Synergistic Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extract and the Conventional Systemic Therapeutics of Atopic Dermatitis in a Murine Model

The synergistic effects of Korean Red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) on conventional systemic therapeutics of atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been studied yet. To analyze the synergistic effects of KRG extract and the conventional systemic therapeutics of AD in TNCB-induced AD mouse model, we determined the change in modified scoring of index, the transepidermal water loss, the skin pathology, serum IgE, and the expression of various cytokines after combination treatment to the five-week-old NC/Nga female mice. The severity of AD was significantly decreased in the KRG + hydroxyzine (AH) group than AH group, and in the KRG + evening primrose oil (EPO) group than EPO group. A significant decrease in dermal inflammation was observed in the KRG + AH group than that in the AH group, and in the KRG + EPO group than that in the EPO group (p = 0.008), respectively. A decrease in CD1a expression was observed in the KRG + AH group when compared to the AH group (p = 0.008), and KRG + EPO group when compared to the EPO group. Compared to the CS group, the KRG + CS group showed a significant decrease in IL-17 expression. A combination of KRG and conventional systemic therapeutics can safely and effectively manage the AD.

EVALUACIÓN DE LA CAPACIDAD ADYUVANTE DEL GINSENÓSIDO RG1 EN RATONES BALB/C INMUNIZADOS CON UN LISADO DE Staphylococcus aureus

Rg1 ginsenoside, the main active compound of Panax ginseng extract, could be a promising vaccine adjuvant against Staphylococcus aureusbovine mastitis. The aim was to evaluate the adjuvant effects of Rg1 combined with liposomes or alone against S. aureus lysate from bovine mastitis in mice. Female Balb/c mice were divided into 4 groups: S. aureus Lysate + IFA (Group I), S. aureus lysate + liposomes (Group II), S. aureus lysate + Rg1 (Group III) and S. aureus lysate + liposomes + Rg1 (Group IV). All mice were subcutaneously immunized with all formulations 3 times at 2-weeks intervals. Humoral response was evaluated by indirect IgG ELISA assay in plasma collected at the end of the assay. Cellular response was evaluated by MTT kit assay in spleen cells from immunized mice. Groups I and IV showed higher IgG values than groups II and III (p < 0.05). Groups I and II showed higher proliferation values than groups III and IV (p < 0.05). The Rg1-liposome combination increased S. aureus-specific IgG production. However, Rg1 was not able to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation from immunized mice, possibly due to the short S. aureus-specific stimulation time. New assays with different experimental conditions are needed to elucidate adjuvant effects of Rg1 in a murine model.

Formation and Characterization of Irreversible Sediment of Ginseng Extract

Sediment is a key issue in the beverage industry. This study confirmed that reversible and irreversible sediments were formed during low-temperature storage of ginseng extract. The first 30 days of storage are the critical period for sediment formation. As the time of storage extends, the chemical composition changes. The composition interaction model verified that the cross-linking of protein–pectin, protein–oxalic acid and Ca2+–pectin was the main cause of the turbidity of ginseng extract. Based on the characterization of irreversible sediment (IRS), there are typical structures of proteins, polysaccharides and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) crystals. Glucose, galacturonic acid, aspartate, glutamic acid, leucine, Ca, K, Al, Mg, Na and Fe are the main monomer components. Effective regulation of these ingredients will greatly help the quality of ginseng beverages.

The effect of ethanol extract of pasak bumi (Eurycoma longifolia Jack.) on neurogenesis and neuroinflammation of rat post protein malnutrition

Protein malnutrition may affect changes in morphology, neurochemistry, neurogenesis and immune system in the brain. Pasak bumi is often used as an aphrodisiac which is almost the same as Ginseng. The neurogenesis development can be stimulated by ginseng extract intervention. This study aimed to prove the effect of pasak bumi on neurogenesis and neuroinflammation in post-protein malnutrition rats. Experimental research design, rats were divided into 6 groups: KN=normal rats+standard feed, P1=malnutrition rats+aquadest, P2=malnutrition rats + 70% ethanol extract of pasak bumi (EPB) 7.5 mg/kg BW, P3=malnutrition rats + EPB 15 mg/kg BW, P4=malnutrition rats + EPB 22.5 mg/kg BW, P5=malnutrition rats + EPB 30 mg/kg BW. EPB administration for 5 weeks. Parameters examined were levels of BDNF, IL6, TNFα, and serotonin by ELISA method. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis test with 95% confidence level. The results of the study: the mean BDNF level in the P3 group was significantly highest (p=0.047). However, there was no significant difference between groups in IL6, TNFα, and serotonin. Conclusion: The 70% ethanol extract of pasak bumi did not affect neuroinflammation and brain serotonin levels in post-malnutrition rats, but increased BDNF levels in post-malnourished rats at a dose of 22.5 mg/kg BW.

Sono-Chemical Synthesis of Silver Quantum Dots Immobilized on Exfoliated Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanostructures Using Ginseng Extract for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution, Dye Degradation, and Antimicrobial Studies

Due to modernization and the scarcity of fossil fuel resources, energy demand is continuously increasing. In this regard, it is essential and necessary to create a renewable energy source that can meet future energy demands. Recently, the production of H2 by water splitting and removing pollutants from the water has been essential for issues of energy and environmental demands. Herein, g-C3N4 and Ag-g-C3N4 composite structures have been successfully fabricated by the ultrasonication method. The physio/photochemical properties of prepared g-C3N4 and Ag-g-C3N4 were examined with different analytical techniques such as FTIR, XRD, UV-DRS, SEM, TEM, PL, and XPS analyses. The silver quantum dots (QDS) anchored to g-C3N4 structures performed the profound photocatalytic activities of H2 production, dye degradation, and antimicrobial activity under visible-light irradiation. The Ag/g-C3N4 composite with an Ag loading of 0.02 mole has an optimum photoactivity at 335.40 μmol g−1 h−1, which is superior to other Ag loading g-C3N4 composites. The synthesized Ag/g-C3N4 nanoparticles showed potential microbial inhibition activity during the preliminary screening, and the inhibition zones were comparable to the commercial antibiotic chloramphenicol. The loading of Ag into g-C3N4 paves the suppression, recombination and transfer of photo-generated electron-hole pairs, leading to the enhancement of hydrogen production, the diminishment of pollutants in water under visible light irradiation, and antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens.