Effect of American ginseng extract (Panax quinquefolius) on formalin-induced nociception in mice

Twenty-three ICR mice were force fed orally with American ginseng extract, Panax quinquefolius, (Cold FX) for 4 days. Another 20 mice were fed with water as placebo in a similar fashion. Formalin tests which yield typically two phases of pain behavior were done in both groups. Although there was no difference in the first phase between groups, mice treated with Cold FX spent significantly less time in licking and biting of the injured paws in the second phase. The data indicate that American ginseng may have analgesic effect in this chronic pain model.     

Fractionation and characterization of anticomplementary and mitogenic substances from Panax ginseng extract G-115

Panax ginseng extract G-115 had anticomplementary and mitogenic activities. Incubation with artificial gastric juice slightly decreased the anticomplementary activity, whereas incubation with artificial intestinal juice or with artificial gastric juice followed by artificial intestinal juice slightly increased the activity. Incubations with artificial gastric and intestinal juices slightly decreased mitogenic activity similar to that with water. The G-115 was fractionated in order to characterize the active substances for anticomplementary and mitogenic activities. The most potent anticomplementary activity was observed in the crude polysaccharide fraction, G-115G, whereas the water-soluble dialysable fraction, G-115E showed the most potent mitogenic activity. Although pronase digestion did not change the anticomplementary activity of G-115G, G-115G decreased the anticomplementary activity after the treatments with periodate and endo-polygalacturonase indicating that a carbohydrate moiety containing polygalacturonan may contribute to the activity. G-115G was further purified by precipitation with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose and gel filtration on Sepharose CL-4B, and major potent anticomplementary polysaccharide, G-115I₁-IIa-2-3 was obtained. G-115I₁-IIa-2-3 was homogeneous, and its molecular weight was estimated to be 3.68 × 10⁵. G-115I₁-IIa-2-3 consisted mainly of arabinose, galactose and glucose in addition to small amounts of galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid and rhamnose.     

Neuroprotective effect of a ginseng (Panax ginseng) root extract on astrocytes primary culture

A standardized aqueous extract of Panax ginseng radix was tested for its antioxidant effect on primary astrocytes culture on an oxidant stress model generated by H(2)O(2). The results indicated that this extract had a significant effect on the reduction of astrocytic death induced by H(2)O(2). Dose-response experiments revealed that this ginseng extract increased cell viability at a wide range of concentrations. Therefore, we investigated the effects of this extract on antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidases (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), on glutathione content (reduced and oxidized forms and red/ox index) and on the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Exposure of astrocytes to H(2)O(2) decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and increased ROS formation. Ginseng root extract reversed the effect of almost all of these parameters in H(2)O(2)-injured primary cultures of rat astrocytes.     

明党参内生真菌种群的生态分布及其诱导子活性研究

目的研究不同产区、不同生长期明党参内生真菌的种群结构与生态分布,以及内生真菌诱导子对明党参细胞生长与多糖积累的影响。方法采用微生物分离、培养与鉴定等生物学方法、植物细胞悬浮培养方法以及统计分析方法。结果从4个产地明党参植株中共分离到8属116株内生真菌,其中镰孢属(Fusarium LK.exFR.)、地霉属(Geotrichum LK.)和链格孢属(Alternaria Nees)为优势种群。随着明党参生长期的不同,内生真菌种群结构出现明显的动态变化。在苗期和孕蕾期,内生真菌种群丰富,数量较多,尤其是在孕蕾期3种优势种群的分离率和分离频率分别达到30%和19%以上。部分内生真菌种群还具有明显的区域专一性和组织专一性。此外,内生真菌Fusarium sp.3诱导子处理组,明党参细胞生长量和多糖量分别比对照提高了31.86%和38.01%。结论明党参内生真菌具有丰富的生物多样性,种群结构及分布与其生态环境具有密切的相关性,且部分明党参内生真菌诱导子对其细胞生长和多糖积累均具有显著的促进作用。     

Ethanol extract of propolis inhibits nitric oxide synthase gene expression and enzyme activity

Propolis obtained from honeybee hives has been used in Oriental folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, or immunomodulatory agent. However, the molecular basis for anti-inflammatory properties of propolis has not yet been established. Since nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been known to be involved in inflammatory and autoimmune-mediated tissue destruction, modulation of NO synthesis or action represents a new approach to the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The present study, therefore, examined effects of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) on iNOS expression and activity of iNOS enzyme itself. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with EEP significantly inhibited NO production and iNOS protein expression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). EEP also inhibited iNOS mRNA expression and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) binding activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, transfection of RAW 264.7 cells with iNOS promoter linked to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene, revealed that EEP inhibited the iNOS promoter activity induced by LPS plus IFN-γ through the NF-κB sites of the iNOS promoter. In addition, EEP directly interfered with the catalytic activity of murine recombinant iNOS enzyme. These results suggest that EEP may exert its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the iNOS gene expression via action on the NF-κB sites in the iNOS promoter and by directly inhibiting the catalytic activity of iNOS.     

