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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1978

Stimulatory effect of ginsenosides on DNA, protein and lipid synthesis in rat bone marrow and participation of cyclic nucleotides.

Effects of several kinds of ginsenosides, saponins from Panax ginseng on DNA, RNA, protein and lipid synthesis in bone marrow were investigated. Single i.p. injection of 0.5--1 mg/100 g body weight of ginsenosides Rb2, Rc, Re and Rg1 4 h prior to the sacrifice increased DNA synthesis in bone marrow cells. RNA, protein and lipid synthesis were also increased. The direct addition of ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2 and Rc mixture (GNS) enhanced DNA synthesis. Cyclic AMP levels in bone marrow cells were decreased 20 min after i.p. injection of ginsenosides Rb2, Rc and Rg1 and the direct addition of ginsenosides Rb2, Rc and Rg1 also decreased cyclic AMP levels. While cyclic GMP levels were increased by administration of ginsenosides Rb2, Re and Rg1. Relationship between chemical structure and actions of ginsenosides and the role of cyclic nucleotides in the stimulatory action of ginsenosides on DNA synthesis in bone marrow cells were discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Comprehensive Identification of WDR Gene Family in Panax ginseng: PgWDR Gene Expression Analysis with Ginsenosides Biosynthesis Under MeJA.

Panax ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) produces pharmacologically valuable ginsenosides. WD40-repeat (WDR) proteins act as versatile regulators of plant specialized metabolism, yet their biological roles under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicitation remain largely uncharacterized in ginseng. In this study, we identified 29 PgWDR family members at the whole-genome level, and systematically analyzed their phylogeny, gene structure, cis-acting promoter elements, as well as organ- and development-dependent expression patterns. Six candidate genes potentially associated with ginsenoside biosynthesis were screened through integrating gene-metabolite correlation analysis and gene co-expression analysis. Under MeJA treatment, three of these candidates showed statistically significant expression responses, while the other three exhibited variable expression fluctuations with no statistical significance. PgWDR24 displayed a positive correlation with key ginsenoside biosynthetic enzyme genes, and a negative correlation with protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside accumulation. Combined with its predicted nuclear localization, we hypothesize that PgWDR24 participates in the negative modulation of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside accumulation, although further genetic functional validation is still required. This work provides valuable candidate genes for deciphering ginsenoside regulatory networks and offers support for molecular-assisted breeding of high-quality ginseng.

Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.↗
PubMed2026

Direct targeting of ORAI1 by ginsenoside Rg3 modulates calcium signaling and senescence-associated AMPK-NRF2 activation.

BACKGROUND: 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3(S)), a major saponin derived from red ginseng, exhibits diverse biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-senescence effects. However, the direct molecular targets through which Rg3(S) regulates calcium signaling and its role at membrane contact sites during cellular senescence remain largely unknown. METHODS: Plasma membrane (PM)-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contacts and related protein interactions were analyzed using proximity ligation assays and co-immunoprecipitation. Direct binding of Rg3(S) to ORAI1 was validated using cellular thermal shift assays and microscale thermophoresis. Molecular docking simulations followed by site-directed mutagenesis were used to define critical binding residues. Cytosolic calcium levels and cellular senescence were assessed using calcium imaging and senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining. RESULTS: Rg3(S) increased cytosolic calcium levels independently of ER calcium depletion and was accompanied by a reduction in PM-ER contacts. Rg3(S) directly bound to ORAI1 in a dose-dependent manner, identifying ORAI1 as a previously unrecognized molecular target of ginsenoside Rg3. Molecular docking revealed LYS204 and ILE229 within the extracellular loop of ORAI1 as key residues maintaining this interaction. Mutation of these residues abolished Rg3(S)-induced calcium influx, leading to impaired activation of the AMPK-NRF2 pathway and attenuation of the anti-senescence effect of Rg3(S). CONCLUSION: These findings identify ORAI1 as a key molecular mediator of ginsenoside Rg3(S)-induced calcium signaling linked to cellular senescence. By modulating PM-ER contact sites and cytosolic calcium dynamics, Rg3(S) attenuates senescence, providing new mechanistic insight into the anti-aging potential of ginseng-derived compounds beyond autophagy-centered pathways.

