Background : Osteoclasts are differentiated from the monocytes/macrophages of hematopoietic cells, that excessive activities of bone-resorbing giant cells leads to pathological bone diseases such as osteoporosis (contained rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune arthritis). Therefore, it is very important to suppress loss of bone mass by deactivation of osteoclast differentiation. In this context, we evaluated for the effects of black ginseng (BG) extract on TRAP activity, proliferation and differentiation in RANKL-induced osteoclastic RAW264.7 cells. Methods and Results : The aim of this study is to figure out the potential anti-osteoporosis effects and the underlying mechanism of BG extract in RANKL-induced osteoclastic RAW264.7 cells. The ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, Rk1 and Rh4 content of BG was increased more than Red ginseng (RG). The extracts of BG markedly reduced the activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive (TRAP+) multinucleated cells from osteoclastic RAW264.7 cells, without cytotoxicity. BG clearly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by decreased calcitonin and TRAP (p < 0.01). Furthermore, ginseonside Rg5 and Rk1 significantly inhibited TRAP activity in formation of osteoclastic differentiation (p < 0.01). It is also found that Ginseonside Rg5 and Rk1 mixture more inhibits osteoclast differentiation activity. Conclusion : Our results suggest that Black ginseng extract has an anti-osteoporosis effects in bone disease when administered as a food supplement and has potential as a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Background : The human patch test is a method used to evaluate potential skin irritation after contact with a cosmetic materials. Pectin lyase-modified red ginseng extract (GS-E3D) is a newly developed ginsenoside Rd-enriched ginseng extract. This study was designed to investigate the skin safety of GS-E3D in human patch test. Methods and Results : Thirty two female volunteers were tested with GS-E3D. GS-E3D (20 ㎕) was applied to occlusive patch test devices and was then applied onto the back of subject with normal skin for 24 hours. Cutaneous irritation responses were evaluated and graded according to criterion of International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) at 30 min, 24 hours, and 48 hours after removing of GS-E3D patch. The average age of subjects was 47.3 ± 9.3 years. Skin reactivity calculated from irritation score in GS-E3D treated group was 0.51 and skin irritation score of no application group was 0, respectively. Skin irritancy was no response in both GS-E3D treated group and no application group. From above data, GS-E3D was identified as a non-irritant according to ICDRG guideline that skin irritation score of ‘0.00 - 0.75’ is a non-irritant. Conclusion : These results indicate that GS-E3D can be useful as a safe cometic ingredient.

Background : Pectin lyase-modified red ginseng extract (GS-E3D) is a newly developed ginsenoside Rd-enriched ginseng extract. This study was designed to investigate the acute oral and dermal toxicity of GS-E3D in rat. Methods and Results : The acute oral toxic effects of GS-E3D in female SD rats were examined at dosages of 300 ㎎/㎏ and 2,000 ㎎/㎏. In acute dermal toxicity study, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 ㎎/㎏ of GS-E3D were applied onto the shaved skin of male and female SD rats. The weights of rats were recorded at 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days and clinical observation were checked once a day for a period of 14 days. All rats were scarified on 14th day and complete gross examination was conducted to detect any gross change of organs after necropsy. GS-E3D did not produce orally or dermally treatment-related clinical signs of toxicity or mortality in all rats during the 14-day observation period. The oral and dermal LD50 values of GS-E3D were over 2,000 ㎎/㎏ in rat. The oral and dermal administration of GS-E3D revealed no significant change in body weight and gross pathology examination compared to control group. Conclusion : These results indicate that GS-E3D can be used as a food and cosmetic materials without critically adverse effect.

Background : Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and genetic factors. Also, hyperinsulinemia directly promotes fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Therefore, it is very important to suppress the most common risks of NAFLD, such as obesity and insulin resistance. In this context, we evaluated for the effects of black ginseng (BG) extract on lipid accumulation inhibition and degradation in hepatocytes. Methods and Results : The aim of this study is to figure out the potential anti-lipogenic effects and the underlying mechanism of BG extract in a cellular-, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) animal model associated with NAFLD. T2DM animal used C57BL/KsJ db/db mouse (M. 6 wk, n = 56), treated with extract of BG and Red ginseng (RG) (each 100 and 900 ㎎/ ㎏/day, p.o) for 6 weeks. BG markedly reduced palmitate-induced intracellular lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. On histology of liver tissues of T2DM animal, macrovesicular lipid droplets in cytoplasm of hepatocytes were decreased both RG and BG-treated groups. In liver tissue, BG-treated groups suppressed CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) expression, and SREBP-1c mediated induction of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) proteins related to the induction of adipose differentiation. Futhermore, adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity was significantly increased in BG-treated groups compared to RG-treated groups. It is also found that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) highly expressed in BG-treated groups. Conclusion : Our results suggest that black ginseng extract has an anti-adipogenic and anti-lipogenic effects in the liver when administered as a food supplement and has potential as a therapeutic agent for obesity and T2DM induced NAFLD.

Background : Malonyl ginsenoside content of the Panax ginseng is known to account for 35% to 60% of total ginsenosides content. However, its distribution by ginseng part has not been studied. In this study, four kinds of malonyl ginsenosides were compared in Korean white ginseng part using the purified malonyl ginsenoside standards in our laboratory. Methods and Results : White ginseng was prepared by the air drying (50℃, 48h) or freeze drying (-70℃, 48h) methods form 4-year-old ginseng. Malonyl ginsenoside content in total ginsenosides were similar in air dried and freeze dried white ginseng, 58% and 62%, respectively. Therefore, malonyl ginsenoside contents in main, lateral, and fine root, and in the main root without skin and skin of main root prepared by freeze dried method were compared. Malonyl ginsenosides (m-Rb1, m-Rb2, m-Rc and m-Rd) and total ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd, m-Rb1, m-Rb2, m-Rc and m-Rd) were 6.75 and 14.15 mg/g in main root, 14.15 and 26.35 mg/g in lateral root, 46.95 and 84.15 mg/g in fine root. Malonyl ginsenoside contents in skin of main root was 20.08 mg/g, while its contents of the main root without skin was 2.58 mg/g. Conclusion : As a result, the parts each air drying the sample was confirmed that the ratio of the distribution of malonyl ginsenoside (main root : lateral : fine root = 18.7 : 11.1 : 16.2), and distribution ratio of main root, skin of main root, lateral, skin of lateral was found to be (12.2: 14.6 14.3: 3.7). Malonyl ginsenoside content was the highest in fine root, compared to the main or lateral root. Malonyl ginsenoside contents in skin of root was higher than those of the main root without skin. These results is expected to help establish an efficient extraction and standardization. Malonyl ginsenoside analysis of White ginseng using HPLC expects that the standardization process can be established.