Effect of Rg3-enriched Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in healthy individuals: a randomized controlled trial

Ginsenoside Rg3, present in steamed ginseng (Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer), is thought to be a potent modulator of vascular function. Our objective was to clinically evaluate acute effects of ginsenoside Rg3–enriched Korean red ginseng (Rg3-KRG) on measures of arterial stiffness and peripheral and central blood pressure (BP) parameters in healthy volunteers. Using a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, 23 individuals (9 males:14 females; age, 25 ± 2 years; body mass index, 22 ± 0.6 kg/m²; systolic BP/diastolic BP, 113 ± 3/70 ± 2 mm Hg) were administered 400-mg Rg3-KRG extract or 400-mg wheat bran control on two separate visits with a 7-day washout period. Aortic augmentation index and central BP were measured using applanation tonometry by radial pulse wave analysis, and peripheral BP was evaluated oscillometrically. Measurements were taken at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after intervention. Compared with control, there were significant reductions in augmentation index (−4.3 ± 8.9%, P = .03), central (−4.8 ± 6.8 mm Hg, P = .01) and brachial mean arterial pressure (−4.4 ± 6.6 mm Hg, P = .01), central systolic (−5.0 ± 7.9 mm Hg, P = .01) and diastolic BP (−3.9 ± 6.6 mm Hg, P = .01), and brachial systolic (−4.4 ± 10.0 mm Hg, P = .048) and diastolic BP (−3.6 ± 6.4 mm Hg, P = .01) at 3 hours after intervention compared with control. This study is the first to demonstrate Rg3-KRG extract acutely lowers central and peripheral arterial pressures in healthy adults. Further clinical evaluation is desired to quantify efficacy in higher risk individuals and in long-term settings.     

人参三醇组甙对大鼠胸腺细胞增殖活性的影响

人参三醇组甙腹腔连续注入１４天，可加速胸腺细胞周期进程，促进细胞更新和增殖，提高胸腺细胞对ＣｏｎＡ的反应性，导致胸腺向外周输送Ｔ细胞的储备增强，提示人参三醇组成可促进大鼠胸腺细胞的增殖活性。     

Increase of insulin secretion by ginsenoside Rh2 to lower plasma glucose in Wistar rats

1. The aim of the present study was to clarify the role of ginsenoside Rh2 as the active compound in Panax ginseng root for lowering plasma glucose in animals. 2. Plasma glucose was assessed using the glucose oxidase method. Changes in the levels of insulin and C-peptide in plasma were measured by ELISA using commercially available kits. 3. After intravenous injection into fasting Wistar rats for 60 min, ginsenoside Rh2 (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) decreased plasma glucose in a dose-dependent manner. In parallel with the decrease in plasma glucose, increases in plasma insulin levels, as well as plasma C-peptide, were observed in rats receiving the same treatment. These effects of Rh2 were reversed by atropine (0.1-1.0 mg/kg), but not affected by the ganglionic nicotinic antagonists pentolinium or hexamethonium (both at 7.5 mg/kg). 4. Disruption of synaptically available acetylcholine (ACh) using an inhibitor of choline uptake (hemicholinium-3; 1-10 microg/kg) or an inhibitor of vesicular ACh transport (vesamicol; 1.5-3.5 mg/kg) abolished the actions of Rh2. In addition, physostigmine (0.1-0.5 mg/kg), at a concentration sufficient to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, enhanced the actions of the ginsenoside Rh2. Thus, mediation of the effects of Rh2 to enhance insulin secretion by ACh released from nerve terminals can be considered. 5. Blockade of the increase in plasma insulin and the plasma glucose-lowering action of Rh2 by 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperdine methiodide (4-DAMP; 5-10 microg/kg) indicates the participation of muscarinic M(3) receptors. Increases in plasma C-peptide level induced by Rh2 were also sensitive to 4-DAMP. 6. The results of the present study suggest that ginsenoside Rh2 has the ability to increase insulin secretion as a result of the release of ACh from nerve terminals that then stimulates muscarinic M(3) receptors in pancreatic cells. This finding shows the mechanism for the plasma glucose-lowering action of ginsenoside Rh2, that is one of the major principles contained in P. ginseng root. Thus, ginsenoside Rh2 may be applied as an adjuvant for the management of diabetes.     

