Development of an ISSR-Derived SCAR Marker in Korean Ginseng Cultivars (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer)

Lee, Jei-Wan,Kim, Young-Chang,Jo, Ick-Hyun,Seo, A-Yeon,Lee, Jeong-Hoon,Kim, Ok-Tae,Hyun, Dong-Yun,Cha, Seon-Woo,Bang, Kyong-Hwan,Cho, Joon-Hyeong The Korean Society of Ginseng 2011 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.35 No.1

Recently, new ginseng cultivars having superior agricultural traits have been developed in Korea. For newly developed plant cultivars, the identification of distinctiveness is very important factors not only in plant cultivar management but also in breeding programs. Thus, eighty-five inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were applied to detect polymorphisms among six major Korean ginseng cultivars and two foreign ginsengs. A total of 197 polymorphic bands with an average 5.8 polymorphic bands and 2.9 banding patterns per assay unit across six Korean ginseng cultivars and foreign ginsengs from 236 amplified ISSR loci with an average 6.9 loci per assay unit were generated by 34 out of 85 ISSR primers. Three species of Panax ginseng including the Korean ginseng cultivars, P. quinquefolius, and P. notoginseng, could be readily discriminated using most tested primers. UBC-821, UBC-868, and UBC-878 generated polymorphic bands among the six Korean ginseng cultivars, and could distinguish them from foreign ginsengs. Sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker system was introduced in order to increase the reproducibility of the polymorphism. One SCAR marker, PgI821C650, was successfully converted from the randomly amplified polymorphism by UBC-821. It showed the expected dominant polymorphism among ginseng samples. In addition, the specific polymorphism for Sunwon was generated by treating Taq I restriction enzyme to polymerase chain reaction products of PgI821C650. These results will serve as useful DNA markers for identification of Korean ginseng, especially Sunwon cultivar, seed management, and molecular breeding program supplemented with marker-assisted selection.

Effects of Korean Red Ginseng on Cognitive and Motor Function: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial

Yeo, Hye-Bin,Yoon, Ho-Kyoung,Lee, Heon-Jeong,Kang, Seung-Gul,Jung, Ki-Young,Kim, Leen The Korean Society of Ginseng 2012 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.36 No.2

Ginseng has a long history of use for health enhancement, and there is some evidence from animal studies that it has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Korean red ginseng on cognitive performance in humans. A total of 15 healthy young males with no psychiatric or cognitive problems were selected based on an interview with a board-certified psychiatrist. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 4,500 mg red ginseng or placebo for a 2-week trial. There were 8 subjects in the red ginseng group and 7 subjects in the placebo group. All of the subjects were analyzed with the Vienna test system and a P300 event-related potential (ERP) test. There were no significant differences in the Vienna test system scores between the red ginseng group and the placebo group. In the event-related potential test, the C3 latency of the red ginseng group tended to decrease during the study period (p=0.005). After 2 wk, significant decreases were observed in the P300 latencies at Cz (p=0.008), C3 (p=0.005), C4 (p=0.002), and C mean (p=0.003) in the red ginseng group. Our results suggest that the decreased latency in ERP is associated with improved cognitive function. Further studies with a higher dosage of ginseng, a larger sample size, and a longer follow-up period are necessary to confirm the clinical efficacy of Korean red ginseng.

