Generation of ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2 from North American ginseng

Rg3 and Rh2 ginsenosides are primarily found in Korean red ginseng root (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and valued for their bioactive properties. We quantified both Rh2 and Rg3 ginseng leaf and Rg3 from root extracts derived from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Quantification was obtained by application of HPLC with ion fragments detected using ESI-MS. Ginseng leaf contained 11.3+/-0.5 mg/g Rh2 and 7.5+/-0.9 mg/g Rg3 in concentrated extracts compared to 10.6+/-0.4 mg/g Rg3 in ginseng root. No detectable Rh2 was found in root extracts by HPLC, although it was detectable by ESI-MS analysis. Ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2 were detected following hot water reflux extraction, but not from tissues extracted with 80% aqueous ethanol at room temperature. Therefore ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2 are not naturally present in North American ginseng, but are products of a thermal process. Using ESI-MS analysis, it was found that formation of Rg3 and Rh2, among other compounds, were a function of heating time and were breakdown products of the more abundant ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc. Our findings that heat processed North American ginseng leaf is an excellent source of Rh2 ginsenoside is an important discovery considering that ginseng leaf material is obtainable throughout the entire plant cycle for recovery of valuable ginsenosides for pharmaceutical use.     

Simultaneous Determination and Analysis of Major Ginsenosides in Wild American Ginseng Grown in Tennessee

Ginsenosides are the major constituent that is responsible for the health effects of American ginseng. The ginsenoside profile of wild American ginseng is ultimately the result of germplasm, climate, geography, vegetation species, water, and soil conditions. This is the first report to address the ginsenoside profile of wild American ginseng grown in Tennessee (TN), the third leading state for production of wild American ginseng. In the present study, ten major ginsenosides in wild American ginseng roots grown in TN, including Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, and Rg3, were determined simultaneously. The chemotypic differences among TN wild ginseng, cultivated American ginseng, and Asian ginseng were assessed based on the widely used markers of ginsenoside profiling, including the top three ginsenosides, ratios of PPD/PPT, Rg1/Rb1, Rg1/Re, and Rb2/Rc. Our findings showed marked variation in ginsenoside profile for TN wild ginseng populations. Nevertheless, TN wild ginseng has significant higher ginsenoside content and more ginsenoside diversity than the cultivated ginseng. The total ginsenoside content in TN wild ginseng, as well as ginsenosides Rg1 and Re, increases with the age of the roots. Marked chemotypic differences between TN wild ginseng and cultivated American ginseng were observed based on the chemotypic markers. Surprisingly, we found that TN wild ginseng is close to Asian ginseng with regard to these characteristics in chemical composition. This study verified an accessible method to scientifically elucidate the difference in chemical constituents to distinguish wild from the cultivated American ginseng. This work is critical for the ecological and biological assessments of wild American ginseng so as to facilitate long‐term sustainability of the wild population.     

西洋参与人参中人参皂甙含量的比较

采用ＴＬＣ和ＨＰＬＣ方法分析比较西洋参（Ｐａｎａｘ ｑｕｉｎｑｕｅｆｏｌｉｕｍ Ｌ．）、人参（Ｐ．ｇｉｎｓｅｎｇ Ｃ．Ａ．Ｍｅｙ．）及其加工品红参（ｒｅｄ ｇｉｎｓｅｎｇ）,以及不同规格的西洋参中人参皂甙的含量。结果表明,西洋参中人参皂甙总量及人参二醇型皂甙的含量明显高于人参及红参,且含有１种人参及红参中未发现的未知人参皂甙Ｒｘ,但不含人参及红参中含有的Ｒｆ;人参中人参二醇型皂甙的含量高于人参三醇     

西洋参有效成分与气候生态因子的关系

通过回归分析、灰色关联分析等方法系统地分析了气候生态因子对西洋参有效成分含量的影响,结果表明：温度和日照是影响西洋参总皂甙含量的主要气候因子;其总皂甙的含量与总氨基酸的含量呈显著负相关,故气候因子对二者的作用方向相反;影响西洋参醚浸出物、醇浸出物以及水溶性浸出物含量的主要气候因子均为气温日较差和日照时。     

The influence of lead and arsenite on the inhibition of human breast cancer MCF-7 cell proliferation by American ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius L.)

American ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius) has a number of purported therapeutic effects, including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. The ability of environmentally relevant heavy metals to alter ginseng effects on cancer cell growth was the subject of this study. A water extract of American ginseng root was applied alone or in combination with physiologically relevant doses of either lead (Pb) or arsenite to MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro and effects on cell proliferation were determined. Ginseng alone produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition of MCF-7 cell proliferation starting at 0.5 mg ml(-1). Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 2.5 microM arsenite significantly decreased MCF-7 cell proliferation (p < 0.01). When cells were treated with arsenite (1.25 or 2.5 microM) in combination with ginseng extract (0.5 mg ml(-1)), there was an apparent synergistic inhibition of cell proliferation. Treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with 50 microM Pb significantly decreased cell proliferation relative to control (p < 0.01), and concomitant ginseng and Pb treatment did not lead to a further decrease. These results suggest that contaminant heavy metals, some of which have been detected in ginseng root extracts or commercial ginseng preparations, may alter the biological activity of ginseng.     

Pollen ultrastructure of Panax(the ginseng genus, Araliaceae),an eastern Asian and eastern NorthAmerican disjunct genus

Pollen of ten species of Panax and six species of Aralia was examined in light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Grains of both genera have similar complex apertures, short columellae, and overlapping tectal sculptures, suggesting a close relationship. Most species of Panax have pollen characterized by striato-reticulate tecta, short columellae, thick foot layers, costa ectocolpi, and lalongate endoapertures. The eastern North American P. trifolius, commonly known as the dwarf ginseng, has a distinctive pollen morphology and exine structure, supporting the hypothesis of its phylogenetically isolated position. Pollen of the eastern Asian P. ginseng (ginseng) can be distinguished from the eastern North American P. quinquefolius (American ginseng) by differences in ultrastructure. The monophyly of the three medicinally important species, P. ginseng, P. notoginseng, and P. quinquefolius, suggested by triterpenoid data, is not supported by pollen data. The results of the pollen study are generally congruent with those from the sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA.     

人参抗疲劳作用研究进展

人参是古今著名的滋补强壮良药,药理研究、临床观察和流行病学调查,结果均证实人参具有多种生物活性。本文着重从人参抗中枢疲劳、抗自由基、调节糖代谢和乳酸代谢,以及对血红蛋白含量的影响等方面进行综述。     

American and korean ginseng tissue cultures: Growth,chemical analysis,and plantlet production

Summary Roots, stems, or leaves of American (Panax quinquefolium) and Korean (Panax ginsing) ginseng were grown as callus or supension tissue cultures. Tissue cultures ofP. ginseng would occasionally form plantlets. The fundamental chemical composition, inorganic analysis, and saponin (panaquilin) content of American and Korean ginseng plants and tissue cultures were determined. The crude saponin content is very similar to, but approximately one-half (1.3%, fresh weight) of that present in ginseng roots. Two-dimensional thin layer chromatographic analysis revealed minor differences in the panaquilins present in American and Korean ginseng tissue cultures. The sapogenin, panaxadiol, was isolated from Korean ginseng callus.     

Ginsenoside content and variation among and within American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) populations

The contents of five ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc and Rd) were measured in American ginseng roots collected from 10 populations grown in Maryland. Ginsenoside contents and compositions varied significantly among populations and protopanaxatriol (Rg1 and Re) ginsenosides were inversely correlated within root samples and among populations. The most abundant ginsenoside within a root and by population was either Rg1 or Re, followed by Rb1. Ginseng populations surveyed grouped into two chemotypes based on the relative compositions of Rg1 and Re. Four populations, including the control population in which plants were grown from TN and WI seed sources, contained roots with the recognized chemotype for American ginseng of low Rg1 composition relative to Re. The remaining 6 populations possessed roots with a distinctive chemotype of high relative Rg1 to Re compositions. Chemotype did not vary by production type (wild versus cultivated) and roots within a population rarely exhibited chemotypes different from the overall population chemotype. These results provide support for recent evidence that relative Rg1 to Re ginsenoside contents in American ginseng roots vary by region and that these differences are likely influenced more by genotype than environmental factors. Because the physiological and medicinal effects of different ginsenosides differ and can even be oppositional, our findings indicate the need for fingerprinting ginseng samples for regulation and recommended usage. Also, the High Rg1/Low Re chemotype discovered in MD could potentially be used therapeutically for coronary health based on recent evidence of the positive effects of Rg1 on vascular growth.     

