Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, induces toxicity in cells and in experimental animals. Ginseng extracts were evaluated to determine whether they can inhibit BPA-induced toxicity. The antioxidant activity of fresh ginseng extract (WGE), dried white ginseng extract (DGE), and dried red ginseng extract (RGE) was measured using the DPPH assay. WGE and RGE increased DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Cell viability was measured in HepG2 cells following treatment with BPA and ginseng extracts using the MTT assay. DGE and RGE increased HepG2 cell viability following treatment with 200 μM BPA. RGE reduced levels of biochemical markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) that increased in mice following treatment with BPA. In addition, the regeneration and proliferation of damaged liver cells were significantly increased in RGE-treated mice. Moreover, RGE inhibited hepatic fibrosis in the surrounding area and in the central vein of the liver microstructure. RGE also significantly inhibited BPA-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, RGE protected liver damage and regenerated liver tissues in BPA-treated animals. These results show that RGE may represent a potential candidate drug for the treatment and prevention of liver damage caused by environmental toxins.

본 연구는 알칼리수를 이용한 홍삼추출물의 품질특성을 조사하였다. 알칼리수의 미네랄 함량은 칼슘이 로 가장 높았으며, 이온화 무기염류의 첨가량이 높을수록 알칼리도는 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. AKRGE 3, 6 및 9의 pH는 , 당도 , 가용성 고형분 , 갈색도 3.0으로 나타났으며 RGE와 큰 차이는 없었다. AKRGE 6과 AKRGE 9의 칼슘함량은 107.80 mg% 및 171.81 mg%로, RGE와 시판 홍삼 파우치 제품 5종에 비해서

The present study was designed to investigate aging-related effects on the activities of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes of rat liver by dietary supplementation of Korean red ginseng water-extract. Rat did not show any discernible signs of the rejection symptoms, and blood GOT and GPT levels were not influenced by ginseng water extracts, Cytochrome 450 levels and NADPH cytochrome P45O reductase, p-450 dependent ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, and benzphetamine N-demethylase activities were decreased with aging, however, these phase I system enzymes activities in the ginseng group of24 months were well maintained compared with normal group. But, Levels of cytochrome bs and NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase activities were also decreased with aging and were not found a clear difference between two groups. Glutathione-s-transferase activity, phase II enzyme system, in liver cytosols was also decreased in old ages, but the degree of decrease was higher in normal group than in giuseng supplemented group. These results indicate that long-term supplementation of red ginseng water extracts from weaning to 24 months do not show any side effects to rats, and retard age-related deteriorations of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes activities in old ages.

홍삼(panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) 추출물 단독의 항산화 활성과 홍삼추출물에 삼백초(Saururus chinensis(Lour.) Baill.)와 복분자(Rubus coreanus Miq.) 추출물을 농도별로 보충 급여 하였을 때 나타나는 상승효과를 알아보기 위하여 Sprague Dawley rat에 이들 추출물을 8주간 섭취시킨 후 희생시켜 간장 cytosol중의 superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, GST 등의 항상화 효소계 활성을 측정하였다. 그 결과, 홍삼급여군의 superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase의 효소활성이 대조군에 비해 농도 의존적으로 높았다. 특히 홍삼 단독보다는 삼백초와 복분자를 보충급여시 상승효과가 높았으며 급여기간이 길수록 그 효과가 높았다.