Isolation and Identification of Non-Conjugated Linoleic Acid from Processed Panax ginseng Using LC-MS/MS and 1H-NMR

Black ginseng exhibits numerous pharmacological activities due to higher and more diverse ginsenosides than unprocessed white ginseng. The ginsenoside derivatives have been investigated in order to determine their chemical structures and pharmacological activities. We found a peak which was increased 10-fold but unidentified in the methanol extracts of a black ginseng product. The unknown peak was tracked and identified as linoleic acid rather than a ginsenoside derivative using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR analysis confirmed no presence of conjugated linoleic acids. Ginsenoside profiles and linoleic acid contents in black ginseng products were quantified using LC-MS/MS. Linoleic acid content was more directly proportional to the number of applied thermal cycles in the manufacturing process than any ginsenosides.

Red Ginseng Water Extract Aggravates Inflammation in Sebocytes and Outer Root Sheath Cells After Treatment With Lipopolysaccharide and Mice With Cutibacterium Acnes-induced Inflammatory Nodules

Ginseng has been known in Korea as a health-supportive herbal medicine from time immemorial. Red ginseng is one of processed ginseng that is produced from white ginseng through steaming and drying. Many protective functions of red ginseng have been reported from various groups in many diseases. In this study, we first investigated whether red ginseng water extract (RG) aggravates inflammation in human sebocytes and outer root sheath (ORS) cells after treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and mice with Cutibacterium (C.) acnes strain (ATCC 1182)-induced inflammatory nodules. Sebocytes and ORS cells were isolated and cultured from the human scalp. The RG augmented LPS mediated inflammation by increased the mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines in sebocytes and ORS cells. In addition, RG also showed the increased protein expression of p-NFκB, p-c-jun and p-JNK in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Furthermore, RG upregulated the LPS-induced production of sebum in sebocytes. In addition, RG inhibited improvement of inflammatory nodules and showed the increased expression of inflammatory biomarkers in inflammatory nodules of Cutibacterium acnes injected mice. Collectively, our data strongly suggest that RG is one of the aggravating factors of acne vulgaris. It would be better to stop taking RG in patients with inflammatory acne.

Low Molecular Weight Oligosaccharide from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer against UV-Mediated Apoptosis and Inhibits Tyrosinase Activity In Vitro and In Vivo

To find new anti-UV and whitening agents, 21 fractions isolated from three preparations of ginseng (white, red, and black ginseng) were screened, and their antioxidant effects on AAPH- or H2O2-induced damage were investigated. Furthermore, the protective effect against UV-mediated apoptosis and the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the targeted fractions were evaluated in vitro and in a zebrafish model. Among all fractions, F10 from white ginseng was selected as having the strongest anti-UV and antimelanogenesis activities. This fraction exhibited excellent inhibitory effects on the pigmentation of zebrafish, which may be due to its potential tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Additionally, the chemical composition of F10 was evaluated by UPLC-MS and NMR instruments. The results indicated that F10 had a carbohydrate content of more than 76%, and the weight-average molecular weight was approximately 239 Da. Disaccharide sucrose was the main active compound in F10. These results suggest that F10 could be used as an ingredient for whitening cosmetics and regarded as an anti-UV filter in the future.

Effects of Red and White Ginseng Preparations on Electrical Activity of the Brain in Elderly Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Three-Armed Cross-Over Study

Background: Recently, the superior efficacy of hydroponically cultivated red ginseng preparation HRG80® compared to wild growing white ginseng (WG) in preventing stress-induced symptoms related to the daily work situation of healthy subjects was reported. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of HRG80®, WG, and placebo on the electrical activity in the brain of elderly human subjects during relaxation and mental challenges. Methods: Changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency ranges of 17 different brain regions were measured after single and repeated administration of HRG80®, WG, and placebo across a four-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled three-armed cross-over trial. Results: Both red and white ginseng preparations had a strong impact on brain activity, with different effects on various brain regions depending on the mental load during relaxation and cognitive tasks associated with memory, attention, and mental performance. Both ginseng preparations exhibited significant effects on spectral powers compared to placebo, reflecting an activating action. The spectral changes in the quantitative EEG induced by HRG80® indicated an improvement in mood as well as calming effects, evidenced by the modulation of β2 waves, representing changes in GABA-ergic neurotransmission. HRG80® attenuated δ/θ powers during relaxation, suggesting the potential improvement of pathologically enhanced spectral power in aging. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that both hydroponically cultivated red and wild growing white ginseng have similar beneficial effects on the cognitive functions of elderly subjects, as reflected by electric brain activity, but their modes of action on the brain are different.

Cumulative Production of Bioactive Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, and CK from Fermented Black Ginseng Using Novel Aspergillus niger KHNT-1 Strain Isolated from Korean Traditional Food

Ginseng is an ancient herb widely consumed due to its healing property of active ginsenosides. Recent researchers were explored to increase its absorption and bioavailability of ginsenosides at the metabolic sites, due to its pharmacological activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the isolation and characteristics of components obtained by a shorter steaming cycle (seven cycles) of white ginseng to fermented black ginseng, using a novel strain of Aspergillus niger KHNT-1 isolated from fermented soybean. The degree of bioactive of Rg3 increased effectively during the steaming process, and biotransformation converted the color towards black along active ginsenosides. Glycol moiety associated with C-3, C-6, or C-20 underwent rapid biotransformation and hydrolysis, such as Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd → Rg3, F2, and was converted to CK. Dehydration produces Rg3 → Rk1, Rg5. Rh2 → Rk2; thus, converted fermented black ginseng was solvent-extracted, and the isolated components were identified by TLC, HPLC, and quantification by LCMS. The unique composition obtained during this process with Rk1, Rg3, Rg5, and CK is nontoxic to HaCaT cell line up to 200 ug/mL for 24 h and was found to be effective in B16BL6 cell lines, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Thus, it is a suitable candidate for nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals.

Comparative Evaluation of Korean White Ginseng and Red Ginseng Efficacies in a Mouse Model of Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Stroke

Background: Stroke is a condition characterized by brain tissue damage owing to a decrease in the brain's oxygen supply due to blocked blood vessels, and 80% of all strokes are classified as cerebral infarction. Notably, the incidence rate tends to increase with increasing age. In this study, we compared the efficacy of white ginseng (WG) and red ginseng (RG) extracts (WGex and RGex, respectively) in an ischemic stroke mouse model and confirmed the underlying mechanisms of action.Methods: Mice were orally administered WGex or RGex 1 h before performing middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h; the size of the infarct area was measured 24 h after MCAO. The neurological deficit score was evaluated, the efficacy of the two drugs was compared, and the mechanism of action was confirmed using methods such as tissue staining and protein quantification.Results: In the MCAO-induced ischemic stroke mouse model, WGex and RGex showed neuroprotective effects in the cortical region, with RGex demonstrating a generally stronger efficacy than WGex. Furthermore, it was confirmed that ginsenoside Rg1, a representative indicator substance, was not involved in mediating the effects of WGex and RGex.Conclusion: WGex and RGex inhibited brain injury attributed to ischemia/reperfusion, with RGex revealing a more potent effect. At 1,000 mg/kg body weight, only RGex reduced cerebral infarction and edema, and both anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways were involved in mediating these effects.