不同光照强度对西洋参光合特性,营养成分和产量的影响

在２１．６％自然光强下生长的西洋参叶片,光合作用的光饱和点和光补偿点皆比１１％自然光强下的高．在恒定条件下,光合作用最适温度为２８℃．２１．６％自然光强下的光合产物,较多地分配到根部,１１％自然光强下则分配到果实中的高．光合速率在一定范围内随透光强度的增加而提高,以透光３０％的叶片为最高．其日变化呈双峰曲线．叶绿素含量在一定范围内随光强的增加而降低,叶绿素ｂ含量的变化亦为同样趋势．叶片结构以弱光和强光相比,在上表皮角质层花纹、下表皮气孔数、叶肉细胞形状、叶绿体数及其基粒片层结构都有明显差别．参的产量随光强的增加而显著增加,但以透光３０％时增长幅度最大,４０％时增长变小．根中总皂苷和氨基酸含量在一定范围内随光强而增加,至透光４０％时又下降．     

Determination of major ginsenosides in Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) using high-performance liquid chromatography

In order to determine the active ingredients in root extracts of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng), a gradient HPLC method involving UV photodiode array detection was applied to separate and quantify simultaneously the ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf and Rg1. All ginseng saponins were baseline-resolved under the selected conditions, and the detection limits were 1.0 microg/mL or less. The method has been applied to analyse ginsenosides extracted from American ginseng cultivated in both Wisconsin and Illinois. Ginsenosides Re and Rb1 were the two main ginseng saponins in the root. The amounts of Re in 5- and 7-year Illinois-cultivated samples were greater than those found in ginseng cultivated for 3 or 4 years in Wisconsin, whereas the levels of Rb1 were greater in the younger Wisconsin samples.     

人参的遗传改良*

遗传改良是人参育种的重要手段之一,而遗传转化和再生体系的建立是开展人参遗传改良工作的前提和基础。人参植株再生可以通过器官发生和体细胞胚发生,间接体细胞胚发生是人参植株再生的主要途径,从不同外植体,不同碳源,体细胞胚优化和无激素再生等方面进行了综述。在人参遗传转化方面,发根农杆菌和根癌农杆菌对人参的遗传转化均已成功,人参皂苷合成途径中的关键酶基因和抗除草剂基因也已陆续导入人参,得到了遗传改良的转化人参。发根培养系统可用于大量生产人参皂苷,讨论了rolC基因对人参发根诱导的作用,发根植株再生能力及生物反应器培养,最后指出了人参基因工程研究中存在的问题。     

Ginsenoside Rb1 in asymmetric somatic hybrid calli of Daucus carota with Panax quinquefolius

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is one of the most valuable herbs in the world. Its major active components are ginsenosides. In order to produce ginsenoside heterogeneously, somatic hybridization, a novel approach for genetic introgression, was employed in this study. Protoplasts derived from respective calli of carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus Hoffm.) and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius L.) were used as the fusion partners. Hybrid calli derived from single cell lines containing chromatin of American ginseng were confirmed by the analyses of isozyme, Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results showed that the ginseng monomer Rb₁ was synthesized in seven of the hybrid calli identified as well as in the parent American ginseng calli but not in the parent carrot calli. Results indicated that hybrid introgression lines could produce ginsenoside Rb₁ and the ginsenoside Rb₁ biosynthesis pathway has been introgressed into carrot cells via somatic hybridization. From the point of biosafety view concerning the consumer acceptance, the potential predominance to produce ginsenosides with somatic hybridization other than with genetic transformation is discussed. Lu Han and Chuanen Zhou contributed equally to this work.     

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) prevents glucose-induced oxidative stress and associated endothelial abnormalities

Purpose

Ginseng (Araliaceae), demonstrates widespread biological effects because of its purported antioxidant and other properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of American ginseng root extract on glucose-induced oxidative stress and associated oxidative damage to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods

Following pretreatment with various concentrations of ginseng (alcoholic extract), HUVECs were incubated with various concentrations of d-glucose ranging from 5 to 25 mmol/l for 24 h. l-Glucose was used at a concentration of 25 mmol/l as a control.

