Pueraria thunbergiana inhibits cisplatin‐induced damage of HEI‐OC1 auditory cells through scavenging free radicals

The radix of Pueraria thunbergiana (P. thunbergiana) is traditionally prescribed to attenuate the clinical manifestation of inner ear dysfunction and various clinical situations including fevers, gastrointestinal disorders, skin problems, migraine headaches, lowering cholesterol, and treating chronic alcoholism in oriental medicine. In the present study, we examined the protective effect of ethanol extract of the radix of P. thunbergiana (RPT) on cisplatin‐induced damage of HEI‐OC1 auditory hair cells. When the cells were cultured in the medium containing 5–100 μg/mL of RPT, RPT showed protective effect against the cisplatin‐induced HEI‐OC1 cell damage. We also measured the effects of RPT on lipid peroxidation of cisplatin‐treated cells as well as scavenging activities against superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and DPPH radical. RPT reduced cisplatin‐induced lipid peroxidation in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, RPT showed strong scavenging activity against superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and DPPH radical. These results indicate that RPT protects cisplatin‐induced HEI‐OC1 cell damage through inhibition of lipid peroxidation and scavenging activities of free radials. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Korean red ginseng decreases 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced mitophagy in SH-SY5Y cells

ObjectiveMitophagy is known to contribute towards progression of Parkinson’s disease. Korean red ginseng (KRG) is a widely used medicinal herb in East Asia, and recent studies have reported that KRG prevents 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP⁺)-induced cell death. This study was undertaken to investigate whether KRG suppresses MPP⁺-induced apoptosis and mitophagy.MethodsSH-SY5Y cells were incubated with KRG for 24 h, and subsequently exposed to MPP⁺. The MPP⁺-induced cell death was confirmed with the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay. Changes in the structure and function of mitochondria were confirmed using mitotracker, MitoSOX red mitochondrial superoxide indicator, parkin, and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) immunofluorescent staining. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the expression of apoptosis-related factors in whole cells, including Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3, and mitophagy-related factors in the mitochondrial fraction, including cytochrome c, parkin, PINK1, translocase of the outer membrane 20 (TOM20), p62 and Beclin 1.ResultsMPP⁺ induced cell death by cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation; however, this effect was suppressed by KRG’s regulation of the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax. Moreover, MPP⁺ exposure increased the mitochondrial expressions of parkin, PINK1, Beclin 1 and p62, and decreased TOM20, cytochrome c and Bcl-2 expressions. These MPP⁺-induced changes in the mitochondrial fraction were attenuated by treatment with KRG.ConclusionKRG effectively prevents MPP⁺-induced SH-SY5Y cell death by regulating cytochrome c release from mitochondria and PINK1/parkin-mediated mitophagy, through regulation of the Bcl-2 family.     

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves insulin sensitivity in high fat fed Sprague-Dawley rats

Many studies have documented that ginseng has antidiabetic and antiobesity effects, but the mechanism of the effects has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng) and investigate the mechanism of antidiabetic and antiobesity effects in obese insulin resistant animal models. Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups: a control group (group I) fed a normal diet, another group (group II) fed only high fat diet (HFD) and a third group (group III) fed HFD with KRG (200 mg/kg, oral) for 18 weeks. The body weight, food intake, adipose tissues, liver, kidney, pancreas, adiponectin, and leptin were measured. Blood glucose, insulin tolerance test, and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp test were investigated. A significant weight reduction, especially fat mass reduction, was observed in the KRG treated group. Increased insulin sensitivity was found in the KRG treated group. We observed increased insulin signalling, increased phosphorylation of IR, IRS‐1, Akt, and membranous GLUT4 in muscle by Western blotting assay. In conclusion, KRG may have antidiabetic and antiobesity effects due to partly increased insulin sensitivity by increased adipokine and partly enhanced insulin signalling. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of red ginseng extract on sleeping behaviors in human volunteers

Ethnopharmacological relevence

The ginseng root has been traditionally used as a sedative in oriental countries. However, the condition “ginseng abuse syndrome” (GAS), defined as hypertension, nervousness, sleeplessness, skin eruption, and morning diarrhea, was coined as a result of a study of people who had been using a variety of ginseng preparations. However, we reported that administration of RGE increased rapid eye movement (REM) and non rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep via GABAergic systems in animals. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate how red ginseng extract (RGE) affects sleeping behaviors in human volunteers.

Materials and methods

RGE (1500 mg) was orally administered to young male healthy volunteers (from 15 to 37 years old ages, n=15) three times a day for 7 days. Overnight polysomnographic (PSG) studies were performed two times, 1 day before and 7 days after RGE administration. We investigated differences in sleep architecture parameters such as total sleep time (TST), sleep efficacy (SE: total sleep time/time in bed), proportion of each sleep stage, and wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO) between baseline PSG and PSG after RGE administration.

Results

Total wake time (TWT) was significantly reduced (P<0.05) and SE was increased (P<0.05), although slow wave sleep stage 1 (N1) was reduced (P<0.01) and non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was increased (P<0.03) after administration.

Conclusion

From these results, it is presumed that RGE intake would improve the quality of sleep, thus having beneficial effects on sleep disturbed subjects.     

HPLC法同时测定林下参、鲜人参、生晒参和红参中14种人参皂苷

目的 建立同时测定林下参、鲜人参、生晒参和红参中14种中性和酸性皂苷量的方法.方法 采用反相高效液相色谱法,以COSMOSIL 5 C18-MS柱(250 mm× 4.6 mm,5 μm)为分析柱,乙腈-0.05 mol/L磷酸二氢钾溶液为流动相梯度洗脱,柱温25℃,体积流量为1 mL/min,检测波长203 nm.结果 人参皂苷在0.010～0.640 mg/mL内线性关系良好;加样回收率为97.4％～103.6％.结论 本法简便、准确、分离度好,可作为林下参、鲜人参、生晒参和红参的质量评价的方法,并首次发现了林下参中酸性皂苷的存在.     

Antioxidative effects of Korean red ginseng in postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Red ginseng (RG) has been widely used to treat various diseases in East Asian countries. Previous studies have shown the anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic effects of RG. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RG on oxidative stress and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women.

Materials and methods

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 82 postmenopausal women aged 45–60 years. Participants were randomized to receive 3 g red ginseng daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) were assessed, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index was calculated at the baseline and at the end of the trial.

Results

A total of 71 postmenopausal women completed the study. Serum superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased after the 12-week RG supplementation (P<0.001), and these changes were statistically significant compared with the placebo group (P=0.004). Serum malondialdehyde levels showed a tendency to decrease after the 12-week RG supplementation (P=0.001), but these changes were not statistically significant compared with the placebo group (P=0.064). No statistically significant changes in serum glutathione peroxidase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were noted. Further, RG supplementation showed no effects on fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance.

Conclusions

The results suggest that RG may reduce oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity in postmenopausal women.     

印度人参根提取物对免疫低下小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的：印度人参根提取物(IRRE)对免疫低下小鼠的免疫调节作用。方法：给免疫低下小鼠灌胃印度人参根提取物5，2.5，0.85 g·kg^-1体重，观察其对免疫低下小鼠免疫功能的影响。结果：印度人参根提取物可减缓由环磷酰胺引起的生长缓慢和脏器指数下降，对小鼠迟发型变态反应和抗体生成细胞有增强作用，在刀豆球蛋白A(ConA)刺激的淋巴细胞转化实验中，印度人参根提取物各剂量组显著高于环磷酰胺组(P<0.05)。各剂量组骨髓DNA含量、血清一氧化氮(NO)含量显著高于空白组和环磷酰胺组，但磷酸酶活性变化不大。结论：印度人参根提取物对由环磷酰胺导致的巨噬细胞吞噬功能下降和脾脏损伤有一定恢复能力，能有效保护环磷酰胺所导致的骨髓抑制作用。     

红参醇提液浓缩过程近红外光谱在线分析方法

 目的 应用近红外光谱在线分析中药浓缩除醇过程,实时反映过程的状态。方法 以红参醇提液的浓缩过程为例,配 制浓缩液标准样品,获得其乙醇浓度和总皂苷浓度的参考值和近红外光谱,用标准正态变量方法(standard normal variate,SNV) 和一阶导数预处理光谱,建立近红外光谱与浓度参考值之间的校正模型,并将模型用于在线分析红参醇提液浓缩除醇过程。 结果 测量总皂苷和乙醇浓度的校正模型所用波数范围分别为5543～9033cm^-1和6016～8658 cm^-1,模型测量校正集样本 总皂苷浓度的预测误差均方差(RMSEP)和相关系数r²分别是1．81 g·L^-1,0．983 9,测量乙醇浓度的RMSEP和r₂分别为 1．58％,0．997 7。结论 近红外光谱技术可作为一种中药浓缩过程的在线分析方法。     

红参胶囊对中老年高血压性视网膜病变的临床观察

目的：观察红参胶囊对中老年高血压性视网膜病变和血压的影响。方法：患者口服红参胶囊,停服降压药和其他相关治疗。定时测量患者血压,观察眼底变化。结果：用药６周后患者血压有下降;视网膜小动戏挛缓解,渗出吸收,视盘水肿逐渐消退。结论：红参胶囊中老年高血压性视网膜病变有防治作用,对血压有调节作用。     

人参糖蛋白对阿霉素所致心肌毒性的保护作用及其机制研究

目的 通过体内外实验,探讨人参糖蛋白对阿霉素心脏毒性的保护作用及机制.方法 建立SD大鼠心肌损伤模型,给予人参糖蛋白进行干预后,检测血清中乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)、肌酸激酶同工酶MB(creatine kinase isoenzymes-MB,CK-MB)、超氧化物歧化酶(sup...     

