activated mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) could lead to enhanced xCT expression and decreased catalase degradation by autophagy, these findings indicated that maltol attenuated OGD‑induced ROS via inhibition of mTOR inactivation by maintaining pyruvate level. Taken together, it was demonstrated that maltol prevented OGD‑induced chromatinolysis in SH‑SY5Y cells via inhibiting pyruvate depletion.

Effect of Ginseng Sapogenin Protopanaxadiol-Enriched Rice (DJ-PPD) on Immunomodulation

Protopanaxadiol (PPD), a gut microbiome-induced ginseng metabolite, has positive immune effects. We previously reported the immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects of PPD-enricshed rice seed extracts in normal and inflammatory cell environments, respectively. In the present study, the immunomodulatory activity of PPD-enriched transgenic rice seed extract (DJ-PPD), which exhibited the highest immune-related activity among all available extracts, was compared with that of commercially synthesized 20s-PPD (S-PPD) and natural ginseng root extract (GE), in RAW264.7 cells. Compared with S-PPD and GE treatment, DJ-PPD treatment (i) significantly promoted NF-κB p65 and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) phosphorylation; (ii) upregulated IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, TLR-4, and TNF-α expression; (iii) and increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. However, there were no significant differences in the effects of the three treatments containing PPD-type sapogenin or saponins on nitric oxide (NO) production and phagocytic activity. In the inflammatory cell environment, DJ-PPD treatment markedly decreased the production of LPS-induced inflammatory factors, including NO and PGE2, as well as proinflammatory cytokine expression, by decreasing phosphorylated (p-)NF-κB p65, p-p38 MAPK, and p-JNK levels. Thus, DJ-PPD that does not require complex intestinal microbial processes to exert higher anti-inflammatory effects compared with S-PPD and GE. However, DJ-PPD exerted similar or higher immune-boosting effects (depending on inflammatory biomarkers) than S-PPD and GE. These findings indicate the potential of PPD-enriched transgenic rice as an alternative immunomodulatory agent.

FoRSR1 Is Important for Conidiation, Fusaric Acid Production, and Pathogenicity in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ginseng.

The root rot disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ginseng is one of the most destructive diseases of ginseng, an economically important herb. However, little is known about the pathogen's toxin biosynthesis or the molecular mechanisms regulating infection of ginseng. In this study we identified and functionally characterized the FoRSR1 gene that encodes a Ras-related (RSR) small GTPase homologous to yeast Rsr1 in F. oxysporum f. sp. ginseng. Disruption of FoRSR1 resulted in a significant reduction in mycelial dry weight in liquid cultures, although vegetative growth rate was not affected on culture plates. Notably, the Forsr1 mutant exhibited blunted and swollen hyphae with multi-nucleated compartments. It produced fewer and morphologically abnormal conidia and was defective in chlamydospore formation. In infection assays with ginseng roots, the Forsr1 mutant was significantly less virulent and caused only limited necrosis at the wounding sites. Deletion of FoRSR1 also affected pigmentation, autophagy, and production of fusaric acid. Furthermore, the expression of many candidate genes involved in secondary metabolism was significantly downregulated in the mutant, suggesting that FoRSR1 is also important for secondary metabolism. Overall, our results indicated that FoRSR1 plays important roles in conidiation, vacuolar morphology, secondary metabolism, and pathogenesis in F. oxysporum f. sp. ginseng.

In-vitro evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of sulphation-modified total ginsenosides derivative-3.

Ginseng has been used in biomedicine to prevent and treat decreased physical and mental capacities. Total ginsenosides (TG) from ginseng root which have antitumor and immune-enhancing properties, are the principal active components of Panax ginseng, while the sulphation-modified TG derivative-3 (SMTG-d3) was expected to enhance the anticancer activity in conventional medicinal treatments. The chlorosulphonic acid-pyridine technique, used for the sulfation modification of TG to improve their biological activity, and the infrared spectroscopic characteristics of TG and SMTG-d3 were investigated, and the effects of SMTG-d3 on immunocytes and cytokines relevant to tumor treatment were assessed. The MTT assay was used to assess the effect of TG and SMTG-d3 on the cytotoxicity and T-lymphocytic proliferation against mouse splenocytes. The LDH method was employed to evaluate NK activity induced by TG or SMTG-d3. The production levels of splenocytes-secreted IL-2 and IFN-γ and peritoneal macrophages-secreted TNF-α were determined using mouse ELISA kits. It showed that the ideal conditions for the sulfation modification of TG: the volume ratio of chlorosulfonic acid to pyridine lower than 1:2.5; controlled amount of chlorosulfonic acid; and a yield of 51.5% SMTG-d3 (2 h, < 45°C). SMTG-d3 showed two characteristic absorption peaks at 1,230 cm-1 and 810 cm-1, indicating the formation of sulfuric acid esters and the presence of sulfuric acid groups. SMTG-d3 exhibited higher antitumor immunological activity than TG by promoting the proliferation of T lymphocytes and the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α, thus enhancing NK cell activity, and reducing cytotoxicity. The findings imply sulfated modification represents an effective method of enhancing the immunomodulatory activities of TG and could be used as the basis for developing new drug target compounds; SMTG-d3 can serve as an antitumor immunomodulator and can be considered an effective and prospective herbal formulation in clinical applications.