Effects of the standardized Panax ginseng extract g115 on the D-glucose transport by Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

The effect of standardized Panax ginseng extract (G115 Pharmaton) on D -glucose uptake by Ehrlich ascites tumour cells from mouse was examined. Measurements were carried out using [³H]-2-deoxy-D -glucose, a non-metabolizable glucose analogue. [³H]-2-deoxy-D -glucose was transported from the medium to cells and phosphorylated but was neither further metabolized nor eliminated. Thus, the amount taken in the cells was a measure of D -glucose uptake. The results showed that G115 stimulated D -glucose transport and the maximum effect was obtained at a G115 concentration of 2.0 μg/mL representing an increase of about 35% above basal activity.     

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) inactivation and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition in vitro by Combretum glutinosum perr. (Combretaceae) extract

Among the aqueous extracts of ten African medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of hepatic disease and which can inhibit hepatitis B virus antigen (HBsAg) in vitro, extracts from the leaf decoction of Combretum glutinosum proved to be the most active (100–500 ng/mL^?1). With solvents of increasing polarity, a precipitate was isolated from the methanolic phase of this extract which contains gallic tannins and these compounds may be responsible for the effect on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).     

人参毛状根合成人参皂苷培养条件的优化

目的：对影响人参(Panax ginseng)状根生长及人参皂苷合成的培养条件进行了研究。方法：比较了不同培养基上人参毛状根和人参皂苷的含量变化。结果：人参毛状根在MS IBA0．5mg／l的培养液里预培养72h后，再转入MS基本培养液培养，经过6周的培养，人参总皂苷含量达到5．190％，人参皂苷(Re Rg)含量达到了0．3271％，人参毛状根干重增加98．74倍。结论：确定了最佳的培养基和培养条件，为工业化再生产提供了基础。     

The anti-inflammatory effects of Pyrolae herba extract through the inhibition of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NO production

The extract of Pyrolae herba (PH), which has been used as an anti-inflammatory folk remedy in Korea and China, was investigated for its anti-inflammatory action using arachidonic acid, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or carrageenan-induced edema assays. The anti-nociceptive activity of PH was also tested in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing model. PH showed dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05 at 100-400mg/kg) anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities in the animal assays. The mechanism of the activities of PH was examined by testing the extract to determine if it inhibits the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) from the murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells. Similar to the in vivo activities, both the iNOS expression and NO production were significantly suppressed by PH in a dose-dependent manner. PH also inhibited the activating phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and NF-kappaB in these cells. These results provide a scientific basis to explain the effects of PH as an anti-inflammatory folk remedy in Asian countries.     

Comparative root protein profiles of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and Indian ginseng (Withania somnifera)

Ginsenosides and withanolides are the secondary metabolites from Panax ginseng and Withania somnifera, respectively. These compounds have similar biological properties. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis was utilized to reveal the protein profile in the roots of both plants, with the aim of clarifying similarly- and differentially-expressed proteins. Total proteins of Korea ginseng (P. ginseng) and Indian ginseng (W. somnifera) roots were separated by 2-DE using a pH 4-7 immobilized pH gradient strip in the first dimension and 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. The protein spots were visualized by silver staining. Twenty-one P. ginseng proteins and 35 W. somnifera proteins were chosen for identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry; of these, functions were ascribed to 14 and 22 of the P. ginseng and W. somnifera proteins, respectively. Functions mainly included general cell metabolism, defense and secondary metabolism. ATPase and alcohol dehydrogenase proteins were expressed in both plants. The results of this study, to our knowledge, are the first to provide a reference 2-DE map for the W. somnifera root proteome, and will aid in the understanding of the expression and functions of proteins in the roots of Korean ginseng and Indian ginseng.     

Triterpene saponins from Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis) and their hepatocytoprotective activity

The methanol extract of Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis) was found to possess hepatocytoprotective effects on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cell death in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. Further chemical investigation of the extract afforded two new dammarane-type triterpene saponins, ginsenoside Rh(5) (1) and vina-ginsenoside R(25) (2), as well as eight known dammarane-type triterpene saponins, majonoside R(2) (3), pseudo-ginsenoside RT(4) (4), vina-ginsenosides R(1) (5), R(2) (6), and R(10) (7), ginsenosides Rg(1) (8), Rh(1) (9), and Rh(4) (10), and a known sapogenin protopanaxatriol oxide II (11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. In addition, by the using LC-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS method, five known saponins, ginsenosides Rb(1), Rb(2), Rc, Rd, and Re (12--16), were also identified in the extract. Among the compounds isolated, majonoside R(2) (3), the main saponin in Vietnamese ginseng, showed strong protective activity against D-GalN/TNF-alpha-induced cell death in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. This demonstrates that the hepatocytoprotective effect of Vietnamese ginseng is due to dammarane-type triterpene saponins that have an ocotillol-type side chain, a characteristic constituent of Vietnamese ginseng.     