人参皂苷对人体骨肉瘤细胞U_2OS增殖的影响

目的为寻找人参中抑制骨肉瘤细胞增殖的活性成分。方法采用细胞计数法检测了27种从人参中得到的单体化合物对体外培养的人体骨肉瘤细胞U     

灵芝菌液体发酵人参茎叶总皂苷化学成分变化及其抗肿瘤活性

目的：研究灵芝菌液体发酵人参茎叶总皂苷前后化学成分的生物转化规律,为人参茎叶药性菌质的进一步开发奠定基础。方法：采用灵芝菌种对人参茎叶总皂苷进行液体发酵,薄层色谱法分析发酵前后其化学成分的变化;紫外分光光度法检测发酵前后人参茎叶总皂苷水平;高效液相色谱法检测发酵前后人参皂苷Rb₁、Rg₃、Rd、CK、Re、Rg₁和Rh₁水平。将人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞株分为空白对照组,低、中和高剂量人参茎叶总皂苷组,低、中和高剂量人参茎叶药性菌质组。低、中和高剂量人参茎叶总皂苷和人参茎叶药性菌质组给药剂量分别为5、10和20 mg·L^-1,MTT法检测人参茎叶总皂苷发酵前后SMMC-7721细胞株的生长抑制率（IR）。结果：薄层色谱检测,发酵前后皂苷之间发生了相互转化;发酵前人参茎叶总皂苷水平为749.98 mg·g^-1,发酵后人参茎叶总皂苷水平为602.26 mg·g^-1。发酵前人参二醇组皂苷中人参皂苷Rb1、Rg3、Rd和CK水平分别为24.54、2.21、87.22和0 mg·g^-1,人参三醇组皂苷中人参皂苷Re、Rg1和Rh1水平分别为151.34、77.02和3.06 mg·g^-1;发酵后人参二醇组皂苷中人参皂苷Rb1水平降低了61.45%,Rg3水平增加了238.91%、Rd水平增加了34.43%、CK水平增加了268.00%,人参三醇组皂苷中人参皂苷Re水平降低了63.75%、Rg1水平降低了64.41%,Rh1含量增加了408.88%。中剂量人参茎叶药性菌质组SMMC-7721细胞株的IR高于中剂量人参茎叶总皂苷组（P<0.05）,高剂量人参茎叶药性菌质组SMMC-7721细胞株的IR高于高剂量人参茎叶总皂苷组（P<0.01）。结论：以灵芝菌液体发酵人参茎叶总皂苷可明显改变其化学成分,发酵后组分对SMMC-7721细胞株具有更强的抗增殖活性。     

小鼠皮层神经元缺氧损伤的模型制备及其实验观察

目的 :建立皮层神经元缺氧损伤的模型 ,为抗缺氧研究提供可靠的实验方法。方法 :采用形态学观察和 MTT比色分析比较了不同密度、不同缺氧时间对培养神经元形态及活性的影响 ;同时观察了银杏内酯、人参皂甙预处理对神经元缺氧损伤的保护作用。结果 :( 1)在进行原代皮层神经元培养时 ,细胞接种的密度以 1.6× 10 6～ 2 .0× 10 6个细胞 /ml为好。( 2 )随着缺氧时间延长 ,神经元活性降低 ,细胞死亡率增加。 ( 3 )银杏内酯和人参皂甙预处理均能使缺氧 8h的神经元比单纯缺氧对照组活性明显升高。结论 :实验结果稳定 ,重复性好 ,是离体抗缺氧研究的一种较理想的实验方法     

Potential accumulation of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides in six-months toxicokinetic study of SHENMAI injection in dogs

SHENMAI injection (SMI), derived from famous Shen Mai San, is a herbal injection widely used in China. Ginsenosides are the major components of SMI. To monitor the exposure level of SMI during long-term treatment, a 6-month toxicokinetic experiment was performed. Twenty-four beagle dogs were dived into four groups (n = 6 in each group): a control group (0.9% NaCl solution) and three SMI groups (2, 6 or 3 mg/kg). The dogs were i.v. infused with vehicle or SMI daily for 180 d. Blood samples for analysis were collected at specific time points as follows: pre-dose (0 h); at 10, 30, and 60 min during infusion; and at 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 240, and 300 min post-administration. Concentrations of ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, and Rg1 in the plasma were determined simultaneously by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Non-compartmental parameters were further calculated and analyzed. Significant differences were found between the kinetic behavior of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type (PPD-type) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol-type (PPT-type) ginsenosides. Increasing in the exposure level of PPD-type ginsenosides was observed in dogs during the experiment. Therefore, PPD-type ginsenosides are closely related to the immunity modulation effect of SMI. Increased PPD-type ginsenoside exposure level may present potential toxicity and induce drug-drug interaction risks during SMI administration. As such, PPD-type ginsenoside accumulation must be carefully monitored in future SMI research.     

氧自由基损伤海马神经元及人参皂甙的保护作用

采用胎龄 18天大鼠海马神经元进行培养 ,第 5天以黄嘌呤 -黄嘌呤氧化酶 (X- XO)体系建立氧自由基损伤模型 ,并分别给与人参皂甙 (Gin)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、Gin+ SOD,观察氧自由基对神经元的损伤及 Gin、SOD的保护作用 ,结果表明 :氧自由基组细胞死亡率明显高于正常组 (P<0 .0 1) ,各抗自由基组细胞死亡率接近正常组 (P>0 .0 5 ) ,自由基组神经元细胞器严重受损 ,脂褐素增多 ,核变形偏位 ,胞浆与胞核比例减少 ,而各抗自由基组上述损伤减轻 ,提示 Gin和 SOD可增强神经元抗氧化能力 ,减轻氧自由基对神经元的损害     

Antidiabetic effects of malonyl ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on type 2 diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin

Ethnopharmacology relevance

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been recorded to treat ‘Xiao-ke’ (emaciation and thirst) symptom in many ancient Chinese medical literatures (such as ‘Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing’) for thousands of years. ‘Xiao-ke’ symptom, in general, indicates diabetes mellitus.

Aim of the study

Malonyl ginsenosides (MGR) are natural ginsenosides which exist in both fresh and air-dried ginseng. The objective of this study is to determine the antidiabetic function of MGR on type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods

High fat diet-fed and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg/d of MGR or vehicle for 3 weeks. The effects of MGR on fasting blood glucose (FBG), intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), serum insulin (SI), insulin tolerance test (ITT), body weight, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels in type 2 diabetic rats were measured.

Results

After 3 weeks of treatment, MGR administration showed significantly lower FBG levels compared to the diabetic control group. In glucose tolerance test, IPGTT data showed that both MGR 50 and 100 mg/kg groups significantly increased the glucose disposal after glucose load. The ITT also showed improvement of insulin sensitivity during 120 min of insulin treatment. In addition, MGR reduced TG and TC contents while showed no effect on body weight in diabetic rats.

Conclusion

The findings from this study suggest that MGR can alleviate hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia and insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes.