Ginseng Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ginseng, including details on american ginseng, panax, benefits, side effects.

Ginsenoside Rg3 Suppresses Palmitate-Induced Apoptosis in MIN6N8 Pancreatic beta-Cells.

Kim K, Park M, Young Kim H

Functional Food Technology Research Group, Research Division for Emerging Innovative Techology, Korea Food Research Institute, 516 Baekhyun-dong, Bundang-gu, Songnam-si, Kyonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.

Chronic exposure to elevated levels of free fatty acids (FFA) causes beta-cell dysfunction and may induce beta-cell apoptosis in type 2 diabetes. The execution of beta-cell apoptosis occurs through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), one of the active ingredients of ginseng saponins, has not been known about the effects on beta-cell apoptosis mediated with FFA. The aims of this study were to investigate the in vitro protective effects of Rg3 on MIN6N8 mouse insulinoma beta-cells against FFA-induced apoptosis, as well as the modulating effects on p44/42 MAPK activation. Our results showed that Rg3 inhibited the palmitate-induced apoptosis through modulating p44/42 MAPK activation. We conclude that Rg3 has the potential role in suppressing the progression of type 2 diabetes by inhibiting FFA-mediated loss of beta-cells.

Published 27 January 2010 in J Clin Biochem Nutr, 46(1): 30-5.
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Articles on Ginseng published 25 January 2010:

Increased ubiquitination of multidrug resistance 1 by ginsenoside Rd.   Nutr Cancer, 62(2): 252-9.

MCF-7/ADR cells, a doxorubicin-resistant human breast cancer cell line, acquires resistance to several chemotherapeutic agents, such as anthracylines and taxol, via overexpression of the multidrug resistance1 (MDR1) gene. The present study was designed to clarify whether ginsenosides affect the expression of the MDR1 gene in MCF-7/ADR cells. Ginsenoside Rd, Re, Rb1, and Rg1 (100 microg/ml) decreased MDR1 protein levels in MCF-7/ADR cells. In particular, ginsenoside Rd most potently inhibited ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Oriental medicine Jangwonhwan reduces Abeta(1-42) level and beta-amyloid deposition in the brain of Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer disease.   J Ethnopharmacol.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jangwonhwan, a boiled extract of 12 medicinal plants/mushroom including Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), has been prescribed for patients with cognitive dysfunction and are believed to induce brain activity enhancement, provide light sedation, and facilitate sound sleep. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was carried out to investigate whether Jangwonhwan has a beneficial effect on the brain of Alzheimer disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginseng published 22 January 2010:

Natural aphrodisiacs.   J Sex Med, 7(1): 39-49.

INTRODUCTION: The search for a remedy or a prescription that can enhance sexual function and/or treat male erectile dysfunction has been an obsession throughout known history. Whether it was an Eastern civilization or a Western one, religious or atheist, man's aspiration for a better or best "manhood" has been a history-time goal. AIM: This review will discuss the current research done on the most popular natural aphrodisiacs and examine the weight of evidence to support or discourage ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginseng published 21 January 2010:

Rapid solubilization of insoluble phosphate by a novel environmental stress-tolerant Burkholderia vietnamiensis M6 isolated from ginseng rhizospheric soil.   Appl Microbiol Biotechnol.

We isolated and characterized novel insoluble phosphate (P)-solubilizing bacteria tolerant to environmental factors like high salt, low and high pHs, and low temperature. A bacterium M6 was isolated from a ginseng rhizospheric soil and confirmed to belong to Burkholderia vietnamiensis by BIOLOG system and 16S rRNA gene analysis. The optimal cultural conditions for the solubilization of P were 2.5% (w/v) glucose, 0.015% (w/v) urea, and 0.4% (w/v) MgCl(2).6H(2)O along with initial pH 7.0 at 35 ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and garlic consumption: a lesson to learn.   Urol Res.

The first case of a kidney haematoma after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) in a patient with nephrolithiasis who was taking aged garlic extraction is reported. Patient was treated conservatively without the need of any intervention. Urologists should be aware that herbal products including garlic, ginkgo, and ginseng have been associated with potential increased bleeding. The present case emphasises the need to specifically seek out a history of herbal use in presurgical patients. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Korean red ginseng extract does not cause embryo-fetal death or abnormalities in mice.   Birth Defects Res B Dev Reprod Toxicol.

BACKGROUND: Ginseng has been used for a long time and is well tolerated in humans. However, recent studies have shown that ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1, and Re exert embryotoxicity in in vitro culture systems. We investigated the effects of Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) on embryonic implantation and fetal development in mice. METHODS: Mice were orally administered KRGE (20, 200, or 2,000 mg/kg/day) from 2 weeks before mating to gestational day (GD) 18, and implantation rate, fetal mortality, body ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginseng published 20 January 2010:

Dammarane-type saponins from the flower buds of Panax ginseng and their intracellular radical scavenging capacity.   J Agric Food Chem, 58(2): 868-74.

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been extensively used as a functional food for thousands of years. This study with the aim to evaluate the potential of P. ginseng flower components as a functional food with medicinal properties resulted in the identification of three new dammarane-type saponins, named floralginsenosides Ka-Kc (1-3), along with seventeen known ones (4-20). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods, and their antioxidant ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginseng published 18 January 2010:

New achievements in ginseng research and its future prospects.   Chin J Integr Med, 15(6): 403-8.

In recent decades, scientists in Asian and Western countries have been paying great attention to ginseng research. Today, more than 200 ginsenosides and non-saponin constituents have been isolated and identified. Ginsenosides show biological activities only after being deglycosylated by intestinal bacteria. Aglycone protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol show the highest bioactivities. According to literature, the noticeable action of ginseng is that of delaying aging and especially increasing ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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