Effects of ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on cell-to-cell communication function mediated by gap junctions

Gap junctions have been shown or are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of many inherited and acquired human diseases. Agents that regulate the gap junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC) function may facilitate prevention and treatment of GJIC-involved diseases. In the present study we examined the effects of 27 ginsenosides isolated from Panax ginseng on GJIC. The results show that compounds 1 (oleanolic acid), 2 (ginsenoside-R0), 3 (ginsenoside-Rb1), 5 (ginsenoside-Rb2), 7 (ginsenoside-Rd), 8 (ginsenoside-Rg3), 12 (panaxadial), 13 (notoginsenoside-R4), 17 [ginsenoside-Rg2 (20S)], 18 (ginsenoside-Rf), and 26 (ginsenoside-F3) did not obviously affect GJIC, whereas compounds 4 (ginsenoside-Rc), 6 (ginsenoside-Rb3), 9 (ginsenoside-Rd2), 10 (notoginsenoside-Fe), 11 (ginsenoside-Rh2),14 (ginsenoside-Ra1), 15 (ginsenoside-Re), 16 [ginsenoside-Rg2 (20R)], 19 (ginsenoside-Ia), 20 [ginsenoside-Rh1 (20S)], 21 [ginsenoside-Rh1 (20R)], 22 (ginsenoside-F1), 23 (protopanaxatriol), 24 (panaxatriol), 25 (ginsenoside-Rg1), and 27 (chikusetsaponin-L8) induced GJIC reductions at various degrees. Compounds 2, 7, and 8 protected against the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor vanadate-induced GJIC reduction, while compounds 1, 5, 7, and 17 inhibited the cytokine interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1alpha)-induced reduction in GJIC. Nevertheless, no compounds protected against the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced GJIC inhibition. On the other hand, GJIC reductions induced by compounds 6, 9,10, 20, 21, 22, 24, and 25 were inhibited by the tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor genistein, while GJIC reductions induced by compounds 6, 9, 14, 16, 19, 21, and 24 were attenuated in the presence of the PKC inhibitor calphostin C. However, GJIC reductions induced by compounds 4, 23, and 27 were not inhibited either by genistein or by calphostin C. These data indicate that various mechanisms are responsible for effects of ginsenosides on GJIC.     

Screening of anti-hypoxia/reoxygenation agents by an in vitro model. Part 1: Natural inhibitors for protein tyrosine kinase activated by hypoxia/reoxygenation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) signaling pathways play important roles in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) or hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injuries. Inhibition of PTK activation can protect against I/R- or H/R-induced damages. As one part of our work for seeking bioactive compounds from natural sources against I/R or H/R, in the present study we examined the effects of 54 compounds purified from various traditional Chinese herbs on H/R-induced PTK activation by means of an in vitro H/R model in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The results demonstrated that an increase in PTK activation was induced after 2 h of reoxygenation. Compounds 2 (macrostemososide A), 3 (laxogenin-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-arabinopyra nosyl- (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside), 4 (chinenoside II), 7 (ginsenoside-Rd), 52 (icariin), 53 (icariside), and 54 (icaritin) showed relatively obvious inhibition on this H/R-induced PTK activation. Compounds 5 (beta-sitosterol) and 6 (daucosterine), especially 5, completely blocked such an increased activation of PTK induced by H/R. On the contrary, compound 29 (isocumarine) significantly promoted PTK activation further. Moreover, the effects of these compounds on PTK activation were dose-dependent.     

Red American ginseng: ginsenoside constituents and antiproliferative activities of heat-processed Panax quinquefolius roots

Red Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) is used in many Oriental countries. In this study, the saponin constituents and anticancer activities of steamed American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius L.) roots were evaluated. The contents of 12 ginsenosides in the roots were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After the steaming treatment (100 - 120 degrees C for 1 h and 120 degrees C for 0.5 - 4 h), the quantity of 7 ginsenosides decreased and that of 5 others increased. The content of ginsenoside Rg3, a previously recognized anticancer compound, increased significantly when the root was steamed at 120 degrees C for 0.5 - 3 h. The antiproliferative effects of unsteamed and steamed (120 degrees C for 1 h and 2 h) American ginseng root extracts were assayed by the modified trichrome stain (MTS) method using three cancer cell lines (SW-480, HT-29, NSCLC). Heat-processing increased the antiproliferative effect of American ginseng significantly, and the activity of the extract from roots steamed for 2 h was greater than that of roots steamed for 1 h. Chemical constituents and antiproliferative activities of white and red Asian ginseng have also been evaluated. Five representative ginsenosides, Rb1, Rd, Re, Rg2 and Rg3, were studied. Ginsenoside Rg3 had the most potent effect. The antiproliferative activities of red American ginseng are augmented when ginsenoside Rg3 is increased.     

American ginseng leaf: ginsenoside analysis and hypoglycemic activity.

Previous studies showed that both American ginseng root and American ginseng berry extracts possess hypoglycemic properties. In this study, we investigated whether American ginseng leaves also have similar capabilities. We first analyzed the chemical constituents of American ginseng leaf and determined the content of six major ginsenosides, i.e., Rb(1), Rb(2), Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg(1), by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subsequently, we evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of American ginseng leaf extract (AGLE) in diabetic ob/ob adult mice. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of AGLE 50, 150 mg/kg or vehicle for 12 consecutive days. Fasting blood glucose levels, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), body weight and temperature were measured. On day 5, the 150 mg/kg AGLE group had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to vehicle-treated mice (223.0+/-13.9 mg/dl versus 258.0+/-14.0 mg/dl, P<0.05), while the blood glucose levels in 50 mg/kg group did not decrease significantly. On day 12, the glucose levels in both AGLE-treated groups were reduced significantly compared to vehicle group (180.0+/-10.0 mg/dl and 220.2+/-19.3 versus 268.0+/-10.0 mg/dl, P<0.01 and <0.05, respectively). IPGTT data showed that both AGLE 150 and 50 mg/kg groups significantly increased the glucose disposal on day 12 compared to the vehicle group. In addition, body weight decreased in ob/ob mice after AGLE treatment, and these body weight changes were accompanied by significant increases in body temperature (P<0.05). Our results suggest that AGLE possesses a significant anti-hyperglycemic and thermogenic activity and may prove to be beneficial in improving the management of type 2 diabetes.     

Screening of anti-hypoxia/reoxygenation agents by an in vitro method. Part 2: Inhibition of tyrosine kinase activation prevented hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury in endothelial gap junctional intercellular communication

In this study, we demonstrated that hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induced an injury in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) after 2 h of reoxygenation in cultured HUVEC. Free radical scavenger (DMSO) and antioxidant (SOD) did not prevent this GJIC injury at all. Protein kinase C inhibitor (calphostin C) partly blocked this injury. However, the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor genistein completely inhibited this GJIC injury. Compounds 1 [laxogenin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinosyl-(1-->6)- beta-D-glucopyranoside], 2 (macrostemososide A), 3 [laxogenin-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside], 4 (chinenoside II), 5 (beta-sitosterol), 6 (daucosterine), 7 (ginsenoside-Rd), 29 (isocumarine), 52 (icariin), 53 (icariside), and 54 (icaritin), which showed obvious influence on H/R-induced PTK activation as stated in Part 1 (except 1), were explored for their effects on GJIC. The results showed that compounds 2-7 and 52-57 partly protected H/R-induced GJIC injury. Compounds 5 and 6 (especially 5), which showed the strongest inhibitory effects on PTK activation, completely blocked H/R-provoked GJIC injury. Compound 1, which did not influence PTK activation, failed to prevent this GJIC injury. In contrast, compound 29, which significantly promoted PTK activation, enhanced this H/R-induced GJIC injury further. Western blotting of connexin 43, an important gap junctional protein for modulating GJIC in HUVEC, revealed that interference with the gap junctional protein might be the most direct mechanism for compounds 2, 5, 29, and 53 to affect H/R-injured GJIC.     