The Global Ginseng Market and Korean Ginseng

Baeg, In-Ho The Korean Society of Ginseng 2022 인삼문화 Vol.4 No.-

Ginseng and ginseng products are distributed in approximately 190 countries around the world. The size of the ginseng market varies by country and there are no accurate statistics on production and distribution amounts per country. Therefore, it is difficult to make predictions about the global ginseng market. Governments and ginseng trading companies are in need of comprehensive data that shows the current status of the ginseng market to help them establish effective import, export, and sales and marketing policies. To addressthis need, this study examines the approximate size of the world ginseng market based on estimates of recent quantities of ginseng distributed in specific country as well as production by major ginseng producing countries. In 2018, global ginseng production was about 86,223 tons based on fresh ginseng. China produced 50,164 tons, South Korea 23,265 tons, Canada 11,367 tons, the US 1,285 tons, Japan 30 tons, and other countries a combined 112 tons. The value of global ginseng production is estimated to be approximately $5,900 million, with $2,870 million (48.6%) in China, $2,489 million (42.2%) in South Korea, $478 million (8.1%) in Canada, $54 million (0.9%) in the USA, $4 million (0.1%) in Japan, and $5 million (0.1%) in other countries. The value of ginseng products consumed for the last five yearsin South Korea was $1,162 million in 2014, $1,280 million in 2015, $1,548 million in 2016, $1,638 million in 2017, and $1,762 million in 2018, showing that the market has been increasing in recent years. In particular, the Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC), the biggest global ginseng company in South Korea, recorded sales of $1,207 million in 2018. This represents about 69% of the South Korean ginseng market, and about 20% of global production. Since interest in alternative medicine and health food among consumers is increasing globally, the market for ginseng is expected to expand into the future.

Antioxidant Action of Ginseng : An hypothesis

Lee, D.W.,Sohn, H.O.,Lim, H.B.,Lee, Y.G.,Aprikian, A.G.,Aprikian, G.V. The Korean Society of Ginseng 1995 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.19 No.1

Antioxidant effect of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) was investigated in rats. Long-term administration of ginseng water extract protected the activity of liver cytosotic SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase from being significantly decreased with advancing age (p<0.05). It was more effective toward glutathione peroxidase than other antioxidant enzymes. However, the level of sulfhydryl compounds and its related enzymes such as glutathione reductase and glutathione-5-transferase was not significantly changed by the administration of ginseng. Liver microsomal formation of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide did not show a significant difference between two groups although it was slightly decreased with age, but lipid peroxidizability of microsomal membrane induced by a prooxidant was slightly lower in ginseng-treated rats. Interestingly, antioxidant capacity of plasma from ginseng treated rats on autooxidation of ok-brain homogenates was much higher than that of normal ones. However, resistance of RBC membrane against oxidative stress showed a similar tendency. The content of serum TBA reactive substances lowered consistently in the rats treated with r ginseng at all corresponding age and a significant difference between two groups was found at 24 months of age (p<0.05). Ginseng extract protected lipid peroxidation in brain and liver. This protection was more effective in the stressed rats imposed by immobilization than normal ones. In conclusion, ginseng water extract protected the age related deterioration of major antioxidant enzymes, and this effect was more striking with increasing duration of treatment. This comprehensive antioxidant action of ginseng seems to be bra certain action of ginseng other than a direct antioxidant action, which might be a long term normalizing effect through the harmony of various components.

Korean Red Ginseng: Qualitative and Quantitative Benefits on Helicobacter pylori Infection

Chung, Jun-Won,Kim, Yoon-Jae,Lee, So-Jung,Hahm, Ki-Baik The Korean Society of Ginseng 2010 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.34 No.2

Ginseng has been reported to reduce the risk of cancer in diverse organs, including the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, lung, liver, pancreas, ovary, colon, rectum, and stomach, as demonstrated in clinical and epidemiological studies. studies, base on which findings, Panax ginseng has been classified as a "non-organ-specific cancer preventive." However, the recent keen interest in traditional medicinal herbs has been frequently questioned, about exact mode of action and the use of panaceic compounds has been a prime issue discussed in terms of complementary and alternative medicine. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the mitigating effects of Korean red ginseng on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated atrophic changes and carcinogenesis; However, evidence-based medicine, consisting of large-scale or well designed clinical studies, is still warranted whether Korean red ginseng is to be recognized as an essential therapeutic strategy regarding a "H. pylori-associated gastric cancer preventive." Specifically, comprehensive clinical trials of Korean red ginseng are needed to demonstrate that mucosal regeneration in patients with atrophic gastritis is feasible using Korean red ginseng supplements after the eradication of H. pylori infection. Ginseng is a good example of a natural herb and its ubiquitous properties may include the reduction or delay of inflammation carcinogenesis. Korean red ginseng contains ample amounts of active ginsenosides and we have demonstrated their effects in in vitro and in vivo studies with positive outcomes. In this review, the quantitative and qualitative benefits of Korean red ginseng in the treatment of H. pylori infection are described.

