Determination of Seven Major Ginsenosides in Different Parts of Panax quinquefolius L.(American Ginseng) with Different Ages

Ginsenosides Rg1,Re,Rb1,Rc,Rb2,Rb3,and Rd in different parts of the American ginseng plant were investigated.The extraction process was a pressurized microwave-assisted extraction(PMAE).The seven ginsenosides were separated and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) with a ultraviolet(UV) detector,at 203 nm.The experiment results showed significant variations in the individual ginsenoside contents of the American ginseng in different parts and ages of the plant.The results demonstrated that the leaves,root hairs,and rhizomes of Panax quinquefolius L.contained higher ginsenoside contents,followed by the main roots and stems.The leaves contained dramatically higher levels of ginsenoside Rg1,Rb3,and Rd than the other four parts.Higher contents of Rb1 and Re were present in the main roots,root hairs,and rhizomes.The amount of ginsenoside content in the stems was the lowest.The total content of the seven ginsenosides in main roots,root hairs and rhizomes increased with the age of the plant.In contrast,the ginsenoside contents in the leaves and stems decreased with a year of growth.     

Effect of methyl jasmonate on the ginsenoside content of Panax ginseng adventitious root cultures and on the genes involved in triterpene biosynthesis

Methyl jasmonate (MJ)-induced changes of triterpene saponins in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer adventitious roots, and expression of the genes involved in triterpene biosynthesis, were analyzed. Compared with controls, expression of the squalene epoxidase and dammarenediol synthase genes was clearly upregulated and total saponin content increased in response to MJ. The highest total saponin content was obtained by use of 10 mg L^?1 MJ for 24 h, and was 4.76-fold greater than in the control group. Expression of the two genes associated with the cytochrome P450 family was no different from that in controls. The level of ginsenoside in the Rg group thus increased much less than that in the Rb group. This investigation showed that the total saponin content of ginseng adventitious root is related to gene expression in ginsenoside biosynthesis.     

Determination of Seven Major Ginsenosides in Different Parts of Panax quinquefolius L.（American Ginseng） with Different Ages

Ginsenosides Rgl, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, and Rd in different parts of the American ginseng plant were investigated. The extraction process was a pressurized microwave-assisted extraction（PMAE）. The seven ginsenosides were separated and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） with a ultraviolet（UV） detector, at 203 nm. The experiment results showed significant variations in the individual ginsenoside contents of the American ginseng in different parts and ages of the plant. The results demonstrated that the leaves, root hairs, and rhizomes of Panax quinquefolius L. contained higher ginsenoside contents, followed by the main roots and stems. The leaves contained dramatically higher levels of ginsenoside Rg1 Rb3, and Rd than the other four parts. Higher contents of Rb1 and Re were present in the main roots, root hairs, and rhizomes. The amount of ginsenoside content in the stems was the lowest. The total content of the seven ginsenosides in main roots, root hairs and rhizomes increased with the age of the plant. In contrast, the ginsenoside contents in the leaves and stems decreased with a year of growth.     

Comparison of Phytochemical Profiles of Wild and Cultivated American Ginseng Using Metabolomics by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) has been recognized as a valuable herb medicine, and ginsenosides are the most important components responsible for the health-beneficial effects. This study investigated the secondary metabolites responsible for the differentiation of wild and cultivated American ginsengs with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS)-based metabolomic approach. An in-house ginsenoside library was developed to facilitate data processing and metabolite identification. Data visualization methods, such as heatmaps and volcano plots, were utilized to extract discriminated ion features. The results suggested that the ginsenoside profiles of wild and cultivated ginsengs were significantly different. The octillol (OT)-type ginsenosides were present in greater abundance and diversity in wild American ginsengs; however, a wider distribution of the protopanaxadiol (PPD)-and oleanolic acid (OA)-type ginsenosides were found in cultivated American ginseng. Based on the tentative identification and semi-quantification, the amounts of five ginsenosides (i.e., notoginsenoside H, glucoginsenoside Rf, notoginsenoside R1, pseudoginsenoside RT2, and ginsenoside Rc) were 2.3–54.5 fold greater in wild ginseng in comparison to those in their cultivated counterparts, and the content of six ginsenosides (chicusetsusaponin IVa, malonylginsenoside Rd, pseudoginsenoside Rc1, malonylfloralginsenoside Rd6, Ginsenoside Rd, and malonylginsenoside Rb1) was 2.6–14.4 fold greater in cultivated ginseng compared to wild ginseng. The results suggested that the in-house metabolite library can significantly reduce the complexity of the data processing for ginseng samples, and UHPLC-HRMS is effective and robust for identifying characteristic components (marker compounds) for distinguishing wild and cultivated American ginseng.     