基于细胞凋亡表达的生晒参、红参和西洋参四性研究展望

中药四性的研究一直是困扰中医药界的热点和难点问题,迄今未取得实质性的进展,严重影响了中医药现代化的进程.把细胞凋亡学应用于中药四性的研究,定性定量刻画中药四性的生物学效应与细胞凋亡的关系.从细胞分子水平建立一个中药四性的模式识别系统,将成为衡量中药四性的一个新突破.结合国内外大量文献研究和本课题组的研究基础,对中药四性的发展和定位提出新的观点和思路,对中药四性的研究进行评述和前瞻性分析.     

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) root fractions: differential effects on postprandial glycemia in healthy individuals

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Variations in ginsenoside profile may predict the postprandial glucose (PPG)-lowering efficacy of ginseng. Previously we reported differential PPG-lowering effects with two Korean red ginseng (KRG) root.

Fractions

body and rootlets, of variable ginsenoside profiles. Whether this effect is reproducible with a different KRG source is unclear. We therefore tested two root fractions from a KRG source with elevated ginsenoside levels to assess its effect on PPG.

Materials and Methods

After a 12-h overnight fast, 13 healthy individuals (6M:7F; age = 28 ± 10 y; BMI = 24.1 ± 3 kg/m2; FBG = 4.77 ± 0.04 mmol/L) randomly received either 3 g of KRG-body, rootlets or placebo, on three separate visits. Treatments were consumed 60 min prior to a standard test meal with capillary blood samples at −60, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min.

Results

The KRGrootlets had > 6 fold total ginsensosides than the KRG-body but did not significantly affect PPG. Despite a reduced ginsenoside profile, KRG-body lowered PPG levels at 45, 60, 90 and 120 min during the test (p < 0.05), rendering an overall reduction of 27% in incremental area under the glucose curve compared to the control (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Comparing the results with a previously studied batch of KRG suggests a potential therapeutic dose range for ginsenosides. This observation should be clinically verified with acute screening and ginsenoside composition analysis.     

Anti‐acne properties of hydrophobic fraction of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and its active components

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that occurs when bacteria abnormally grow in hair follicles. The most common treatment is antibiotics, but they are limited due to antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to identify the active ingredients of the antimicrobial effects of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), compare it to existing antibacterial substances, and determine its potential efficacy as a natural drug product. The hydrophobic fraction in red ginseng ethanol extract (RGEF) showed the same or better antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes than benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid. In addition, the antimicrobial component derived from red ginseng selectively showed a high antimicrobial effect on P. acnes. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis showed that the active antimicrobial substance in this fraction was panaxynol and panaxydol. Twenty subjects who had acne symptoms were treated with cream containing 3 mg/g of RGEF for 4 weeks. It was found that oxidized sebum contents and redness of the skin were reduced, and symptoms of the early to middle stage of acne were effectively improved. This study showed that red ginseng extract containing panaxynol and panaxydol can effectively control the symptoms of acne.     

中韩人参产业标准化程度对比分析研究

人参Panax ginseng是一种闻名海内外的药本植物,具有较高的营养价值及药用价值。中国和韩国是全世界人参种植、生产和出口的主要国家,中国人参的产量占世界的一半以上,但产值却不及韩国,人参产业的标准化程度在其中起了重要作用。该文通过对中国和韩国的人参国家标准以及标准化程度进行概述,将中韩人参标准涵盖的类别、标准内容、指标选择、标龄、实施与推广现状等方面进行了细致的对比分析,从中发现我国人参产业标准化发展的劣势,并从标准制修订、实施推广等方面对我国的人参产业标准化的发展提出建议,希望借此提升我国人参产业的竞争力。     

Korean red ginseng extract ameliorates skin lesions in NC/Nga mice: an atopic dermatitis model

Aim of the study

Korean red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has traditionally been considered to harbor anti-allergic effects, however its action on atopic dermatitis (AD) is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of KRG on AD using NC/Nga mice as an AD model. In addition, we examined the effect of aprepitant (substance P specific neurokinin receptor antagonist) on AD.