Panax ginseng improves physical recovery and energy utilization on chronic fatigue in rats through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway

Context Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) is a tonic herb used in ancient Asia. Objective This study investigated the antifatigue effect of P. ginseng on chronic fatigue rats. Materials and methods Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, model and EEP (ethanol extraction of P. ginseng roots) (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) groups (n = 8). The rats were subcutaneously handled with loaded swimming once daily for 26 days, except for the control group. The animals were intragastrically treated with EEP from the 15th day. On day 30, serum, liver and muscles were collected, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway was evaluated. Results The swimming times to exhaust of the rats with EEP were significantly longer than that without it. EEP spared the amount of muscle glycogen, hepatic glycogen and blood sugar under the chronic state. In addition, EEP significantly (p < 0.05) decreased serum triglycerides (1.24 ± 0.17, 1.29 ± 0.04 and 1.20 ± 0.21 vs. 1.58 ± 0.13 mmol/L) and total cholesterol (1.64 ± 0.36, 1.70 ± 0.15 and 1.41 ± 0.19 vs. 2.22 ± 0.19 mmol/L) compared to the model group. Regarding the regulation of energy, EEP had a positive impact on promoting ATPase activities and relative protein expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Conclusions Our results suggested that EEP effectively relieved chronic fatigue, providing evidence that P. ginseng could be a potential dietary supplement to accelerate recovery from fatigue.

Comparison of two methods for ginsenosides quantitation.

The present study provides a comparison of two liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for ginsenosides analysis. The two methods have the same liquid chromatography separation procedure, and both use tandem mass spectrometry detection. However, one method uses multiple reaction monitoring transitions commonly recommended in the literature starting with [M + Na]+ as the molecular ions and with detection of specific fragment ions from the molecules M, while the other is an original method using [M + Cs]+ as molecular ions and Cs+ as fragment ion. The method using [M + Cs]+ as molecular ion has a very high sensitivity allowing the measurement of concentrations in the injecting solutions as low as 4ng/ml with peaks at this concentration showing signal to noise ratio of 20 or higher. The procedures were utilized for the measurement of eight ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf (S), Rg1, and Rg2), although the method using [M + Cs]+ has the potential for measuring other ginsenosides. As an application, the ginsenosides were measured in several types of ginseng root, several dietary supplements containing ginseng extracts, four energy drinks, and a sample of ashwagandha.

Hydroponic Ginseng ROOT Mediated with CMC Polymer-Coated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Cellular Apoptosis via Downregulation of BCL-2 Gene Expression in A549 Lung Cancer Cell Line

The unique and tailorable physicochemical features of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) synthesized from green sources make them attractive for use in cancer treatment. Hydroponic-cultured ginseng-root-synthesized ZnO-NPs (HGRCm-ZnO NPs) were coated with O-carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) polymer, which stabilized and enhanced the biological efficacy of the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The flower-shaped nanoparticles were crystalline in nature with a particle size of 28 nm. To evaluate if these NPs had anti-lung cancer activity, analysis was performed on a human lung carcinoma cell line (A549). HGRCm-ZnO nanoparticles showed less toxicity to normal keratinocytes (HaCaTs), at concentrations up to 20 µg/mL, than A549 cancer cells. Additionally, these NPs showed dose-dependent colony formation and cell migration inhibition ability, which makes them more promising for lung cancer treatment. Additionally, Hoechst and propidium iodide dye staining also confirmed that the NP formulation had apoptotic activity in cancer cells. Further, to evaluate the mechanism of cancer cell death via checking the gene expression, HGRCm ZnO NPs upregulated the BAX and Caspase 3 and 9 expression levels but downregulated Bcl-2 expression, indicating that the nanoformulation induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, these preliminary results suggest that HGRCm ZnO NPs can be a potential candidate for future lung cancer treatment.