Molecular Identification of Korean Mountain Ginseng Using an Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS)

In, Jun-Gyo,Kim, Min-Kyeoung,Lee, Ok-Ran,Kim, Yu-Jin,Lee, Beom-Soo,Kim, Se-Young,Kwon, Woo-Seang,Yang, Deok-Chun The Korean Society of Ginseng 2010 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.34 No.1

Expensive herbs such as ginseng are always a possible target for fraudulent labeling. New mountain ginseng strains have occasionally been found deep within mountain areas and commercially traded at exorbitant prices. However, until now, no scientific basis has existed to distinguish such ginseng from commonly cultivated ginseng species other than by virtue of being found within deep mountain areas. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the internal transcribed spacer has been shown to be an appropriate method for the identification of the most popular species (Panax ginseng) in the Panax ginseng genus. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been identified between three newly found mountain ginseng (KGD4, KGD5, and KW1) and already established Panax species. Specific PCR primers were designed from this SNP site within the sequence data and used to detect the mountain ginseng strains via multiplex PCR. The established multiplex-PCR method for the simultaneous detection of newly found mountain ginseng strains, Korean ginseng, and foreign ginseng in a single reaction was determined to be effective. This study is the first report of scientific discrimination of "mountain ginsengs" and describes an effective method of identification for fraud prevention and for uncovering the possible presence of other, cheaper ginseng species on the market.

Serum IgE Immune Response After the Exposure to Korean Ginseng

Lee, Jong-Wha,Park, Kyeong-Mee,Park, Ki-Hyun The Korean Society of Ginseng 1994 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.18 No.2

To assess a polential relationship of Korean ginseng to allergic reactions, the effect of Korean ginseng on the total IgE in serum as an allergologic parameter was investigated in humans. Serum total IgE levels were measured in 8 subjects who have been taking ginseng for more than 5 years, 4 subjects of weak constitution, 10 newly hired workers in the ginseng processing industry and 7 normal subjects unexposed to Korean ginseng as control group. Blood samples were taken before and after the exposure to Korean ginseng. Total IgE levels after the exposure to Korean ginseng were not significantly different from those before the exposure within each group. And also, the IgE levels of control subjects were not significantly different compared with those of other groups. These results suggest that the exposure to Korean ginseng dose not affect significantly the IgE immune response of the subjects.

Characterization of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer): History, preparation method, and chemical composition

Lee, Sang Myung,Bae, Bong-Seok,Park, Hee-Weon,Ahn, Nam-Geun,Cho, Byung-Gu,Cho, Yong-Lae,Kwak, Yi-Seong The Korean Society of Ginseng 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.4

It has been reported that Korean Red Ginseng has been manufactured for 1,123 y as described in the GoRyeoDoGyeong record. The Korean Red Ginseng manufactured by the traditional preparation method has its own chemical component characteristics. The ginsenoside content of the red ginseng is shown as Rg1: 3.3 mg/g, Re: 2.0 mg/g, Rb1: 5.8 mg/g, Rc:1.7 mg/g, Rb2: 2.3 mg/g, and Rd: 0.4 mg/g, respectively. It is known that Korean ginseng generally consists of the main root and the lateral or fine roots at a ratio of about 75:25. Therefore, the red ginseng extract is prepared by using this same ratio of the main root and lateral or fine roots and processed by the historical traditional medicine prescription. The red ginseng extract is prepared through a water extraction ($90^{\circ}C$ for 14-16 h) and concentration process (until its final concentration is 70-73 Brix at $50-60^{\circ}C$). The ginsenoside contents of the red ginseng extract are shown as Rg1: 1.3 mg/g, Re: 1.3 mg/g, Rb1: 6.4 mg/g, Rc:2.5 mg/g, Rb2: 2.3 mg/g, and Rd: 0.9 mg/g, respectively. Arginine-fructose-glucose (AFG) is a specific amino-sugar that can be produced by chemical reaction of the process when the fresh ginseng is converted to red ginseng. The content of AFG is 1.0-1.5% in red ginseng. Acidic polysaccharide, which has been known as an immune activator, is at levels of 4.5-7.5% in red ginseng. Therefore, we recommended that the chemical profiles of Korean Red Ginseng made through the defined traditional method should be well preserved and it has had its own chemical characteristics since its traditional development.