Development of new staining technology "eastern blotting" using monoclonal antibody

Ginsenosides contained in Panax species were separated by silica gel TLC blotted to a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane which was dipped in a sodium periodide (NaIO(4)) solution and reacted with protein, preparing a ginsenoside-protein conjugate for binding a ginsenoside on a PVDF membrane. The blotted spots were stained by anti-ginsenoside-Rb1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) and anti-ginsenoside-Rg1MAb, respectively. The newly established immunostaining method, eastern blotting was applied for the determination of ginsenosides possessing protopanaxadiol and/or protopanaxatriol. Double staining of eastern blotting for ginsenosides using anti-ginsenoside-Rb1 MAb and anti-ginsenoside-Rg1 MAb promoted complete identification of ginsenosides in Panax species. This technique has been devised for the chromatographic separation and identification of ginsenosides using polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. It caused an acceptable separation of ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rc and -Rd in various ginseng extracts. Newly developed technique is quite simple and applies for immunoassay system. Ginsenosides separated using a PES membrane were directly treated with a NaIO(4) solution and then reacted with bovine serum albumin (BSA) for making a ginsenoside-protein conjugate. After the blocking, anti-ginsenoside-Rb1 MAb recognized a ginsenoside on a PES membrane and then a sec-ond antibody labeled with enzyme reacted to the first antibody. Finally a substrate was oxidized with the enzyme and de-veloped the staining of ginsenosides. The staining spots of ginsenosides on membrane were quantitatively evaluated by NIH Image indicating at least 62.5 ng of each ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rc and -Rd were detected with clarity. The determination range of three ginsenosides was from 0.125 to 2.0 μg of direct amount on PES membrane.     

Memory enhancing and neuroprotective effects of selected ginsenosides

The effects of ginsenosides Rg3(R), Rg3(S) and Rg5/Rk1 (a mixture of Rg5 and Rk1, 1:1, w/w), which are components isolated from processed Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae), on memory dysfunction were examined in mice using a passive avoidance test. The ginsenosides Rg3(R), Rg3(S) or Rg5/Rk1, when orally administered for 4 days, significantly ameliorated the memory impairment induced by the single oral administration of ethanol. The memory impairment induced by the intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine was also significantly recovered by ginsenosides Rg3(S) and Rg5/Rk1. Among the three ginsenosides tested in this study, Rg5/Rk1 enhanced the memory function of mice most effectively in both the ethanoland scopolamine-induced amnesia models. Moreover, the latency period of the Rg5/Rk1-treated mice was 1.2 times longer than that of the control (no amnesia) group in both models, implying that Rg5/Rk1 may also exert beneficial effects in the normal brain. We also evaluated the effects of these ginsenosides on the excitotoxic and oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell damage in primary cultured rat cortical cells. The excitotoxicity induced by glutamate or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was dramatically inhibited by the three ginsenosides. Rg3(S) and Rg5/Rk1 exhibited a more potent inhibition of excitotoxicity than did Rg3(R). In contrast, these ginsenosides were all ineffective against the H2O2- or xanthine/xanthine oxidase-induced oxidative neuronal damage. Taken together, these results indicate that ginsenosides Rg3(S) and Rg5/Rk1 significantly reversed the memory dysfunction induced by ethanol or scopolamine, and their neuroprotective actions against excitotoxicity may be attributed to their memory enhancing effects.     

各种不同年龄人参的皂苷含量及其抗小鼠肿瘤的作用(英文)

AIM: To compare the anticarcinogenic effects of fresh, white, and red ginseng (Panax ginseng C A Meyer) roots and their saponins. METHODS: Lung adenoma in newborn N : GP ( S) mice was induced by a subcutaneous injection of benzo(a)pyrene 0.5 mg. After weaning, ginseng powders or extracts were given in the drinking water for 6 wk. In the 9th wk the incidence and multiplicity of lung adenoma were counted. RESULTS: Anticarcinogenic effects were found in 6-year-dried fresh ginseng, 5- and 6-year white ginseng, and 4-, 5-, and 6-year-red ginseng powders. Anticarcinogenic effects were also found in 6-year-dried fresh ginseng, 5- and 6-year-white ginseng, and 4-, 5-, and 6-year-red ginseng extracts. The content of major ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2> RC. Rd,Re, Rf,Rg1 showed a little higher tendency in fresh or white ginsengs than red ginseng. This tendency was increased as the cultivation ages were increased. But there was no relationship was found between ginsenoside contents and preparation types or cultivation age     

Effect of ginsenosides administered intrathecally on the antinociception induced by cold water swimming stress in the mouse