Effects of Javanese Ginseng Root Extracts (Talinum triangulare W.) on Thickness of Seminiferous Tubules of Male Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Exposed by Cigarette Smoke

Highlights:1. Infertility in men can be caused by smoking, the content of free radicals in cigarettes can affect male reproductive organs.2. Javanese ginseng root (Talinum triangulare w.) extract contains ginsenoside which is a natural antioxidant to reduce free radical levels inside the body.3. Javanese ginseng root (Talinum triangulare w.) extract was able to reduce free radical levels as seen from the appearance of the seminiferous tubules of male white rats exposed to cigarette smoke. AbstractIntroduction: Cigarette smoke contains various radical chemical compounds that can increase oxidative stress, which may cause lipid peroxidation in the body and affect various different organs. This study aimed to examine the effects of Javanese ginseng root extracts (Talinum triangulare W.) on the thickness of seminiferous tubules of white male rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to cigarette smoke.Methods: This was an experimental study with a randomized controlled method and a post-test control group design. Post-test control group design with 15 white male rats was divided into five groups: a normal group, a control group (exposed to cigarette smoke), and three treatment groups (exposed to cigarette smoke and Javanese ginseng root extract with doses of 12.5mg, 25mg, and 50mg/200grBW, respectively) for 30 days. The seminiferous tubule thickness was observed using H&amp;E staining under a light microscope with 200x magnification in five fields view.Results: One-way ANOVA showed that Javanese ginseng root extracts significantly affected seminiferous tubule thickness (p = 0.000). With a dose of 12.5mg/200mgBW, Javanese ginseng root extract started to show a significant effect (p = 0.000) on the thickness of the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules. The group exposed to cigarette smoke had an average thickness of seminiferous tubules of 7.92 mm, the normal group had an average thickness of 9.13 mm, and treatment groups with doses 12.5mg, 25mg, and 50mg/200gBW had an average thickness of 11.85 mm, 12.7mm, and 14.69 mm, respectively.Conclusion: Javanese ginseng root extract increased seminiferous tubule thickness in white male rats exposed to cigarette smoke.

Fertility Improvement Following Herbal Treatment in Subfertile Buffalo Bulls

The present experiment was conducted to study the impact of herbal treatment on post thaw semen quality and fertility in subfertile buffalo bulls. Three Murrah subfertile buffalo bulls maintained at bull station, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, India (Latitude/Longitude, 30.55°N, 75.54° E) with the history of poor semen quality (pre-freeze individual motility &lt; 60%, post-thaw individual motility &lt; 40%, Viability &lt; 70% and Abnormality &gt; 20%) were orally supplemented with herbal mixture (Panax ginseng roots, Shilajit, Withania somnifera roots, Tribulus terrestris fruits, Turnera diffusa leaves, Ptychopetalum olacoides bark of each 400 mg/100 kg body weight and 300 mg/100 kg body weight of Pausinystalia yohimbe bark) daily for 60 days of treatment phase. Two semen ejaculates per week per bull were collected during pre-treatment, treatment and post-treatment phases of 60 days each and extended with Tris egg yolk extender. The freezing of extended semen was carried out in a biofreezer (4°C to -15°C @-30°C/min, -15°C to -140°C @-50°C/min) followed by plunging into liquid nitrogen for storage. Post thaw semen quality was assessed in terms of individual motility, viability, total sperm abnormalities. Present study revealed that the oral treatment of subfertile buffalo bulls with Panax ginseng roots, Shilajit, Withania somnifera roots, Tribulus terrestris fruits, Turnera diffusa leaves; Ptychopetalum olacoides bark each @ 400 mg/100 kg body weight and Pausinystalia yohimbe bark @ 300 mg/100 kg body weight for 60 days improved post thaw semen quality and fertility.

Red Ginseng Is a Therapeutic Candidate for Chronic Doxorubicin‐Induced Cardiomyopathy in Mice

Doxorubicin‐induced cardiomyopathy (DICM) is associated with a poor prognosis, and effective therapeutic drug candidates have yet to be identified. Furthermore, whether basic animal models reflect the clinical pathogenesis of DICM should be carefully examined. Although the exact mechanisms underlying the development of DICM are complex and remain unclear, oxidative stress is strongly implicated as a contributing factor. Therefore, we investigated the effects of ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng: Gin), an inexpensive and safe drug with antioxidant properties. We previously conducted a meta‐analysis that yielded results suggesting its efficacy in humans. However, this study did not examine the efficacy of ginseng in detail. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of red ginseng (steamed and dried ginseng cultivated for over six years; RGin) in a mouse model of chronic DICM to elucidate its potential therapeutic benefits. RGin prevented the decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction associated with doxorubicin (DXR) administration and prolonged survival in DBA/2 mice. In addition, RGin reduced DXR‐induced cardiomyocyte damage. These findings highlight its potential as a therapeutic option for the treatment of DICM.

