Holistic quality evaluation of commercial white and red ginseng using a UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS-based metabolomics approach.

Molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive potential of curcumin: Current challenges and future perspectives

Although employed in Asian societies for thousands of years, the use of ginseng as an herbal medication for a variety of disorders has increased tremendously worldwide in recent years. Ginseng belongs to the genus Panax, of which there exists a variety, generally reflecting their geographic origin. North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) are two such varieties possessing a plethora of pharmacological properties, which are attributed primarily to the presence of different ginsenosides that bestow these ginsengs with distinct pharmacodynamic profiles. The many cardiovascular benefits attributed to ginseng include cardioprotection, antihypertensive effects, and attenuation of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure. Experimental studies have revealed a number of beneficial properties of ginseng, particularly in the area of cardiac protection, where ginseng and ginsenosides have been shown to protect the ischaemic and reperfused heart in a variety of experimental models. Emerging evidence also suggests that ginseng attenuates myocardial hypertrophy, thus blunting the remodelling and heart failure processes. However, clinical evidence of efficacy is not convincing, likely owing primarily to the paucity of well designed, randomized, controlled clinical trials. Adding to the complexity in understanding the cardiovascular effects of ginseng is the fact that each of the different ginseng varieties possesses distinct cardiovascular properties, as a result of their respective ginsenoside composition, rendering it difficult to assign a general, common cardiovascular effect to ginseng. Additional challenges include the identification of mechanisms (likely multifaceted) that account for the effects of ginseng and determining which ginsenoside(s) mediate these cardiovascular properties. These concerns notwithstanding, the potential cardiovascular benefit of ginseng is worthy of further studies in view of its possible development as a cardiovascular therapeutic agent, particularly as adjunctive therapy to existing medications.

Therapeutic Potential of Ginseng in the Management of Cardiovascular Disorders

Peptides are rarely reported from Chinese Baijiu (Chinese liquor) because they are often present in very low concentrations in the complex matrix. A tetrapeptide, Ala-Lys-Arg-Ala (AKRA), was recently identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) from sesame flavor-type Baijiu at a concentration of 8.497 ± 0.753 μg/L (P > 0.05), and this tetrapeptide showed preventive effects against 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropanimidamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. The cellular antioxidant activity assay results showed that AKRA protected AAPH-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment of the cells for 2 h with AKRA (0.38-1.50 mg/mL) caused strong intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities and prevented a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) and increases in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, AKRA treatment prevented significant decreases in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) induced by AAPH. Thus, AKRA treatment ameliorated AAPH-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. This study will be important for the design and regulation of functional Baijiu production.

Structural Characterization of a Tetrapeptide from Sesame Flavor-Type Baijiu and Its Preventive Effects against AAPH-Induced Oxidative Stress in HepG2 Cells.

Red ginseng monograph.

The functional properties of Korean red ginseng (KRG) are known to be dependent upon the extent of heat processing. We demonstrated that repeated heat processing in the preparation of KRG decreased its arginyl-fructosyl-glucose (AFG) content and metal chelating capacity. On the other hand, the total phenolic compound content, in vitro peroxyl radical scavenging ability, and cellular peroxyl and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability increased with repeated heat processing. The peroxyl radical scavenging ability of KRG may be due to the total phenolic compound content. The hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of KRG seems to result mainly from the chelating ability of Amadori compounds such as arginyl-fructose and AFG. The protective ability of KRG against Cu2+-induced oxidative stress in hepatoma HepG2 cells may be due to permeability into the cell membrane rather than antioxidant activity. These results can be used to predict the physiological functions of KRG in in vivo models.

Heat Processing Decreases Amadori Products and Increases Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Korean Red Ginseng

In this study, 3 major curcuminoids were analyzed and the cellular anti-oxidant activities of E-TE(K) and E-TE(M) were assessed in HepG2 cells. The contributions and molecular targets of the 3 curcuminoids in the anti-oxidant activities of E-TE(K) and E-TE(M) were revealed. The curcuminoids including curcumin (CCM) was the most abundant curcuminoid [10.7% of ETE( K) and 17.5% of E-TE(M)] and the curcuminoid content, particularly CCM, was crucial for anti-oxidant activities of E-TE(K) and E-TE(M). The anti-oxidant activity of CCM involved the regulation of Nrf2, the central transcriptional factor for expression of phase II detoxifying enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1. The CCM-activated Nrf2 was shown to be regulated by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Taken together, the results indicate that the activation of Nrf2 through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is required for anti-oxidant activity of CCM. These findings provide the scientific evidence for the development of Nrf2 targeted dietary anti-oxidant.

Curcumin ameliorates AAPH-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by activating Nrf2

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in the world. Although multiple biological activities of Korean ginseng have been widely studied, anti-oxidant property and moisturizing effect of oil exracted from Korean red ginseng (KRO) remains unknown. Here in vitro anti-oxidant activity and the moisturizing effect in 20-30 aged female of KRO were investigated. The peroxyl radicals are dose-dependently and significantly scavenged by KRO between 0.01-0.1% as judged by ORAC and its electron donating capacity was examined through reduction potential using copper ions. The KRO showed dose-dependent increasing reduction capacity between 0.01% and 0.1%. In addition, the KRO effectively attenuated AAPHor Cuinduced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. We further investigated the moisturizing effect of KRO in 20-30 aged female for 2 weeks. The treatment of moisturizer with KRO improved moisture content of skin in 20-30 aged female (n=4). These results imply that the KRO may be utilized as strategy for skin. In addition, our findings provide the scientific evidences for the development of skin targeted nutricosmetics and cosmetics.

Anti-oxidant Activity of Oil Extracted from Korean Red Ginseng and Its Moisturizing Function

Isoflavone content and apoptotic effect in HT-29 cancer cells of a soy germ extract

An extract of fermented wheat germ (EFWG) was prepared by treatment with Aspergillus oryzae and in vitro antioxidant and cellular antioxidant capacities were measured. The induction of phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes in exerting a cellular antioxidant capacity was determined. Treatment of wheat germ with A. oryzae significantly (p<0.001) increased the ferulic acid content, compared to controls, among 4 phenolic acids analyzed. The peroxyl radical-scavenging and reducing capacities and the cellular antioxidant capacity of EFWG were more potent than for extracts of wheat grain (EWG). The cellular antioxidant capacity of EFWG against AAPH and H2O2-induced oxidative stress was stronger than for EWG due to enhanced induction of the phase II enzymes HO-1, GST, and NQO-1. Potent in vitro and cellular antioxidant capacities of EFWG may result from an increased ferulic acid content due to treatment with A. oryzae.

Ji-Hye Song

Papers

Heat Processing Decreases Amadori Products and Increases Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Korean Red Ginseng

Curcumin ameliorates AAPH-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by activating Nrf2

Anti-oxidant Activity of Oil Extracted from Korean Red Ginseng and Its Moisturizing Function

Isoflavone content and apoptotic effect in HT-29 cancer cells of a soy germ extract

Ferulic acid released by treatment with Aspergillus oryzae contributes to the cellular antioxidant capacity of wheat germ extract