We examined the effects of ginseng total saponin (GTS) and several ginsenosides injected intrathecally (i.t.) or intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) on the antinociception induced by cold water swimming. The tail-flick response was used as an antinociceptive parameter. We found that i.t. injection of GTS time- and dose-dependently attenuated inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by cold water swimming, although GTS given i.c.v. had no significant effect on the latency of the tail-flick response induced by cold water swimming. To identify those responsible for antagonism of GTS against cold water swimming-induced antinociception, the effects of various kinds of ginsenosides (R(b1), R(b2), R(c), R(d), R(e), and R(g1)) on inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by cold water swimming were examined. R(b1), R(d), R(e), and R(g1) effectively attenuated the inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by cold water swimming stress. Our results suggest that GTS injected spinally, but not supraspinally, reduces the antinociception induced by this stress, and that the responsible ginsenosides against antinociception induced by cold water swimming may be R(b1), R(d), R(e), and R(g1). Moreover, the possible involvement of the opioid system in the regulation of cold water swimming stress-induced antinociception by these four ginsenosides is discussed.     

Biomass and content of ginsenosides and polyacetylenes in American ginseng roots can be increased without affecting the profile of bioactive compounds

Fifty selected roots from a 7-year-old American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) plant population grown in Denmark, with root weights varying from 191 to 490 g fresh weight (FW), were investigated for bioactive ginsenosides and polyacetylenes (PAs) in order to determine the correlation between the content of ginsenosides and PAs and root FW. PAs (falcarinol, panaxydol) and ginsenosides (Rb₁, Rb₂, Rb₃, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg₁) were extracted from roots by sequential extraction with ethyl acetate and 80% methanol, respectively, and quantified in extracts by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using photodiode array detection. Total concentrations of PAs and ginsenosides varied between 150 and 780 mg/kg FW and 5,920 and 15,660 mg/kg FW, respectively. No correlation existed between the content of ginsenosides and PAs and root FW or between the total concentration of ginsenosides and PAs. Strong significant correlation was found between total content of ginsenosides and ginsenoside Rb₁ (r = 0.8190, P < 0.0001) and between total content of PAs and falcarinol (r = 0.9904, P < 0.0001). Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that it is possible to select large American ginseng roots for increased biomass production and concentration of bioactive ginsenosides and PAs without affecting the profile of bioactive compounds. Ginsenoside Rb₁ and falcarinol were found to be important selection parameters for identifying superior genotypes with the highest content of bioactive compounds.     

西洋参cDNA文库构建及表达序列标签(EST)分析

为研究西洋参根的基因表达谱和挖掘其功能基因， 采用表达序列标签(EST)技术首次建立了四年生西洋参根的EST文库。通过BLAST与Gene Ontology分析获得与人参皂苷生物合成相关、 编码P450和糖基转移酶等的基因序列11个， 与生长素调节生长发育相关、 编码生长素响应因子4和生长素调节蛋白等的基因6个， 与水分胁迫相关、 编码蛋白dehydrin和DC2.15 like蛋白等的基因7个， 与编码抗氧化酶如peroxidase和catalase相关的基因6个。另外， 从西洋参根的EST文库获得抗病基因12个， 分别编码转录因子WRKY家族蛋白和ribonuclease蛋白家族， 62个EST是其他物种尚未报道的新基因。可见， EST技术作为功能基因组研究的重要手段可在西洋参功能基因的开发与研究中发挥重要作用， 这些基因的发现为进一步克隆基因全长、 研究基因功能、 改良西洋参品质、 阐明西洋参生长缓慢的分子机制等方面奠定了基础。     

Investigation of the hydrolysis of ginsenosides by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The hydrolysis of ginsenoside standards and the crude extracts of ginseng has been investigated at different pH values (2.4-11.2) using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). The experimental results indicated that the pH value of aqueous solutions is an important factor in changing the composition of ginsenosides. For (20 S)-protopanaxadiol ginsenosides, ginsenosides with a large mass hydrolyzed to form hydrolysates (20 S)-Rg3 and (20 R)-Rg3 at pH 4.3. There were more hydrolyzed products observed at pH 3.3: (20 S)-F2, C-25,26 hydrated ginsenoside "C-Y1" and "C-Y2" (MW=802 Da) accompanied with (20 S)-Rg3, (20 R)-Rg3. At pH 2.4, only (20 R)-Rg3, (20 S)-F2, a small quantity of (20 S)-Rg3 and three C-25,26 hydrated ginsenosides were obtained. For (20 S)-protopanaxatriol Re, no hydrolysates were observed at pH 4.3; it was hydrolyzed at pH 3.3 to form hydrolysates (20 S)-Rg2, (20 R)-Rg2 and hydrated C-25,26 (MW=802 Da) and at pH 2.4 only C-25,26 hydrated ginsenosides "C-Y1" and "C-Y2" (MW=802 Da) were left in the solution. Similar hydrolysis reactions could be also observed for the crude extracts of ginseng. It showed that HPLC/ESI-MS is a fast and convenient method to study the hydrolysis of ginseng.     

