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Journal of Natural Products Jul 2021Monosaccharides play important roles in living organisms. They are present in essential glycoproteins, nucleic acids, and glycolipids as well as cell walls and bioactive...
Monosaccharides play important roles in living organisms. They are present in essential glycoproteins, nucleic acids, and glycolipids as well as cell walls and bioactive natural product glycosides and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are optically active, and as a routine, scientists make sure that their absolute configurations are determined when new natural glycosides are isolated. Many determination methods for the absolute configuration of monosaccharides have been reported, and thus far, taking advantage of their optical rotation differences is the most used and efficient method to distinguish enantiomers. This method, however, is not very convenient, because it requires a milligram amount of each pure sample and the availability of a polarimeter. Identification methods dealing with comparison of the retention times of the d- and l-diastereomeric monosaccharide derivatives by GC, TLC values, HPLC, or UPLC have been also reported. Although effective, these methods still require sample preparation and a few milligrams of the test compounds. A new method with simple sample preparation to distinguish enantiomers of monosaccharides by analyzing the H NMR spectra of their diastereomeric derivatives has been developed. The monosaccharide components of a commercially available saponin-rich and monoglycosides have been successfully identified using this procedure.
Topics: Biological Products; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Structure; Monosaccharides; Panax; Stereoisomerism
PubMed: 34191514
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01120 -
BMC Evolutionary Biology Apr 2018The economic value of ginseng in the global medicinal plant trade is estimated to be in excess of US$2.1 billion. At the same time, the evolutionary placement of ginseng...
BACKGROUND
The economic value of ginseng in the global medicinal plant trade is estimated to be in excess of US$2.1 billion. At the same time, the evolutionary placement of ginseng (Panax ginseng) and the complex evolutionary history of the genus is poorly understood despite several molecular phylogenetic studies. In this study, we use a full plastome phylogenomic framework to resolve relationships in Panax and to identify molecular markers for species discrimination.
RESULTS
We used high-throughput sequencing of MBD2-Fc fractionated Panax DNA to supplement publicly available plastid genomes to create a phylogeny based on fully assembled and annotated plastid genomes from 60 accessions of 8 species. The plastome phylogeny based on a 163 kbp matrix resolves the sister relationship of Panax ginseng with P. quinquefolius. The closely related species P. vietnamensis is supported as sister of P. japonicus. The plastome matrix also shows that the markers trnC-rps16, trnS-trnG, and trnE-trnM could be used for unambiguous molecular identification of all the represented species in the genus.
CONCLUSIONS
MBD2 depletion reduces the cost of plastome sequencing, which makes it a cost-effective alternative to Sanger sequencing based DNA barcoding for molecular identification. The plastome phylogeny provides a robust framework that can be used to study the evolution of morphological characters and biosynthesis pathways of ginsengosides for phylogenetic bioprospecting. Molecular identification of ginseng species is essential for authenticating ginseng in international trade and it provides an incentive for manufacturers to create authentic products with verified ingredients.
Topics: Base Sequence; Bayes Theorem; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; DNA Methylation; Genome, Mitochondrial; Genome, Plastid; Genomics; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Microbiota; Panax; Phylogeny; Species Specificity
PubMed: 29614961
DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1160-y -
Nutrients Mar 2022Many studies that use food containing Panax genus plants (PGPs) have been conducted but most of them have not mentioned the effective compounds ginsenosides and their... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Many studies that use food containing Panax genus plants (PGPs) have been conducted but most of them have not mentioned the effective compounds ginsenosides and their composition. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of time to exhaustion as an index of exercise endurance with ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides to reveal their effects.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review with a comprehensive and structured literature search using seven literature databases, four clinical trial databases, and three general web search engines during 15-22 March 2021. A random-effects model was applied to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as the difference between the mean in the treatment and placebo groups. We evaluated the risk of bias of individual studies along with the risk of bias tool in the Cochrane handbook. This study was funded by Maruzen Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima, Japan). The protocol for this study was registered with the UMIN-CTR (No. UMIN000043341).
RESULTS
Five studies met the inclusion criteria. The number of total participants was 90, with 59 in the ingestion-PGPs group and 64 in the control group, because three studies were crossover-design trials. We found that ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides significantly improved exercise endurance (SMD [95% CI]: 0.58 [0.22-0.95], I = 0%). It was suggested that ginsenoside Rg (Rg) and PGPs extract containing Rg were significantly effective in improving exercise endurance (SMD [95% CI]: 0.70 [0.14-1.27], I = 30%) by additional analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review suggests that the ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides, especially Rg, is effective in improving exercise endurance in healthy adults. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required because imprecision and publication bias cannot be ignored in this systematic review.
Topics: Adult; Eating; Exercise; Humans; Japan; Nutritional Status; Panax
PubMed: 35334841
DOI: 10.3390/nu14061185 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2021spp. ( family) are widely used medicinal plants and they mainly include C.A. Meyer L. (American ginseng) and (notoginseng). Polysaccharides are the main active... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
spp. ( family) are widely used medicinal plants and they mainly include C.A. Meyer L. (American ginseng) and (notoginseng). Polysaccharides are the main active ingredients in these plants and have demonstrated diverse pharmacological functions, but comparisons of isolation methods, structural features, and bioactivities of these polysaccharides have not yet been reported. This review summarizes recent advances associated with 112 polysaccharides from ginseng, 25 polysaccharides from American ginseng, and 36 polysaccharides from notoginseng and it compares the differences in extraction, purification, structural features, and bioactivities. Most studies focus on ginseng polysaccharides and comparisons are typically made with the polysaccharides from American ginseng and notoginseng. For the extraction, purification, and structural analysis, the processes are similar for the polysaccharides from the three Panax species. Previous studies determined that 55 polysaccharides from ginseng, 18 polysaccharides from American ginseng, and 9 polysaccharides from notoginseng exhibited anti-tumor activity, immunoregulatory effects, anti-oxidant activity, and other pharmacological functions, which are mediated by multiple signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, or redox balance pathways. This review can provide new insights into the similarities and differences among the polysaccharides from the three Panax species, which can facilitate and guide further studies to explore the medicinal properties of the family used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Topics: Animals; Chemical Fractionation; Humans; Panax; Polysaccharides
PubMed: 34443587
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164997 -
Cells Jun 2020Neurodegenerative disorders, namely Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), are increasingly major... (Review)
Review
Neurodegenerative disorders, namely Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), are increasingly major health concerns due to the increasingly aged population worldwide. These conditions often share the same underlying pathological mechanisms, including elevated oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and the aggregation of proteins. Several studies have highlighted the potential to diminish the clinical outcomes of these disorders via the administration of herbal compounds, among which gintonin, a derivative of ginseng, has shown promising results. Gintonin is a noncarbohydrate/saponin that has been characterized as a lysophosphatidic acid receptor (LPA Receptor) ligand. Gintonin may cause a significant elevation in calcium levels [Ca2+]i intracellularly, which promotes calcium-mediated cellular effects via the modulation of ion channels and cell surface receptors, regulating the inflammatory effects. Years of research have suggested that gintonin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against different models of neurodegeneration, and these effects may be employed to tackle the neurological changes. Therefore, we collected the main scientific findings and comprehensively presented them, covering preparation, absorption, and receptor-mediated functions, including effects against Alzheimer's disease models, Parkinson's disease models, anxiety and depression-like models, and other neurological disorders, aiming to provide some insights for the possible usage of gintonin in the management of neurodegenerative conditions.
Topics: Calcium; Humans; Ligands; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Panax; Plant Extracts; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 32549286
DOI: 10.3390/cells9061464 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2022Cadmium (Cd) pollution poses potential safety risks for Panax notoginseng cultivation, a medicinal plant in Yunnan. Under exogenous Cd stress, field experiments were...
Cadmium (Cd) pollution poses potential safety risks for Panax notoginseng cultivation, a medicinal plant in Yunnan. Under exogenous Cd stress, field experiments were conducted to understand the effects of lime (0, 750, 2250 and 3750 kg hm) applied and oxalic acid (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mol L) leaves sprayed on Cd accumulation, antioxidant system and medicinal components of P. notoginseng. The results showed that Lime and foliar spray of oxalic acid were able to elevate Ca and alleviate Cd toxicity in P. notoginseng under Cd stress. The addition of lime and oxalic acid increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and alters osmoregulator metabolism. The most significant increase in CAT activities increased by 2.77 folds. And the highest increase of SOD activities was 1.78 folds under the application of oxalic acid. While MDA content decreased by 58.38%. There were very significant correlation with soluble sugar, free amino acid, proline and soluble protein. Lime and oxalic acid were able to increase calcium ions (Ca), decrease Cd content and improve the stress resistance of P. notoginseng, while increasing the production of total saponins and flavonoids. Cd content were the lowest, 68.57% lower than controls, and met the standard value (Cd ≤ 0.5 mg kg, GB/T 19086-2008). The proportion of SPN was 7.73%, which reached the highest level of all treatments, the flavonoids content increased significantly by 21.74%, which reached the medicinal standard value and optimal yield.
Topics: Antioxidants; Cadmium; Calcium Compounds; China; Flavonoids; Oxalic Acid; Oxides; Panax notoginseng
PubMed: 35794170
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15280-w -
BMC Genomics Jun 2023Panax ginseng is a perennial herb and one of the most widely used traditional medicines in China. During its long growth period, it is affected by various environmental...
BACKGROUND
Panax ginseng is a perennial herb and one of the most widely used traditional medicines in China. During its long growth period, it is affected by various environmental factors. Past studies have shown that growth-regulating factors (GRFs) and GRF-interacting factors (GIFs) are involved in regulating plant growth and development, responding to environmental stress, and responding to the induction of exogenous hormones. However, GRF and GIF transcription factors in ginseng have not been reported.
