Ginseng berry polysaccharides on inflammation-associated colon cancer: inhibiting T-cell differentiation, promoting apoptosis, and enhancing the effects of 5-fluorouracil

Wang, Chong-Zhi,Hou, Lifei,Wan, Jin-Yi,Yao, Haiqiang,Yuan, Jinbin,Zeng, Jinxiang,Park, Chan Woong,Kim, Su Hwan,Seo, Dae Bang,Shin, Kwang-Soon,Zhang, Chun-Feng,Chen, Lina,Zhang, Qi-Hui,Liu, Zhi,Sava-Se The Korean Society of Ginseng 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.2

Background: Ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in treating various medical conditions. Chronic gut inflammation is a recognized factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this project, Asian ginseng berry polysaccharide preparations were used to assess their effects on CRC and related immune regulation mechanisms. Methods: Ginseng berry polysaccharide extract (GBPE) and purified ginseng berry polysaccharide portion (GBPP) were used to evaluate their activities on human HCT-116 and HT-29 CRC cell proliferation. Interleukin-8 secretion analysis was performed on HT-29 cells. Naive CD4 cell isolation and T-helper cell differentiation were performed and determined using flow cytometry for Th1 and Treg in addition to cell cycle and apoptotic investigation. Results: GBPE and GBPP significantly inhibited interleukin-8 secretion and cancer cell proliferation, inhibited CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ cell (Th1) differentiation, and decreased CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ cell (Treg) differentiation. Compared to the GBPE, GBPP showed more potent antiinflammatory activities on the malignant cells. This is consistent with the observation that GBPP can also inhibit Th1-cell differentiation better, suggesting that it has an important role in antiinflammation, whereas Treg cells hinder the body's immune response against malignancies. Supported by cell cycle and apoptosis data, GBPE and GBPP, at various degrees, remarkably enhanced the anticancer activities of 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Data from this project suggested that Asian ginseng berry potentially has clinical utility in managing enteric inflammation and suppressing CRC through immunomodulation mechanisms.

Ginseng berry polysaccharides on infl ammation-associated colon cancer: inhibiting T-cell differentiation, promoting apoptosis, and enhancing the effects of 5-fl uorouracil

Chong-Zhi Wang,Lifei Hou,Jin-Yi Wan,Haiqiang Yao,Jinbin Yuan,Jinxiang Zeng,Chan Woong Park,Su Hwan Kim,Dae Bang Seo,Kwang-Soon Shin,Chun-Feng Zhang,Lina Chen,Qi-Hui Zhang,Zhi Liu,Clara Sava-Segal,Chun 고려인삼학회 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.2

Background: Ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in treating various medical conditions. Chronic gut inflammation is a recognized factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In thisproject, Asian ginseng berry polysaccharide preparations were used to assess their effects on CRC andrelated immune regulation mechanisms. Methods: Ginseng berry polysaccharide extract (GBPE) and purified ginseng berry polysaccharideportion (GBPP) were used to evaluate their activities on human HCT-116 and HT-29 CRC cell proliferation. Interleukin-8 secretion analysis was performed on HT-29 cells. Naive CD4 cell isolation and T-helper celldifferentiation were performed and determined using flow cytometry for Th1 and Treg in addition to cellcycle and apoptotic investigation. Results: GBPE and GBPP significantly inhibited interleukin-8 secretion and cancer cell proliferation,inhibited CD4þIFN-gþ cell (Th1) differentiation, and decreased CD4þFoxP3þ cell (Treg) differentiation. Compared to the GBPE, GBPP showed more potent antiinflammatory activities on the malignant cells. This is consistent with the observation that GBPP can also inhibit Th1-cell differentiation better, suggestingthat it has an important role in antiinflammation, whereas Treg cells hinder the body’s immuneresponse against malignancies. Supported by cell cycle and apoptosis data, GBPE and GBPP, at variousdegrees, remarkably enhanced the anticancer activities of 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Data from this project suggested that Asian ginseng berry potentially has clinical utility inmanaging enteric inflammation and suppressing CRC through immunomodulation mechanisms.

Determination of polyphenolic compounds in grape seed extracts using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography

Wang, Chong-Zhi,Osinski, Joachim,Shao, Zuo-Hui,Basila, Daniel,Kim, Stephen,Yuan, Chun-Su Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2004 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.4 No.4

Oxidative stress is associated with many kinds of chronic diseases. Antioxidants such as polyphenols are compounds that protect cells against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species. Grape seeds are considered good resources of polyphenols, and grape seed extracts have a very strong antioxidant effect. In the present study, we established a simple gradient reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography method to determine polyphenol content from three different grape seed resources. An ODS (2), $150\;{\times}\;3.2\;mm$ column has been employed, and six polyphenols have been determined: gallic acid, protochatechuic acid, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin B2, and epicatechin gallate. Catechin and epicatechin were the main polyphenol compounds in all three extracts. The amount of procyanidin B2 was higher in Extract 1 (from a company of China), while Extract 2 (extracted in our lab) and Extract 3 (from a company of USA) contained higher proportions of epicatechin gallate. For the total polyphenol content, Extract 1 was much higher than that of Extract 2 and 3. The results suggest that the dietary dose of grape seed extracts from different resources should be adjusted according to polyphenol content.

Remarkable impact of amino acids on ginsenoside transformation from fresh ginseng to red ginseng

Zhi Liu,Xin Wen,Chong-Zhi Wang,Wei Li,Wei-Hua Huang,Juan Xia,Chang-Chun Ruan,Chun-Su Yuan 고려인삼학회 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.3

Background: Amino acids are one of the major constituents in Panax ginseng, including neutral aminoacid, acidic amino acid, and basic amino acid. However, whether these amino acids play a role in ginsenosideconversion during the steaming process has not yet been elucidated. Methods: In the present study, to elucidate the role of amino acids in ginsenoside transformation fromfresh ginseng to red ginseng, an amino acids impregnation pretreatment was applied during thesteaming process at 120 C. Acidic glutamic acid and basic arginine were used for the acid impregnationtreatment during the root steaming. The ginsenosides contents, pH, browning intensity, and free aminoacids contents in untreated and amino acidetreated P. ginseng samples were determined. Results: After 2 h of steaming, the concentration of less polar ginsenosides in glutamic acidetreatedP. ginseng was significantly higher than that in untreated P. ginseng during the steaming process. However,the less polar ginsenosides in arginine-treated P. ginseng increased slightly. Meanwhile, free aminoacids contents in fresh P. ginseng, glutamic acid-treated P. ginseng, and arginine-treated P. ginsengsignificantly decreased during steaming from 0 to 2h. The pH also decreased in P. ginseng samples at hightemperatures. The pH decrease in red ginseng was closely related to the decrease in basic amino acidslevels during the steaming process. Conclusion: Amino acids can remarkably affect the acidity of P. ginseng sample by altering the pH value. Theywere the main influential factors for the ginsenoside transformation. These results are useful in elucidatingwhy andhowsteaming induces the structural change of ginsenoside in P. ginseng and also provides an effectiveand green approach to regulate the ginsenoside conversion using amino acids during the steaming process.

Remarkable impact of amino acids on ginsenoside transformation from fresh ginseng to red ginseng

Liu, Zhi,Wen, Xin,Wang, Chong-Zhi,Li, Wei,Huang, Wei-Hua,Xia, Juan,Ruan, Chang-Chun,Yuan, Chun-Su The Korean Society of Ginseng 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.3

Background: Amino acids are one of the major constituents in Panax ginseng, including neutral amino acid, acidic amino acid, and basic amino acid. However, whether these amino acids play a role in ginsenoside conversion during the steaming process has not yet been elucidated. Methods: In the present study, to elucidate the role of amino acids in ginsenoside transformation from fresh ginseng to red ginseng, an amino acids impregnation pretreatment was applied during the steaming process at 120℃. Acidic glutamic acid and basic arginine were used for the acid impregnation treatment during the root steaming. The ginsenosides contents, pH, browning intensity, and free amino acids contents in untreated and amino acid-treated P. ginseng samples were determined. Results: After 2 h of steaming, the concentration of less polar ginsenosides in glutamic acid-treated P. ginseng was significantly higher than that in untreated P. ginseng during the steaming process. However, the less polar ginsenosides in arginine-treated P. ginseng increased slightly. Meanwhile, free amino acids contents in fresh P. ginseng, glutamic acid-treated P. ginseng, and arginine-treated P. ginseng significantly decreased during steaming from 0 to 2h. The pH also decreased in P. ginseng samples at high temperatures. The pH decrease in red ginseng was closely related to the decrease in basic amino acids levels during the steaming process. Conclusion: Amino acids can remarkably affect the acidity of P. ginseng sample by altering the pH value. They were the main influential factors for the ginsenoside transformation. These results are useful in elucidating why and how steaming induces the structural change of ginsenoside inP. ginseng and also provides an effective and green approach to regulate the ginsenoside conversion using amino acids during the steaming process.

Tri-objective co-evolutionary algorithm and application of suspension parameter design based on lizard behavior bionics

Song Chong Zhi,Zhao Youqun,Wang Lu 대한기계학회 2014 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.28 No.12

Using bionic research based on three types of male side-blotched lizard behavior and multiple survival mechanisms, a co-evolutionaryalgorithm for tri-objective optimization is proposed. This method takes three design objectives as three lizards and maps the design variablesas the lizard population’s chromosomes; three types of lizard self-genetic factors are formed from the chromosomes. Based on thesethree types of lizard behavior, the mapping relationship between a self-adaptive function and the three objective functions is established. A new chromosome is made with the optimal genes. Based on a convergence condition, the optimal chromosome is obtained with multigenerationevolution. Considering road surface damage and ride comfort, it sets an acceleration RMS, with the tire’s relative dynamicload and suspension's maximum dynamic stroke as multi-objective functions, which establishes the tri-objective optimization model. Thecalculation results show the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed method.