主要人参皂甙的分布和比例及人参产品的质量控制

采用反相高效液相色谱法，对１５０多种西洋参、人参及三七的根、叶及其产品进行了分析。以８种主要的人参皂甙Ｒｇ，Ｒｅ，Ｒｆ，Ｒｂ１，Ｒｃ，Ｒｂ２，Ｒｇ２和Ｒｄ作为对照品，来评价人参及其产品的质量，这８种人参皂甙的分布及其比例在对人参及其商品的定性、定量分析方面具有显著的意义。本文首次提出了单体皂甙的含量比率这一有价值的数据在人参品种及不同用药部位鉴定方面的有效性。     

Asian ginseng enhances the anti-proliferative effect of 5-fluorouracil on human colorectal cancer: Comparison between white and red ginseng

Previous studies showed that Asian ginseng, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, may have anti-cancer properties. However, there is limited data exploring the use of Asian ginseng as an adjuvant to chemotherapy, and minimal mechanistic studies related to their possible synergistic activities. In this study, the content of 8 ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1 and Rg3, in the extracts of white ginseng (WG) and red ginseng (RG) were determined by HPLC. Using HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells, we compared the efficacy of WG and RG. We evaluated the synergy between ginseng and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and explored the mechanism of their anti-proliferative effects. As single extract, WG or RG used at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL, inhibited HCT-116 cell proliferation in a concentration-related manner. WG at 0.2 mg/mL did not show obvious synergy with 5-FU co-treatment, while RG at 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL significantly enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of 5-FU at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 μM (P < 0.05). Using flow cytometric assay, RG 0.3 mg/mL did not affect cancer cell apoptotic induction activity. However, the RG induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, while 5-FU arrested the cell in the S phase. Different ginsenoside profiles are responsible for the observed differences in pharmacological effects. The effects of 8 ginsenosides on HCT-116 cells were assayed. Rd and Rg3 showed positive anti-proliferative effect. Our data suggested a potential for RG as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer, via a synergistic action.     

Cytoprotective effect of 20S-Rg3 on benzo[a]pyrene-induced DNA damage

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ubiquitously existing in the environment. Its metabolites have been shown to cause DNA damage and cellular dysfunction in humans. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a Chinese medicinal herb, and ginsenosides are the main active constituent of ginseng. Accumulating evidence had indicated that ginseng extract and ginsenosides possess cytoprotective effects. In this study, the protective effect of ginsenosides on BaP-induced DNA damage in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and HepG2 cells was investigated. The genotoxic effect of BaP was measured by the comet assay. Results showed that tail moment was increased in BaP-treated cells, but cotreatment of ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 can significantly decrease BaP-induced DNA damage. A downstream mechanistic study revealed that 20(S)-Rg3 increased the gene expression of an important phase II detoxifying enzyme NAD(P)H:quinine oxidoreductase 1. The effect was also associated with the activation of protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). These results indicated that 20(S)-Rg3 might protect HDFs from BaP-induced DNA damage through the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/Nrf2 pathway. Our results also demonstrated that 20(S)-Rg3 is a functional ligand of pregnane X receptor (PXR), a nuclear receptor that mediates the induction of drug clearance pathways. Subsequent knockdown of PXR expression by small interfering RNA confirmed the involvement of PXR on the protective effects of 20(S)-Rg3 against BaP-induced DNA damage. In summary, ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 can protect against BaP-induced genotoxicity in human cells, suggesting that ginseng may serve as a natural cytoprotective agent against environmental carcinogens.     

