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.

Antiobesity Effect of Oil Extract of Ginseng.

Kim HJ, Kang HJ, Seo JY, Lee CH, Kim YS, Kim JS

1 School of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University , Daegu, Korea.

Abstract In a preliminary study we found that incubating raw ginseng in oil facilitated autolysis and extensive metabolism of ginseng, releasing flavor and lipophilic compounds into the oil so that it could be used as an ingredient for high value-added foods, while the residue could be utilized for making ginseng extract. Here, we report the effect of oil (grapeseed oil [GSO]) extract of ginseng (OEG) on body weight gain and lipid metabolism in a mouse model. OEG, but not GSO, inhibited porcine pancreatic lipase. Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels were lower in male ICR mice at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after oral administration of the lipid emulsion plus OEG (1 g/kg of body weight) than in the group administered only the lipid emulsion or lipid emulsion plus GSO. Next, male C57BL/6J mice were fed a standard diet, a high fat (HF) diet containing 30% lard, or diets including 30% OEG or GSO based on the standard diet for 14 weeks. Consumption of OEG-containing diet significantly lowered the body weight gain, feed efficiency, visceral fat accumulation, plasma TG, and hepatic and white epididymal adipocyte sizes, as well as expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in liver and adipose tissue. In conclusion, dietary OEG improved obesity-related parameters in blood, liver, and adipose tissue in a mouse model and suppressed obesity induced by HF diet, possibly by regulating lipid metabolism by modulating PPARγ protein expression.

Published 10 May 2011 in J Med Food.
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Articles on Ginseng published 9 May 2011:

Panax ginseng ameliorates airway inflammation in an ovalbumin-sensitized mouse allergic asthma model.   J Ethnopharmacol.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Panax ginseng (PG) is a medicinal herb that has been used to treat various immune diseases including asthma and COPD. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory mechanism of PG on asthma parameters in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were sensitized with 20μg/200μl OVA adsorbed on 1.0mg/50μl aluminum hydroxide gel adjuvant by i.p. injection on days 0 and 14. Mice were then challenged with 5% OVA in PBS to the nose for 30min once a day for 3 days, from day 20 ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Ginsenoside Rb1 prevents homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction via PI3K/Akt activation and PKC inhibition.   Biochem Pharmacol.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Ginsenoside Rb1, the major active constituent of ginseng, potently attenuates homocysteine (Hcy)-induced endothelial damage. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we have investigated the effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 on Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction and its underlying signal pathway in vivo and in vitro. Ginsenosides prevented Hcy-induced impairment ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Long-term ginsenoside administration prevents memory loss in aged female C57BL/6J mice by modulating the redox status and up-regulating the plasticity-related proteins in hippocampus.   Neuroscience, 183: 189-202.

Memory impairment is considered to be one of the most prominent consequences of aging. Deterioration of memory begins in advance of old age in animals, including humans. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or free radicals-induced oxidative stress which is the major age-related changes, can lead to hippocampus damage and increase vulnerability to impaired learning and memory. Ginsenoside, the effective ingredient of ginseng, has been reported to have a neuron beneficial effect. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginseng published 6 May 2011:

Ginsenoside Rb1 Inhibits Proliferation and Inflammatory Responses in Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells.   J Agric Food Chem.

Ginsenoside Rb1, a known phytoestrogen, is a major pharmacologically active component in ginseng. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on fetal bovine serum (FBS)-induced proliferation and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-evoked inflammatory responses in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The data showed that Rb1 potently inhibited VSMC proliferation and cell growth induced by 5% FBS. These inhibitory effects were associated with ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Development of a rapid and convenient method to separate eight ginsenosides from Panax ginseng by high-speed counter-current chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection.   J Sep Sci, 34(10): 1116-22.

Ginsenosides exhibit diverse biological activities and are major well-known components isolated from the radix of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. In the present work, a rapid and facile method for the separation and purification of eight ginsenosides from P. ginseng by high-speed counter-current chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detector (HSCCC-ELSD) was successfully developed. The crude samples for HSCCC separation were first purified from ginseng extract using a macroporous ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginseng published 5 May 2011:

Inhibitory effect of ginsenosides from steamed ginseng-leaves and flowers on the LPS-stimulated IL-12 production in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells.   Arch Pharm Res, 34(4): 681-5.

Interleukin-12, a heterodimeric cytokine comprising p40 and p35 subunits, plays an essential role in the regulating the differentiation of Th cells, which establish and maximize the capabilities of the immune system. The aim of present study is to screen the effect of 21 ginsenosides from steamed ginseng-leaves and flowers on IL-12 production in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells induced by lipopolysaccharide. Noticeably, ginsenoside Rg(6) (12) and ginsenoside F(4) (13) exhibited particularly ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginseng published 4 May 2011:

Korean red ginseng prevents gentamicin-induced hearing loss in rats.   Laryngoscope.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the preventive effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on gentamicin (GM)-induced ototoxicity and to identify the effective components of KRG. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo and in vitro studies. METHODS: Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The GM group (n = 15) received intraperitoneal injections (IPI) of GM (160 mg/kg) for 5 days. The KRG + GM group (n = 12) was treated with intragastric feeding of KRG (500 mg/kg) for 12 days with 5 days of IPIs of GM. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginseng published 3 May 2011:

Effects of Ginseng Rhizome and Ginsenoside Ro on Testosterone 5α-Reductase and Hair Re-growth in Testosterone-treated Mice.   Phytother Res.

This research program on the novel functions of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer focused on the effects of ginseng rhizome on hair re-growth in androgenetic alopecia. Extracts of red ginseng rhizome showed greater dose-dependent inhibitory effects against testosterone 5α-reductase (5αR) when compared with extracts of the main root. Ginsenoside Ro, the predominant ginsenoside in the rhizome, and ginsenoside Rg(3) , a unique ginsenoside in red ginseng, showed inhibitory activity against 5αR with ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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