RESULTS
In this study, 20 GRF gene members of ginseng were systematically identified and found to be distributed on 13 chromosomes. The ginseng GIF gene family has only ten members, which are distributed on ten chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis divided these PgGRFs into six clades and PgGIFs into two clades. In total, 18 of the 20 PgGRFs and eight of the ten PgGIFs are segmental duplications. Most PgGRF and PgGIF gene promoters contain some hormone- and stress- related cis-regulatory elements. Based on the available public RNA-Seq data, the expression patterns of PgGRF and PgGIF genes were analysed from 14 different tissues. The responses of the PgGRF gene to different hormones (6-BA, ABA, GA3, IAA) and abiotic stresses (cold, heat, drought, and salt) were studied. The expression of the PgGRF gene was significantly upregulated under GA3 induction and three weeks of heat treatment. The expression level of the PgGIF gene changed only slightly after one week of heat treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study may be helpful for further study of the function of PgGRF and PgGIF genes and lay a foundation for further study of their role in the growth and development of Panax ginseng.
Topics: Phylogeny; Panax; Transcription Factors; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Hormones; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins; Gene Expression Profiling
PubMed: 37328802
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09435-w -
Nutrients May 2023Ginseng is one of the traditional herbal medicines for tonic. Gintonin is a new material derived from white/red ginseng and its lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) play as a...
Ginseng is one of the traditional herbal medicines for tonic. Gintonin is a new material derived from white/red ginseng and its lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) play as a ligand for G protein-coupled LPA receptors. Korean red ginseng marc (KRGM) is a by-product after the KRG processes. We developed a low-cost/high-efficiency method for KRGM gintonin production. We further studied the KRGM gintonin-mediated anti-skin aging effects under UVB exposure using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). KRGM gintonin yield is about 8%. KRGM gintonin contains a high amount of LPA C, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and phosphatidylcholine (PC), which is similar to white ginseng gintonin. KRGM gintonin induced [Ca] transient via LPA1/3 receptors and increased cell viability/proliferation under UVB exposure. The underlying mechanisms of these results are associated with the antioxidant action of KRGM gintonin. KRGM gintonin attenuated UVB-induced cell senescence by inhibiting cellular β-galactosidase overexpression and facilitated wound healing. These results indicate that KRGM can be a novel bioresource of KRGM gintonin, which can be industrially utilized as new material for skin nutrition and/or skin healthcare.
Topics: Humans; Plant Extracts; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Panax; Nutrients
PubMed: 37299538
DOI: 10.3390/nu15112574 -
Molecular Biology Reports Jul 2022Ginsenosides belong to a group of steroid glycosides that are extracted from the plant genus Panax (ginseng). This plant has been used for a long time for the treatment... (Review)
Review
Ginsenosides belong to a group of steroid glycosides that are extracted from the plant genus Panax (ginseng). This plant has been used for a long time for the treatment of a variety of disorders in traditional medicine. Recent studies have assessed the biological impact of Ginsenosides in cell culture or animal models. Animal studies have shown their beneficial impacts in the remedy of pathological conditions in different tissues. The ameliorating effects of Ginsenosides in diverse pathogenic conditions can be attributed to their effects on the production of reactive oxygen species. These substances mainly affect the activity of AMPK/AKT and PI3K/AKT pathways. The beneficial effects of Ginsenosides have been appraised in diabetes-related complications, spinal cord injury, cerebral ischemia, myocardial ischemia, and other disorders which are associated with oxidative stress. Moreover, these substances have been shown to interfere with the pathologic conditions during carcinogenesis. In the current study, we explain these impacts in two distinct sections including non-neoplastic conditions and neoplastic conditions.
Topics: Animals; Ginsenosides; Panax; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35220526
DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07270-y -
Journal of Natural Products Apr 2020and are members of the plant family Araliaceae, which is rich in structurally diverse polyacetylenes. In this work, we isolated and determined structures of 23...
and are members of the plant family Araliaceae, which is rich in structurally diverse polyacetylenes. In this work, we isolated and determined structures of 23 aliphatic C and C polyacetylenes, of which five are new compounds. Polyacetylenes have a suitable scaffold for binding to PPARγ, a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in metabolic regulation. Using a reporter gene assay, their potential was investigated to activate PPARγ. The majority of the polyacetylenes showed at least some PPARγ activity, among which oplopantriol B 18-acetate () and oplopantriol B () were the most potent partial PPARγ activators. By employing in silico molecular docking and comparing the activities of structural analogues, features are described that are involved in PPARγ activation, as well as in cytotoxicity. It was found that the type of C-1 to C-2 bond, the polarity of the terminal alkyl chain, and the backbone flexibility can impact bioactivity of polyacetylenes, while diol structures with a C-1 to C-2 double bond showed enhanced cytotoxicity. Since PPARγ activators have antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties, the present results may help explain some of the beneficial effects observed in the traditional use of extracts. Additionally, they might guide the polyacetylene-based design of future PPARγ partial agonists.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Models, Molecular; Molecular Docking Simulation; Molecular Structure; Oplopanax; PPAR gamma; Panax; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Polyynes; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 32129622
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00691