Calcium signaling↗
PubMed2026

Alleviation of Helicobacter pylori-Induced Pathogenicity and Gastric Inflammation by Majonoside-R2- and Ginsenoside Rg1-Rich Fractions From Panax vietnamensis Ha Et Grushv.: A Metabolomics-Guided Investigation.

Helicobacter pylori infection remains a major global health concern due to its association with gastric inflammation, ulceration, and gastric malignancies. This study evaluated the effects of Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) root fractions on H. pylori virulence and host inflammatory responses. UHPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomic profiling coupled with feature-based molecular networking was employed to characterize the chemical profiles of different solvent fractions, identifying the dichloromethane (DCM) fraction as enriched in ginsenosides, particularly the ocotillol-type saponin majonoside R2 (MR2). In vitro assays showed that, despite minimal direct antibacterial activity, the DCM fraction at sub-inhibitory concentrations significantly reduced urease activity, acid tolerance, biofilm formation, and the expression of major virulence genes, including vacA and cagA. In H. pylori-infected AGS gastric epithelial cells, the DCM fraction and MR2 decreased VacA and CagA translocation, suppressed pro-inflammatory signaling and cytokine production, restored antioxidant defenses, and alleviated mitochondrial apoptosis. By contrast, ginsenoside Rg1 selectively modulated host inflammatory and oxidative stress responses without affecting bacterial virulence gene expression. These results demonstrate that Ngoc Linh ginseng root fractions mitigate H. pylori-induced pathogenic effects primarily through anti-virulence and host-directed mechanisms, highlighting their potential relevance for the development of gastric health-promoting functional products.

Helicobacter pylori↗
PubMed2026

Integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to reveal the potential mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg1 on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ginsenoside Rg1 (GS Rg1), a natural flavonoid exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, holds significant potential for treatment chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the role and potential mechanism of GS Rg1 in the treatment of COPD using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation.Targets related to GS Rg1 and COPD were screened from public databases, and the potential common targets were then imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed to identify key signaling pathways. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding interactions between GS Rg1 and core targets. A BEAS-2B cell model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and cigarette smoke extract(CSE) was used to explore the protective mechanisms of GS Rg1. Western blot analysis was conducted to validate the critical targets and pathways involved in the anti-COPD effects of GS Rg1. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 105 common targets between GS Rg1 and COPD. The EGFR/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathways were selected for further validation. GS Rg1 was demonstrated to effectively inhibit inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in vitro models of COPD. Western blot results showed that GS Rg1 treatment significantly downregulated the expression of proteins involved in the EGFR/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway, consistent with the network pharmacology findings. CSE/LPS exposure induces inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD by disrupting the EGFR/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathways, and GS Rg1 significantly alleviates these effects, which may be partially through regulating the EGFR/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Ginsenosides↗
PubMed2024

Dissecting the anti-obesity components of ginseng: How ginseng polysaccharides and ginsenosides target gut microbiota to suppress high-fat diet-induced obesity.

INTRODUCTION: Ginseng demonstrates therapeutic potential in treating obesity, with both experimental and clinical studies suggesting its anti-obesity effects are mediated by gut microbiota. Nonetheless, the specific chemical components responsible for this effect remain largely unidentified. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the anti-obesity effects and mechanisms of ginseng polysaccharides (GP) and ginsenosides (GS), the primary chemical components of ginseng, with a focus on their impact on gut microbiota. METHODS: The impact of GP and GS on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity was assessed using a mouse model. Molecular mechanisms were explored through a combination of chemical analysis, metagenomics, RT-qPCR, ELISA, and biochemical assays. RESULTS: GP or GS administration effectively prevented adiposity in HFD-fed mice, and both effects were mediated by gut microbiota. Chemical analysis revealed diverse glycosyl groups in GP and GS. Metagenomics data suggested that GP-enriched species, e.g., Bacteroides stercorirosoris and Clostridiales bacterium encoded carbohydrate-active enzymes GH35, GH43 and PL9_1, while GS-enriched Sulfurospirillum halorespirans encoded GH16_5. These enzymes facilitated the utilization of glycosyl groups in GP and GS, selectively stimulating bacterial growth and reshaping the gut microbiota. Furthermore, bacterial species enriched by GP or GS encoded specific functional genes involved in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis (K00625 and K00925 for GP; K18118, K00100, and K18122 for GS) and intestinal gluconeogenesis (IGN) (K01678, K00024, and K01596 for GP; K18118 and K00278 for GS). Consequently, the SCFA-GLP-1/PYY signaling and IGN were activated by both GP and GS to ameliorate obesity phenotypes. CONCLUSION: GP and GS, containing diverse glycosyl groups, selectively stimulate specific gut bacteria, triggering mechanisms involved in SCFA-GLP-1/PYY signaling and IGN activation to reduce adiposity in HFD-fed mice. The study enhances understanding of the chemical components crucial for the gut microbiota-mediated anti-obesity effect of ginseng. The mechanistic understanding provides valuable insights for developing ginseng-based drugs or health products to combat obesity.

Gastrointestinal Microbiome↗
PubMed1977

Potentiation of the NGF-mediated nerve fiber outgrowth by ginsenoside Rb1 in organ cultures of chicken dorsal root ganglia.

The fiber outgrowth induced by ACh, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic GMP in explanted chick embryonic dorsal root ganglia differed distinctly from that be nerve growth factor (NGF) and submandibular gland extract of adult male mice. Ginsenoside Rb1 potentiated the effects of NGF and submandibular extract at concentrations of 3 and 30 muM, but did not potentiate the effects of ACh, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic GMP. NGF-antibody inhibited the effects of NGF, but not the effects of ACh, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic GMP, Concanavalin A and KCL did not promote fiber outgrowth.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2026

Epigenetic activation of NK-cell effector programs and caspase-8-dependent apoptosis mediates the antitumor activity of LGP in NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: Effective activation of natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and caspase-8-dependent extrinsic apoptosis remains a major challenge in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Epigenetic mechanisms regulating NK cell function within the tumor microenvironment are poorly understood and rarely targeted therapeutically. METHODS: The antitumor activity of Li-Ginseng Powder (LGP), a specifically processed Panax ginseng formulation enriched in rare ginsenosides (Rh4, Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, and Rk3), was evaluated in human lung cancer A549 cells and A549 xenograft mouse models. NK cell infiltration and activation were assessed by flow cytometry, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was performed to analyze DNA methylation changes. The effects of LGP ginsenosides (LGG) on tumor cell apoptosis and death receptor signaling were examined in vitro. RESULTS: LGP significantly suppressed tumor growth and enhanced systemic and intratumoral NK cell activation. Promoter demethylation of NK cell effector genes, including Ncr1, Gzmb, Nktr, and Itgal, was associated with increased NK cell infiltration and activation, elevated granule-mediated cytotoxicity, and enhanced IFN-γ signaling. In parallel, LGP treatment induced caspase-8-dependent apoptosis associated with increased expression of membrane death receptors, their ligands, FADD, and procaspase-8 in tumor tissues. In vitro, LGG upregulated these apoptosis-initiating proteins and triggered caspase-8 activation in A549 cells independent of promoter methylation changes. Collectively, these immune-associated and tumor-intrinsic responses contributed to robust tumor suppression with a favorable systemic safety profile. CONCLUSIONS: LGP exerts dual antitumor effects characterized by enhanced NK-cell activation and increased sensitivity of tumor cells to caspase-8-dependent extrinsic apoptosis. These coordinated immune-associated and apoptosis-sensitizing effects underscore the therapeutic potential of LGP for the treatment of NSCLC.

DNA methylation↗
PubMed1979

Stimulation of pituitary-adrenocortical system by ginseng saponin.