Chemical and Pharmacological Studies of Saponins with a Focus on American Ginseng

Chun-Su Yuan,Chong-Zhi Wang,Sheila M. Wicks,Lian-Wen Qi 고려인삼학회 2010 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.34 No.3

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals. It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both ginsengs. Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best selling herbs in the US, and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years. In this article, after a brief introduction of the distribution and cultivation of American ginseng, we discuss chemical analysis of saponins from these two ginsengs, i.e., their similarities and differences. Subsequently, we review pharmacological effects of the saponins, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects. These investigations were mainly derived from American ginseng studies. We also discuss evidence suggesting that chemical modifications of ginseng saponins would be a valuable approach to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.

Chemical and Pharmacological Studies of Saponins with a Focus on American Ginseng

Yuan, Chun-Su,Wang, Chong-Zhi,Wicks, Sheila M.,Qi, Lian-Wen The Korean Society of Ginseng 2010 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.34 No.3

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals. It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both ginsengs. Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best selling herbs in the US, and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years. In this article, after a brief introduction of the distribution and cultivation of American ginseng, we discuss chemical analysis of saponins from these two ginsengs, i.e., their similarities and differences. Subsequently, we review pharmacological effects of the saponins, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects. These investigations were mainly derived from American ginseng studies. We also discuss evidence suggesting that chemical modifications of ginseng saponins would be a valuable approach to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.

The anti-hyperglycemic property of different ginseng partitions

Xie, Jing-Tian,Wang, Chong-Zhi,Kim, Stephen,Yuan, Chun-Su Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2005 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.5 No.1

Ginseng is a popular medicinal plant highly valued throughout the world. Asian ginseng is one of the most common species of ginseng. It has long occupied a significant position in oriental medicine and has been justified its name as the 'king herb'. As a nutritional supplement, ginseng is an extremely common and popular herbal medicine in the United States and Canada in recent decades. The multiple constituents of ginseng possess equally multifaceted pharmacological actions as demonstrated by numerous studies. Ginseng root and its constituents influenced the central nervous system, endocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal system, sexual, renal organ and immune system, etc. One important action is its anti-hyperglycemic effect. Previous studies on ginseng demonstrate that only the root of ginseng has been used in the treatment of diabetes, while the other parts of ginseng plant were always neglected. Recently, we analyzed the constituents of ginseng berry, leaf and discovered that ginseng berry, leaf extracts and its total ginsenosides have the ability to reduce hyperglycemia and body weight and increase the peripheral glucose utilization in obese or diabetic ob/ob or db/db mice. Our data suggest that all parts of ginseng plant, including root, berry, leaf and stem exhibit potent anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects and may provide an opportunity to develop a novel class of anti-diabetic agents.

Asian Ginseng Enhances the Anti-proliferative Effect of 5-Fluorouracil on Human Colorectal Cancer: Comparison between White and Red Ginseng

Anna B. Fishbein,Chong-Zhi Wang,Xiao-Li Li,Sangeeta R. Mehendale,Shi Sun,Han H. Aung,Chun-Su Yuan 대한약학회 2009 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.32 No.4

Previous studies showed that Asian ginseng, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, may have anti-cancer properties. However, there is limited data exploring the use of Asian ginseng as an adjuvant to chemotherapy, and minimal mechanistic studies related to their possible synergistic activities. In this study, the content of 8 ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1 and Rg3, in the extracts of white ginseng (WG) and red ginseng (RG) were determined by HPLC. Using HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells, we compared the efficacy of WG and RG. We evaluated the synergy between ginseng and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and explored the mechanism of their anti-proliferative effects. As single extract, WG or RG used at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL, inhibited HCT-116 cell proliferation in a concentration-related manner. WG at 0.2 mg/mL did not show obvious synergy with 5-FU co-treatment, while RG at 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL significantly enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of 5-FU at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 μM (P < 0.05). Using flow cytometric assay, RG 0.3 mg/mL did not affect cancer cell apoptotic induction activity. However, the RG induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, while 5-FU arrested the cell in the S phase. Different ginsenoside profiles are responsible for the observed differences in pharmacological effects. The effects of 8 ginsenosides on HCT-116 cells were assayed. Rd and Rg3 showed positive anti-proliferative effect. Our data suggested a potential for RG as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer, via a synergistic action.