The Effect of Elisitor on Growth and Ginsenoside Level in Hairy Root Culture of Panax ginseng Cultivated in Shake Flasks

In recent years, plants have become an important part of traditional medicine. Although the medicinal potential of the plant looks very promising, there are great difficulties that inhibit products for the production of herbs on a large scale. Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. is a plant often used in traditional medicine in various countries because ginseng can cure various diseases in humans. The main bioactive component in ginseng is the triterpene saponin compound, namely ginsenosides. Ginseng needs to be cultivated at least 4 yr before the root can be harvested. In addition, a special environment is needed for ginseng to develop properly. One way to obtain ginsenosides is to use root hair culture. However, until now it has been reported that the accumulation of ginsensoside in root hair cultures is still low. Elicitation effective method to increase the production of secondary metabolites in vitro culture. The aim of this research was to observe the effect of elicitor in the form of yeast extract and coconut water to the media on the growth and levels of ginsenoside in flask scale Panax ginseng root hair culture. From the data obtained, it can be concluded that the addition of yeast extract from the start with a concentration of 20 mg L−1 cannot increase the levels of ginsenoside in the hairy root culture of P. ginseng. The addition of coconut water from the beginning with a volume of 10 mL increases the biomass but cannot increase the ginsenoside levels in the hair culture of P. ginseng.

Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) conducted in a microfluidic chip to differentiate between various ginseng species.

Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius have different medicinal properties and market values; however, they can be difficult to distinguish from one another based on physical appearances alone. Therefore, a molecular test that can be performed in commercial settings is needed to overcome this difficulty. A locus that contains a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site to differentiate between P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius has been selected. An isothermal nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) has been developed for use in a microfluidic chip; this NAAT method, which is based on lesion-induced DNA amplification (LIDA), amplifies the extracted plant genomic samples and enhances the detection of specific SNPs. This NAAT method was used to authenticate five ginseng root samples which indicated that two of the five samples appear to be mislabeled. These authentication results were consistent with those obtained from next generation sequencing (NGS) although this molecular test is more affordable and faster than NGS.

Efficacy of Hydrogen Peroxide on Root Rot Disease of Ginseng Sprouts

Hydrogen peroxide is an eco-friendly oxidizing agent, which has exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity without adverse environmental impact. This study was conducted to investigate the antifungal effect of hydrogen peroxide treatment against &lt;i&gt;Cylindrocarpon destructans&lt;/i&gt;, and consequently to evaluate its control efficacy against root rot disease of 2-year-old ginseng plants. Hydrogen peroxide treatment strongly inhibited the viability of &lt;i&gt;C. destructans&lt;/i&gt; conidia &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt;. The hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 300 mg/l significantly reduced disease infection of the ginseng root when treated to spore suspension (10&lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt; conidia/ml). Spraying with 300 mg/l of hydrogen peroxide reduced the root rot disease of the ginseng sprouts by 15% compared to the untreated control at 14 days after the inoculation. However, 300 mg/l of hydrogen peroxide delayed the emergence of ginseng plants during sprouting under aeroponic conditions. Further works need to be done to provide an acceptable control efficacy of hydrogen peroxide against the disease and its good safety to ginseng plants.

Ginsenoside Rk3 ameliorates Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in APP/PS1 model mice via AMPK signaling pathway

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a major public health problem affecting the elderly population, and there is currently no effective treatment. Although the pathogenesis of AD is unclear, neurotoxicity induced by oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of AD. Ginseng, the root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, is used not only as an herbal medicine but also as a functional food to support bodily functions. Ginsenoside Rk3 (Rk3), the main bioactive component in ginseng, has a strong antioxidant effect and has not been reported in AD. In this study, we showed that Rk3 improved neuronal apoptosis, decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and restored mitochondrial membrane potential in PC12 and primary neuronal cells. In vivo, we found that Rk3 improved spatial learning and memory deficit in precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mouse model of AD. Additionally, Rk3 increases glutathione reductase (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels while inhibits malondialdehyde (MDA) production, apoptosis and activation of glial cells in APP/PS1 mice. Mechanistically, we found that the protective effect of Rk3 is in correlation with the activation of AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide support for Rk3 as a new strategy for the treatment of AD.