Determination of ginsenoside content in Asian and North American ginseng raw materials and finished products by high-performance liquid chromatography: single-laboratory validation

A single-laboratory validation study was conducted for the quantification of Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd in Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) raw materials and finished products by RP-HPLC. The extraction with aqueous methanol was optimized for whole root, powdered extract, and finished product (raw, tablet, and capsule matrixes) test articles. Root materials were treated with base to hydrolyze acidic malonyl ginsenosides to their neutral counterparts. Calibration curves for each ginsenoside were linear over the following ranges (microg/g): 5-394 for Rg1, 15-1188 for Re, 39-2981 for Rb1, 6-499 for Rc, 5-406 for Rb2, and 7-600 for Rd, all having a coefficient of determination (r2) of > or = 99.5%. The LOD for Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd was determined to be 1.06, 1.25, 2.19, 1.24, 1.27, and 1.70 microg/mL, respectively. Quantitative determinations performed with eight test materials by two analysts over 3 days (n = 12) resulted in RSDr values that ranged from 1.11 to 7.61%.     

A method for the analysis of ginsenosides, malonyl ginsenosides, and hydrolyzed ginsenosides using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and positive mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic separation coupled to diode array absorbance and positive mode electrospray mass spectrometric detection has been developed for the analysis of ginsenosides, malonyl ginsenosides, and hydrolyzed ginsenosides in extracts of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius). The method is capable of separating, identifying, and quantifying the predominant ginsenosides found in heated alcoholic extracts of Asian and American ginseng roots routinely sold as nutraceuticals. It also separates and identifies the malonyl ginsenosides often found in cold alcoholic extracts of ginseng root and has the potential to quantify these compounds if pure standards are available. Furthermore, it can separate and identify ginsenoside hydrolysis products such as those readily produced in situations mimicking gastric situations, including those used for dissolution studies (i.e., 0.1 N HCl, 37 degrees C).     

Differentiation of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Panax quinquefolius</Emphasis> grown in the USA and China using LC/MS-based chromatographic fingerprinting and chemometric approaches

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines in the world. Discriminating between P. quinquefolius grown in different countries is difficult using traditional quantitation methods. In this study, a liquid chromatographic mass spectrometry fingerprint combined with chemometric analysis was established to discriminate between American ginseng grown in the USA and China. Fifteen American ginseng samples grown in Wisconsin and 25 samples grown in China were used. The chromatographic fingerprints, representing the chemical compositions of the samples, made it possible to distinguish samples from the two locations. In addition, it was found that some ginsenosides varied widely from P. quinquefolius cultivated in these two countries. P. quinquefolius grown in the USA is higher in ginsenoside R_c, ginsenoside R_d, quinquenoside III/pseudo-ginsenoside RC₁, malonyl ginsenoside R_b1, and ginsenoside R_b2, but lower in ginsenoside R_b1 compared with P. quinquefolius grown in China. These ginsenosides may be responsible for the class separation seen using fingerprinting and chemometric approaches.     

Antiphotoaging and Antimelanogenesis Properties of Ginsenoside C‐Y,a Ginsenoside Rb2 Metabolite from American Ginseng PDD‐ginsenoside

Ginsenosides are compounds responsible for the primary pharmacological effects of American ginseng. Compound‐Y (C‐Y) is a minor ginsenoside and a metabolite of Panax ginseng. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of ginsenoside UVB‐irradiated NHDFs and its potential for use as an antihyperpigmentation agent through ginsenoside C‐Y as a functional food and cosmetic ingredient. Ginsenoside C‐Y is a natural antioxidant isolated from the American ginseng PDD‐ginsenoside. Our data showed that ginsenoside C‐Y block UVB‐exposed ROS, restrict MMP‐1 production and promote procollagen type I synthesis. Interestingly, ginsenoside C‐Y suppresses UVB‐exposed VEGF, and TNF‐α secretion, could be related with NFAT signal path. Ginsenoside C‐Y has exhibited photoaging effects by increasing TGF‐β1 level, fortifying Nrf2 nuclear translocation and restricting AP‐1 and MAPK phosphorylation. Assessment of the melanogenic response indicated that ginsenoside C‐Y inhibited melanin secretion and tyrosinase activity and decreased melanin content in Melan‐a and zebrafish embryos. These results suggest that ginsenoside C‐Y can be used as a potential botanical agent to protect premature skin from UVB‐induced photodamage and prevent skin hyperpigmentation.     