Discrimination of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) cultivar Chunpoong and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) using the auxin repressed protein gene

Kim, Jong-Hak,Kim, Min-Kyeoung,Wang, Hongtao,Lee, Hee-Nyeong,Jin, Chi-Gyu,Kwon, Woo-Saeng,Yang, Deok-Chun The Korean Society of Ginseng 2016 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.40 No.4

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the most important medicinal plants in the Orient. Among nine cultivars of P. ginseng, Chunpoong commands a much greater market value and has been planted widely in Korea. Chunpoong has superior quality "Chunsam" ($1^{st}$ grade ginseng) when made into red ginseng. Methods: A rapid and reliable method for discriminating the Chunpoong cultivar was developed by exploiting a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the auxin repressed protein gene of nine Korean ginseng cultivars using specific primers. Results: An SNP was detected between Chunpoong and other cultivars, and modified allele-specific primers were designed from this SNP site to specifically identify the Chunpoong cultivar and P. quinquefolius via multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Conclusion: These results suggest that great impact to prevent authentication of precise Chunpoong and other cultivars using the auxin repressed protein gene. We therefore present an effective method for the authentication of the Chunpoong cultivar of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius.

Study on the Response of Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) to the Herbicide 2,4-D Application

Jo, Jae-Seong The Korean Society of Ginseng 1990 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.14 No.2

Various rates of 2,4-D were sprayed on 2 and 3 year old ginseng plants as foliar spray to define the critical concentration. No apparent plant injury was noticable for those ginseng plants when application concentration of 2,4-D doubled the recommended dosage (70 ml/10a). Neither abnormal foliar change occurred nor any inhibition in leaf and stem growth was resulted for the plants treated with 2,4-D concentrated two times of the recommended dosage. When the rates of 2,4-D application were increased greater than this level, injury ratings increased linearly with the rates of 2,4-D application and plant you was inhibited. Ethylene gas was not produced from the ginseng plant treated with 2 times concentrated 2,4-D, however the ginseng plants produced 0.03 to 0.09 ppm ethylene gas when the rate of application were increased 3 and 4 times, respectively. On the other hand the soybean treated with the recommended amount of 21-D produced ethylene gas of 10-20 times higher compared with ginseng plants and died. Photosynthesis ability of the ginseng leaf was significantly decreased by 2,4-D foliar application but it was recovered 4 weeks after 2,4-D foliar treatment. The herbicide 2,4-D was applicated to 2,3 and 4 years old ginseng plants as foliar spray with the rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times of the recommended dosage to define the effects of 2,4-D on the plant growth and root yield of the ginseng. There were no significant differences in the leaf and stem growth between untreated and 2,4-D treated plant. Berry maturing of 3 and 4 year old ginseng was not influenced by 2,4-D. The root weight of 4 years old ginseng plant was not reduced by application of 2,4-D concenrated 2 times of the recommended dosage, Application time of the herbicide 2,4-D had no effects on the leaf or stem growth of 2,3 and 4 year old year old ginseng plants. When the ginseng seedling was treated with 2,4-D, detrimental phenomena as stem bending and docoration of seedling leaf margin occurred, but stem bending was recovered in a few day s. Keywords Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, 2,4-D , herbicide.