Evaluation of antipruritic effects of red ginseng and its ingredients in mice

The anti-pruritic effect of red ginseng (the steamed root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Araliaceae), a traditional medicine in Asian countries, was investigated in mouse scratching behavior models induced by either compound 48/80 or histamine. Red ginseng and its saponin fraction, but not its polysaccharide fraction, showed an anti-pruritic effect. Representative constituents in the saponin fraction, ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2, inhibited scratching behavior and vascular permeability. These ginsenosides also inhibited the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-4 induced by IgE-antigen complex in RBL-2H3 cells, as well as acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. These results suggest that red ginseng and its ingredients, ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2, may inhibit scratching behavior by inhibiting IL-4 and TNF-alpha expression, promoting membrane stability, and inhibiting Ca (++) influx.     

The physiological effects of Aralia, Panax and Eleutherococcus on exercised rats

Relative and total amount of saponins in Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, Aralia mandshurica and Eleutherococcus senticosus were determined by thin-layer chromatography and by a spectrophotometric method. The ginsenoside Rg1 was present in American ginseng. Aralia and Eleutherococcus did not contain diol- and triol-type ginsenosides. Low concentrations of ginsenosides were found in Oriental red ginsengs (1.4-2.7%). Orally administered Araliaceae saponin extracts did not affect plasma lactic acid, glucagon, insulin or liver glycogen levels in exercised rats and did not prolong their swimming time. Plasma glucose levels in resting rats were decreased by saponin extracts of Canadian white, American red, Sanchi, Aralia, Eleutherococcus, Korean red and Shiu-Chi ginsengs.     

Auxins affected ginsenoside production and growth of hairy roots in Panax hybrid

Hairy roots of interspecific hybrid ginseng (Panax ginseng x P. quinquefolium), induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC 15834, grew well in B5 liquid media supplemented with 2.5 microM auxins (3-indole butyric acid (IBA), 1-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA)). The hairy roots cultured in B5 liquid medium supplemented with 2.5 microM IBA showed best growth (6.39 g fresh weight per a flask, at week 8). The highest content of the total ginsenosides was 1.63% as dry weight at week 8 when cultured with 2.5 microM NAA. The different auxins affected the numbers and lateral branching roots. Especially, 2.5 microM IBA promoted the lateral root formation (43.7+/-4.0 roots, at week 8), and 2.5 microM NAA promoted the lateral root growth (45.3+/-5.6 mm, at week 8). The growth and ginsenosides production of 8-week old hairy roots cultured in B5 liquid media supplemented with IBA and NAA combinations were also investigated. Hairy roots produced higher amounts of ginsenosides in B5 liquid media supplemented with 0.5-1.0 microM IBA and NAA combinations than that cultured in B5 liquid media supplemented with only IBA and NAA. The highest yield of ginsenoside was obtained when cultured with 0.5 microM IBA and 1.0 microM IBA combination (6.38 mg per a flask, at week 8).     

Medicinal history and ginsenosides composition of Panax ginseng rhizome, "Rozu"

Ginseng is prepared from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer root. The root of wild P. ginseng has long tortuous rhizome called traditionally "Rozu" in Japanese. In the present historical studies on ginseng, it has been proven that ginseng has sometimes been used after removing "Rozu" due to its emetic effects. However, ginseng with "Rozu" is prescribed in almost all the present Kampo formulations used clinically in China and Japan. Possible reasons for this are (1) some formulations including "Rozu" have been used for vomiting resulting from the retention of fluid in the intestine and stomach, "tan-in" in Japanese, and (2) the present cultivated ginseng has shorter "Rozu" than wild ginseng. Furthermore, it is proved that "Rozu", rich in ginsenoside Ro with oleanane-type aglycone, is distinguished from ginseng roots rich in ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 with dammarane-type aglycone. This is the first report to declare the distribution of ginsenosides in underground parts of wild P. ginseng. Ginsenoside Ro is a minor ginsenoside in ginseng whereas it is the major ginsenoside in P. japonicus rhizome (chikusetsu-ninjin in Japanese). Ginsenoside Ro is characterized by antiinflammatory effects which differ from ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 responsible for adaptogenic effects of ginseng. These results suggest that "Rozu" containing both oleanane- and dammarane-type ginsenosides might be a promising raw material distinct from ginseng root or P. japonicus rhizome.