Materials and methods

The KRG extract and aprepitant were administered orally to NC/Nga mice. The efficacy of KRG and aprepitant was evaluated by assessing total clinical severity score, ear thickness, serum IgE level and histology. In addition, mRNA and protein expression were measured by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

Results

The KRG extract significantly reduced the total clinical severity score, ear thickness and the level of serum IgE in AD mouse model, whereas aprepitant reduced only the serum IgE level. KRG not only decreased TNF-α, IFN-γ and substance P but also reduced the infiltration of FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and CD1a+ Langerhans cells in the lesions, whereas aprepitant decreased only substance P and the infiltration of Treg cells.

Conclusion

These results suggest that KRG extract may be a potential therapeutic modality for AD and aprepitant could be used as adjunctive agent to control pruritus in AD.     

Korean red ginseng attenuates hypercholesterolemia-enhanced platelet aggregation through suppression of diacylglycerol liberation in high-cholesterol-diet-fed rabbits

Intake of Korean red ginseng (KRG, ginseng Radix rubra), rich in glycosylated saponins (ginsenosides), has been known to inhibit platelet aggregation in the normocholesterolemic condition. However, it is unclear whether KRG can attenuate hypercholesterolemia-enhanced platelet aggregation. This study examined whether the daily consumption of a KRG-water extract (WE) could prevent the hypercholesterolemia-enhanced platelet aggregation and progression of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. KRG-WE administration (200 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks potently inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by low doses of agonists (0.5 microg/mL collagen and 0.025 unit/mL thrombin), whereas it weakly reduced the blood-cholesterol levels and formation of atheromatous lesions. In further investigation, KRG-WE significantly suppressed collagen-induced 1,2-diacylglycerol liberation, but had no significant effect on arachidonic acid liberation. Taken together, it can be suggested that the antiplatelet effect of KRG-WE may, at least partly, be due to the inhibition of 1,2-diacylglycerol generation rather than regulation of blood lipid levels. In conclusion, daily consumption of KRG-WE could be a useful alternative measure for the prevention of thrombus and atheroma formation in hypercholesterolemia.     

菲牛蛭提取物对顺铂治疗S180荷瘤鼠减毒作用的研究

目的:研究菲牛蛭提取物联合顺铂治疗S180荷瘤鼠效果及其减毒作用。方法:建立S180荷瘤鼠模型10天后,将40只BALB/c小鼠按肿瘤体积随机分为阴性对照组、顺铂组、菲牛蛭提取物组、菲牛蛭提取物+顺铂组。分组后开始给药,连续给药7天,第8天处死各组小鼠,取血清检测肝肾功能指标;取肾脏进行组织病理学检查;剥离肿瘤称重计算抑瘤率。结果:菲牛蛭提取物与顺铂联合使用具有抑制肿瘤生长的作用(P0.05)。与顺铂组比较,联合用药后菲牛蛭提取物可使S180荷瘤鼠的ALT、AST、TBIL、BUN、CREA含量降低(P0.05)。结论:菲牛蛭提取物与顺铂联合使用治疗S180荷瘤鼠具有相加作用,同时菲牛蛭提取物可减轻顺铂引起的肝肾毒性。     

人参果花青素对对乙酰氨基酚致小鼠肝损伤的保护作用

目的探讨人参果花青素(ginseng fruit anthocyanins,GFA)对对乙酰氨基酚(acetaminophen,AP)致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法建立AP诱导的肝损伤模型,观察GFA对肝损伤的保护作用。将ICR小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组(AP 250 mg/kg)和GFA低、高剂量(200、400 mg/kg)组。通过计算脏器指数,检测血清中的丙氨酸转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转移酶(AST)及肝组织匀浆中的丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平,结合肝组织切片来观察病理学变化。结果与模型组相比,GFA低、高剂量明显抑制了血清中ALT、AST和匀浆中MDA水平的升高,同时缓解了肝组织匀浆中GSH水平的降低(P0.05);组织病理学HE和Hoechst 33258染色显示GFA可明显改善肝组织的坏死和凋亡,并且缩小了坏死区域,减轻了细胞炎性浸润;通过炎症因子诱导型一氧化氮合酶(i NOS)、环氧化酶-2(COX-2)免疫组织化学染色和硝化应激指标3-硝基络氨酸(3-NT)免疫荧光的表达,说明GFA能够抑制硝化应激和炎症反应。结论 GFA对AP诱导的急性肝损伤有一定的保护作用,其机制可能与其抗氧化作用、抑制硝化应激、减少炎症反应及抑制细胞凋亡有关。