A STRATEGY FOR ISOLATING DIFFERENTIATIONINDUCING COMPLEMENTARY DNAs FROM HUMAN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER CELL LINE TREATED WITH RETINOIC ACID

Treatment of the human esophageal cancer cell line EC8712 with retinoic acid (RA) stopped the cell growth significantly and gave rise to terminal differentiation of the cells characterized by increased expression of involucrin gene. Two cDNA libraries were constructed from the parental and RA-treated cells respectively. Repeated subtractive hybridization of single-stranded plasmid DNA prepared from pooled colonies of cDNA library of the parental cells with cDNA probe generated from the RA-treated cells exhausted sequences common to both libraries of the cell. The unhybridized cDNA probe represented, therefore, the genes activated after RA-treatment. By using these enriched cDNAs as probe to screen the cDNA library constructed from the RA-treated cells thirty-nine positive colonies were obtained, of which two were specifically due to RA-induction. One of these two cDNA clones, designated as pRA538, has undergone further analysis and shown differentiation-inducing effect on parental cancer cells. A novel     

A strategy for isolating differentiation-inducing complementary DNAs from human esophageal cancer cell line treated with retinoic acid.

Treatment of the human esophageal cancer cell line EC8712 with retinoic acid (RA) stopped the cell growth significantly and gave rise to terminal differentiation of the cells characterized by increased expression of involucrin gene. Two cDNA libraries were constructed from the parental and RA-treated cells respectively. Repeated subtractive hybridization of single-stranded plasmid DNA prepared from pooled colonies of cDNA library of the parental cells with cDNA probe generated from the RA-treated cells exhausted sequences common to both libraries of the cell. The unhybridized cDNA probe represented, therefore, the genes activated after RA-treatment. By using these enriched cDNAs as probe to screen the cDNA library constructed from the RA-treated cells thirty-nine positive colonies were obtained, of which two were specifically due to RA-induction. One of these two cDNA clones, designated as pRA538, has undergone further analysis and shown differentiation-inducing effect on parental cancer cells. A novel strategy for cloning genes involved in terminal differentiation of cancer cells is developed.     

Cerium-Promoted Ginsenosides Accumulation by Regulating Endogenous Methyl Jasmonate Biosynthesis in Hairy Roots of Panax ginseng

Among rare earth elements, cerium has the unique ability of regulating the growth of plant cells and the biosynthesis of metabolites at different stages of plant development. The signal pathways of Ce³⁺-mediated ginsenosides biosynthesis in ginseng hairy roots were investigated. At a low concentration, Ce³⁺ improved the elongation and biomass of hairy roots. The Ce³⁺-induced accumulation of ginsenosides showed a high correlation with the reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as the biosynthesis of endogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ginsenoside key enzyme genes (PgSS, PgSE and PgDDS). At a Ce³⁺ concentration of 20 mg L⁻¹, the total ginsenoside content was 1.7-fold, and the total ginsenosides yield was 2.7-fold that of the control. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the ROS production rate were significantly higher than those of the control. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly activated within the Ce³⁺ concentration range of 10 to 30 mg L⁻¹. The activity of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) strengthened with the increasing concentration of Ce³⁺ in the range of 20–40 mg L⁻¹. The Ce³⁺ exposure induced transient production of superoxide anion (O₂^•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Together with the increase in the intracellular MeJA level and enzyme activity for lipoxygenase (LOX), there was an increase in the gene expression level of MeJA biosynthesis including PgLOX, PgAOS and PgJMT. Our results also revealed that Ce³⁺ did not directly influence PgSS, PgSE and PgDDS activity. We speculated that Ce³⁺-induced ROS production could enhance the accumulation of ginsenosides in ginseng hairy roots via the direct stimulation of enzyme genes for MeJA biosynthesis. This study demonstrates a potential approach for understanding and improving ginsenoside biosynthesis that is regulated by Ce³⁺-mediated signal transduction.     

An improved method for constructing a full-length enriched cDNA library using small amounts of total RNA as a starting material

We have developed an improved method for constructing a full-length cDNA library using small quantity of material by modifying the original oligo-capping method. In our devised method, total RNAs are used in sequential oligo-capping steps directly without preliminary mRNA purification. Using this method, we constructed full- length cDNA libraries from 100 mg of total RNA. These libraries contained 8x10(5) to 8x10(6) independent clones with average insert sizes of 2.0 kb. Moreover, the number of full-length cDNAs containing the translation initiation codon ATG in the constructed libraries was estimated to 60-70%. In addition, 54% of the known cDNAs had a longer 5' end than the corresponding genes in the public database. Our results show that the method can be effectively used to construct full-length enriched cDNA libraries, especially, if starting material is limited.     

固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测保健食品中9种人参皂苷

建立了以固相萃取结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)同时检测保健食品中9种原人参二醇型和原人参三醇型人参皂苷的方法.保健食品中人参皂苷经过提取后,通过Alumina-N/XAD-2 SPE柱净化,在Hypersil Gold C18色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.9μm)上分离,利用乙酸铵溶液(...     