供氧速率对人参细胞生长的影响

采用排气法测定K_(La)°值，结果表明，供氧速率影响人参细胞的生长，其K_(La)°值最适范围为18～27／h。     

化肥施用对人参品质影响的观察

目的:对人参施用化肥后的重金属及有害元素残留量、人参皂苷含量及人参产量进行观察研究。方法:采用石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法测定铅、镉、铜、镍、铬,原子荧光法测定砷、锑、汞。采用高效液相色谱法测定人参皂苷Rg1、Re、Rb1。结果:与空白相比,正常施肥的人参中重金属元素含量未见明显增加,符合中国药典(2010年版一部)在白芍等7种药材项下对重金属及有害元素的限量要求;正常浓度施肥时,人参总皂苷含量高于高浓度施肥的人参总皂苷含量;人参产量随施肥浓度增加而递增。结论:适量施用化肥,可明显提高人参产量,但在关注人参产量的同时,更应关注其总皂苷的含量。     

Inducible activity of ginger rhizome (Zingiber offifinale Rosc.) on the mRNA expression of macrophage-inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and NO production in a macrophage cell line, RAW264.7 cells

We have investigated the effect of Zingiber offifinale Rosc. (ZOR) on macrophage-inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (macNOS) mRNA expression and NO production in RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line; 100 microg/ml ZOR can induce macNOS mRNA expression, but induction effects at a dose below 10 microg/ml were weak or negligible. Kinetic studies showed that macNOS mRNA can be detected from 4 hours to 24 hours after dosing, with a peak at 8 hours. In accordance with the induction of macNOS mRNA expression, NO concentrations increased from 3.4 microM at 2 hours to almost 150 microM at 24 hours, reflecting a longer period of macNOS mRNA expression. The activity of ZOR can be considered to contribute, at least in part, to the beneficial effects of ZOR through the macNOS-mediated activation of the biodefense mechanism.     

薄层扫描法比较人参和西洋参的研究

采用薄层扫描法对人参和西洋参进行了分析,找出了人参和西洋参各自的特征性成分,并且鉴定人参特征成分ＲＣ为人参皂甙Ｒｆ,西洋参特征成分ＲＡ为２４－（Ｒ）－假人参皂苷Ｆ１１。而且比较了它们的主要人参皂甙在量上的差异,为区别人参和西洋参提供了 方法和依据。     

Effects of wild ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) leaves on lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in streptozotocin diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to examine the possible antioxidant activities of wild Panax ginseng leaf extract intake in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (WGLE). Initial blood glucose levels increased abruptly after streptozotocin injection. After 4 weeks of WGLE supplementation, blood glucose levels were lower in animals fed 40 mg/kg (266 mg/dL) and 200 mg/kg (239 mg/dL) than those in no-WGLE fed diabetic rats (464 mg/dL). The concentration of blood TBARS, which are considered the main products of glucose oxidation in blood, was also lowered by WGLE supplementation. These results indicate that WGLE supplementation is involved in suppressing a sudden increase in blood glucose levels and a consequent decrease in TBARS levels in diabetic rats. TBARS levels in the liver, kidney and spleen of WGLE-fed diabetic groups were also significantly lower than in the control diabetic group indicating that oral administration of WGLE effectively suppresses lipid peroxidation that occurs in the organs of diabetic rats. Antioxidant activities of WGLE supplementation further extend in suppressing activities of antioxidant related enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in organs of diabetic rats. These results confirm the effectiveness of WGLE supplementation in detoxifying free radicals that are produced excessively in diabetic-induced complications.     

中国长白山人参种质资源皂苷的比较研究

目的 :比较长白山人参种质资源的皂苷含量。方法 :用泡沫试验、三氯化锑反应、香草醛高氯酸反应、李伯曼反应检识皂苷的存在 (定性试验 )。用薄层分光光度法测定皂苷含量。结果 :从总体衡量黄果人参皂苷含量大于其它人参种质资源的皂苷含量。结论 :黄果人参是选育人参优良品种的重要资源之一。     

追施无机氮对人参产量和品质影响的研究

通过合理的配合施用无机肥不但不影响人参的品质，而且有助于其品质和产量的提高。本研究找出了在人参上氮磷比为1∶2．6的最佳配方施肥。     

人参和西洋参的化学物质指纹图谱初步研究

建立了人参和西洋参的化合物指纹图谱的研究方法。利用气相色谱质谱(GC-MS)、高效液相色谱联用质谱(HPLC-MS)、毛细管电泳(CE)方法对人参和西洋参的提取物中的弱极性、中等极性和强极性成分分别进行分析,并指认各模式指纹谱中的主要色谱峰。用这种方法可较全面地反映人参和西洋参的化合物,为人参药材的鉴别和质量控制提供有效的方法。     

The in vitro effect of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds on nitric oxide production

The in vitro effect of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds on nitric oxide (NO) production by murine macrophages was studied. Murine peritoneal macrophages were pre-incubated with the extract and then activated with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharride. NO production was measured after 24 hours by spectrophotometry. The plant extract caused a dose-dependent decrease in NO production. Dialyzed preparation of the extract did not affect NO production. However, the boiled fraction of the extract resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of NO apparently comparable to that of the whole extract. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of N. sativa seeds exhibits an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production by murine macrophages and the active component(s) is/are non-protein in nature. In view of the fact that nitric oxide is a pro-inflammatory mediator, this study validates the traditional use of the Nigella sativa seeds for the treatment of rheumatism.