Results

Glucose-induced oxidative stress detected by intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, superoxide anion generation and DNA damage in HUVECs were significantly prevented by ginseng. Treatment of HUVECs with ginseng further led to significant prevention of glucose-induced NF-κB activation. Glucose-induced increase in fibronectin (FN), EDB⁺FN (a splice variant of FN), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNAs and protein levels were also prevented by ginseng treatment.

Conclusion

These data indicate that American ginseng prevented glucose-induced damage in the HUVECs through its antioxidant properties.     

20(R)-Ginsenoside Rf: A new ginsenoside from red ginseng extract

In spite of the general concept that herbal supplements are safe, there is a lack of appropriate quality control measures and regulations that often culminates in serious undesirable effects such as allergic reactions and renal and liver damage. Thus, there is a growing need to establish a suitable methodology that enables authentication and quality assurance of herbal products. The root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), commonly called ginseng, is traditionally recognized as a prominent herbal medicine in Far East Asia. There are two types of processed ginseng, white and red ginseng, based on processing methods, and these play a significant role in modifying ginsenosides, which are the major bioactive metabolites in these products. Herein we purify and characterize a new ginsenoside, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rf, utilizing NMR, UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS and validate the metabolite is generated from its epimer, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rf during the steaming process to manufacture red ginseng. We further propose a relevant mechanism for the chemical conversion. This finding updates chemical profiling of ginseng products that can be employed in quality assurance and authentication.     

Isolation of a ribonuclease from sanchi ginseng (Panax pseudoginseng) flowers distinct from other ginseng ribonucleases

A single-chained ribonuclease was isolated from the aqueous extract of sanchi ginseng (Panax pseudoginseng) flowers. It exhibited a molecular mass of 23 kDa, an N-terminal sequence with some similarity to other enzymes involved in RNA metabolism but different from known ribonucleases, and considerably higher activity toward poly U than poly C and only slight activity toward poly A and poly G. The purification protocol entailed ion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose, affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel, ion exchange chromatography on carboxymethyl (CM)-cellulose, and gel filtration on Superdex 75. The ribonuclease was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose and adsorbed on Affi-gel blue gel and CM-cellulose. Maximal activity of the ribonuclease was attained at pH 7. On either side of this pH the enzyme activity underwent a drastic decline. The enzyme activity was at its highest at 50 degrees C and dropped to about 20% of the maximal activity when the temperature was decreased to 20 degrees C or elevated to 80 degrees C. The characteristics of sanchi ginseng flower ribonuclease were different from those of the ribonucleases previously purified from sanchi ginseng and Chinese ginseng roots including ribonuclease from Chinese ginseng flowers which are morphologically very similar to sanchi ginseng flowers.     

人参种群2000年间向北消退的历史及其与人口压力关系的初步分析

本文通过对大量的历史资料的整理分析及人参产地的实际研究,给出了人参种群分布区在近2000多年间从黄河岸边向北消退的历史概况。就人参种群历史性消退的机理作了初步分析,建立了人参种群生存空间遭受人为破坏的生态环境模型,确定了人参种群承受人口压力阈值为45人/km~2左右.最后得出,由于人口压力的作用而迫使人参种群历史性消退的结论.     

胶东地区西洋参营养元素含量研究

测定了胶东地区３～５年生西洋参中氨基酸和总皂甙含量的变化情况,结果显示：氨基酸含量侧根高于主根;在同龄参中１０月采收样品氨基酸含量最高;总皂甙含量依次为则根和须根＞叶＞主根＞茎。     

Recent methodology in the phytochemical analysis of ginseng

This review summarises the most recent developments in ginseng analysis, in particular the novel approaches in sample pre-treatment and the use of high-performance liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry. The review also presents novel data on analysing ginseng extracts by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (Fourier transform mass spectrometry) in the context of metabolomics.     

人参根提取物增强巨噬细胞RAW264.7的自噬水平并提高其增殖和吞噬能力

研究人参根提取物对巨噬细胞RAW264.7的增殖能力、吞噬能力和自噬水平的影响以及其相关性.用细胞计数试剂(CCK-8)检测不同浓度的人参根以及加入对巨噬细胞RAW264.7增殖的影响;采用中性红吞噬实验检测人参根提取物对巨噬细胞吞噬活性的影响;采用吖啶橙染色法(AO染色法)检测自噬体的形成;采用免疫印迹法(Weste...