液质联用技术分析西洋参花化学成分及H9c2心肌细胞损伤保护作用

高温高压转化前后西洋参花醇提液经正己烷、氯仿、乙酸乙酯和正丁醇分级萃取后共得10种不同极性组分，通过H9c2心肌细胞损伤模型筛选最佳活性组分，并对其进行抗氧化活性的测定以及化学组成分析，利用液质联用技术检测其处理前后的化学成分。结果表明，提取的10种活性组分中，高温高压转化后西洋参花乙酸乙酯萃取层(PEE)能够有效保护H9c2心肌细胞损伤，显著提高细胞存活率并降低细胞ROS水平，与高温高压转化处理前西洋参花乙酸乙酯层(OEE)相较，二者总体皂苷含量相近且均具有较强的抗氧化活性。通过液质分析，初步确定了PEE中所含高温高压转化裂解生成的Rk₁与Rg₅更具良好的心肌细胞损伤保护作用。     

The Effects of New Zealand Grown Ginseng Fractions on Cytokine Production from Human Monocytic THP-1 Cells

Pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines are important mediators that regulate the inflammatory response in inflammation-related diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate different New Zealand (NZ)-grown ginseng fractions on the productions of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Four NZ-grown ginseng fractions, including total ginseng extract (TGE), non-ginsenoside fraction extract (NGE), high-polar ginsenoside fraction extract (HPG), and less-polar ginsenoside fraction extract (LPG), were prepared and the ginsenoside compositions of extracts were analyzed by HPLC using 19 ginsenoside reference standards. The THP-1 cells were pre-treated with different concentrations of TGE, NGE, HPG, and LPG, and were then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TGE at 400 µg/mL significantly inhibited LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 productions. NGE did not show any effects on inflammatory secretion except inhibited IL-6 production at a high dose. Furthermore, LPG displayed a stronger effect than HPG on inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) productions. Particularly, 100 µg/mL LPG not only significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, but also remarkably enhanced the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. NZ-grown ginseng exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, which is mainly attributed to ginsenoside fractions (particularly less-polar ginsenosides) rather than non-saponin fractions.     

超高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱快速分析人参根中的皂甙化合物

建立了超高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱快速分析人参根部提取物中的皂甙类化合物的方法。色谱柱为HSS T3超高效液相色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm);以15 mmol/L甲酸铵水溶液-乙腈为流动相,采用二元梯度洗脱的方式对人参主根的皂甙提取物进行分离。基于待测目标物的多级质谱碎片离子、精确质量等信息,结合9种人参皂甙标准化合物的多级质谱碎片离子质谱图,共鉴定出人参主根提取物中27种皂甙类化合物。在确定的条件下,以9种人参皂甙标样为研究对象,进行了全面的方法学考察,发现它们的线性范围分别为0.33～9.00 mg/L (Rg1), 0.11～9.00 mg/L (Re), 0.02～2.00 mg/L (Rf), 0.07～6.00 mg/L (Rg2), 0.04～3.00 mg/L (Rb1, Rb3), 0.22～6.00 mg/L (Rc), 0.04～9.00 mg/L (Rb2, Rd);在中等加标浓度时,经内标物峰面积校正的9种皂甙标准化合物的峰面积的相对标准偏差(RSD)不高于11.3%;低、中、高3个质量浓度加标水平的回收率范围分别为90%～100%、98%～104%及96%～103%;最低检出限为3.5～18.5 μg/L。该方法具有高分辨、快捷、简便、可靠等特点,并成功地应用于分析同一产地、不同生长时间的人参干燥主根中皂甙的差异。可以预计此方法可进一步应用于各种人参原料和制品中皂甙的快速测定。     

反相高效液相色谱法测定人参皂甙Compound-K的含量

人参皂甙compound-K(C-K)在人参中的含量极低,但它是其他含量较高的人参皂甙Rb1和Rb2等在人体肠道内的主要 降解产物和最终吸收形式,具有很高的生物活性。采用反相高效液相色谱法测定了人参总皂甙发酵液中C-K的含量。色谱 条件为:反相C18柱;乙腈-水(体积比为48∶52)溶液为流动相,流速1.0 mL/min;紫外检测波长203 nm;柱温35 ℃;外标法 定量。结果表明:C-K的质量浓度为0.05~0.8 g/L时,其峰面积与质量浓度具有良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.9998。方法 的检测限(S/N=3)为2.5 mg/L,峰面积测定值的相对标准偏差(n=6)为2.20%。测定栽培人参总皂甙及三七茎叶总皂甙微生 物发酵液中C-K的平均加标回收率(n=3)分别为98.6%和99.7%。该方法快速简便,准确可靠,可用于C-K的制备研究及药物 开发。