Red American Ginseng: Ginsenoside Constituents and Antiproliferative Activities of Heat-Processed Panax quinquefolius Roots

Abstract

Red Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) is used in many Oriental countries. In this study, the saponin constituents and anticancer activities of steamed American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius L.) roots were evaluated. The contents of 12 ginsenosides in the roots were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After the steaming treatment (100 - 120 degrees C for 1 h and 120 degrees C for 0.5 - 4 h), the quantity of 7 ginsenosides decreased and that of 5 others increased. The content of ginsenoside Rg3, a previously recognized anticancer compound, increased significantly when the root was steamed at 120 degrees C for 0.5 - 3 h. The antiproliferative effects of unsteamed and steamed (120 degrees C for 1 h and 2 h) American ginseng root extracts were assayed by the modified trichrome stain (MTS) method using three cancer cell lines (SW-480, HT-29, NSCLC). Heat-processing increased the antiproliferative effect of American ginseng significantly, and the activity of the extract from roots steamed for 2 h was greater than that of roots steamed for 1 h. Chemical constituents and antiproliferative activities of white and red Asian ginseng have also been evaluated. Five representative ginsenosides, Rb1, Rd, Re, Rg2 and Rg3, were studied. Ginsenoside Rg3 had the most potent effect. The antiproliferative activities of red American ginseng are augmented when ginsenoside Rg3 is increased.

Ginsenoside Rg1 Induces Apoptosis through Inhibition of the EpoR-Mediated JAK2/STAT5 Signalling Pathway in the TF-1/Epo Human Leukemia Cell Line

“…The capacity of various concentrations of Rg1 inhibited cell proliferation of TF-1/Epo acute myelogenous leukemia cell lines in a dose and time-dependent manner ( Figure 1A, B). These antiproliferative activities were agreement with previous study that Rg1 has been suggested to inhibit human cancer cell growth (Wang et al, 2007;Li et al, 2008). Apoptosis is the most common way that anti-tumor medicine induces cell death.…”

In Vitro and in Vivo Anticancer Effects of American Ginseng Berry: Exploring Representative Compounds

“…Our group found that after the steam treatment of American ginseng, the antiproliferative effects on cancer cells were improved significantly possibly due to the altered ginsenoside profile. 11,13) Recently, we analyzed the ginsenoside content in different American ginseng plant parts using HPLC in our laboratories. 14,31) It was found that different plant parts possessed different ginseng saponin composition, and American ginseng berry had a distinct ginsenoside profile compared to other plant parts.…”

“…[7][8][9] In oriental countries, Asian ginseng root can be steamed to produce red ginseng, the pharmacological effects, such as the anticancer activity, of red ginseng are stronger than that of unsteamed ginseng. 10,11) Another species in the Panax genus, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.), has gained popularity with the American public in the past decade, 7,12) however since most studies have focused on the root of Asian ginseng, there is limited data available with regard to the cancer preventive potential of American ginseng.We evaluated the cancer chemopreventive activities of American ginseng root extract on human colorectal and breast cancer. 11,13) It is believed that the bioactive constituents in American ginseng are ginsenosides.…”

“…11,13) It is believed that the bioactive constituents in American ginseng are ginsenosides. Ginsenosides are distributed in many parts of the plant, including the root, leaf and berry.…”

Renoprotective Effects of Fermented Black Ginseng through Ameliorating Oxidative Stress Associated with Cisplatin-Induced Acute Nephrotoxicity in Mice

“…Therefore, fresh ginseng is processed into red ginseng or black ginseng through the process of steaming and drying or processed into white ginseng by a simple drying process [12]. These processing methods increase their pharmacological effects and decrease their cytotoxicity through the chemical alteration of components and the content change [13]. Thus, recent many studies have examined the enhancement of active components and physiological activites by fermenting ginseng.…”