Effects of preparations of saponin mixture and isolated ginsenosides, extracted from the root of Panax ginseng, on plasma corticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone concentrations in rats were determined by the radioimmunoassay and competitive protein binding method. When ginseng saponin mixture was administered to rats intraperitoneally, plasma ACTH and corticosterone increased significantly 30, 60 and 90 min after the treatment. The kinetic pattern of the increase in plasma ACTH was almost parallel to that in plasma corticosterone. Isolated ginsenoside, protopanaxadiol or protopanaxatriol glycoside, also increased plasma corticosterone. The ginseng-induced increase in plasma corticosterone was suppressed by pretreatment with dexamethasone. Thus the ginseng saponin was found to act on the hypothalamus and/or hypophysis primarily, and stimulated ACTH secretion which resulted in increased synthesis of corticosterone in the adrenal cortex.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1979

Enhancement and suppression in production of IgM-antibody in mice treated with purified saponins.

Effects of purified saponins on antibody production against SRBC antigen were investigated in adult mice by using the direct hemolytic plaque technique of Cunningham and Szenberg. Intravenous injection of ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rc, senegin-III, -IV or platycodin-D caused increase in antibody-producing cells. However, the same treatment with ophiopogonin-D, ginsenoside-Rd or glycoside-H2 suppressed antibody production. Immuno-suppression due to the latter three substances seemed not to be associated with cytocidal effect. Ophiopogonin-B and platycodin-C had no effects.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Tandem Duplication-Driven Neofunctionalization of UDP-Glycosyltransferases Shapes the Diversification of Triterpenoid Saponins in the Cucurbitaceae.

Tandem duplication of tailoring enzymes allows evolutionary innovation that diversifies plant specialized metabolism. Here, we present an interesting example of how tandem duplicated UDP-glycosyltransferases undergo neofunctionalization and shape the chemical diversity of triterpenoid saponins in the Cucurbitaceae family. A chromosome-level genome of Siraitia grosvenorii was assembled and aligned with multiple cucurbit genomes, revealing a specific UGT73AM tandem duplication responsible for regio-selective glycosylation (e.g. the rare 1,4-linked disaccharide) of diverse saponins such as mogrosides, ginsenosides, and momordicines. Comparative genomics depicted the evolutionary trajectory of a universal saponin-biosynthesizing UGT73 tandem arrays syntenously preserved across core eudicots, where lineage-specific UGT copies contribute to distinct metabolic phenotypes. A crystal structure of SgUGT73AM30 (mogrol 25-O-glycosyltransferase) in complex with UDP and mogrol was obtained to elucidate the molecular basis of the regio-specific decoration on vicinal diol of the substrates. Altogether, these findings provide insights into tandem duplication-driven diversification of glycosyltransferases and lay the foundation for engineered glycosylation of valuable triterpenoid saponins.

Saponins↗
PubMed1977

The chemical constituents of ginseng plants.

The dried roots and rhizomes of ginseng (P. ginseng C. A. Meyer) contain many physiologically important constituents. These include ginseng saponins, ginseng oils and phytosterol, carbohydrates and sugars, organic acids, nitrogenous substances, amino acids and peptides, vitamins and minerals, and certain enzymes that have been isolated and characterized. Among these, ginseng saponins are proven to be the principal and most active constituents. Chemical research, therefore, has been focused on these saponins--their extraction, purification, identification, isolation of aglycones (genins), and biosynthesis. So far 13 saponins have been isolated and identified and these, which have been called ginsenosides or panaxosides, are triterpenes of dammarane and oleanane structures. Although American, Japanese, San-ch'i, Himalayan, and Siberian ginseng roots contain many saponins similar to those found in ginseng, the overall components in these ginseng species are quite different. The above-ground parts, particularly the leaves, of these ginseng plants contain many of the saponins normally present in the roots. The search for economical sources of ginseng saponins from nature and even chemical synthesis may likely become the active ginseng research of the future. Continued, meticulous studies are undoubtedly needed to develop these natural panacea into useful, efficacious modern remedies.

Acids↗