North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) suppresses β-adrenergic-dependent signalling, hypertrophy, and cardiac dysfunction.

There is increasing evidence for a beneficial effect of ginseng on cardiac pathology. Here, we determined whether North American ginseng can modulate the deleterious effects of the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol on cardiac hypertrophy and function using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Isoproterenol was administered for 2 weeks at either 25 mg/kg per day or 50 mg/kg per day (ISO25 or ISO50) via a subcutaneously implanted osmotic mini-pump to either control rats or those receiving ginseng (0.

Angiogenic Rg /Sr-Doped TiO Nanowire/Poly(Propylene Fumarate) Bone Cement Composites.

A new approach is provided for preparing radiopaque and angiogenic poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) bone cements by integrating Sr-doped n-TiO nanowires and ginsenoside Rg1 suitable for treating osteonecrosis. High aspect ratio radiopaque TiO -nanowires are synthesized by strontium doping in supercritical CO for the first time, showing a new phase, SrTiO . PPF is synthesized using a transesterification method by reacting diethyl fumarate and propylene glycol, then functionalized using maleic anhydride to produce terminal carboxyl groups, which are subsequently linked to the nanowires.

Effects of American Ginseng on Preimplantation Development and Pregnancy in Mice.

In North America, a high proportion of pregnant women use herbal medications including North American ginseng. This medicinal plant contains high amounts of triterpene saponins (ginsenosides), which are the main bioactive compounds. It is important to assess ginseng's impact on all reproductive functions to ensure the safety of pregnant women and fetuses.

Structural and anti-inflammatory characterization of a novel neutral polysaccharide from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).

Neutral polysaccharides are one of the active components in the American ginseng roots. Recently, the studies about American ginseng polysaccharides are mainly centered on acidic polysaccharides, while there is relatively limited research that explores neutral polysaccharides. In this study a novel neutral polysaccharide (PPQN) was isolated from American ginseng roots and its structure and anti-inflammatory activity were investigated.

Stimulation and suppression of innate immune function by American ginseng polysaccharides: biological relevance and identification of bioactives.

Background: Polysaccharides constituting about 10% by weight of ginseng root are known to stimulate the immune system but have recently been shown to also suppress induced proinflammatory responses. Our study aims to determine whether American ginseng root polysaccharides (AGRPS) stimulates basal innate immune function and at the same time can suppress response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced proinflammatory response. An in vitro mechanistic study was used to identify the bioactive fraction(s) responsible for AGRPS immunomodulatory effects.

Isolation and immunosuppressive effects of 6″-O-acetylginsenoside Rb1 extracted from North American ginseng.

Extraction of medicinally active components from natural health products has become an emerging source for drug discovery. Of particular interest for this work was the finding and testing of a new ginsenoside from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). In the present study, a large amount of 6″-O-acetylginsenoside Rb1, compound 7, was found using ultrasonic extraction of North American ginseng with DMSO aqueous solution.

Co-administration of aqueous ginseng extract with tobramycin stimulates the pro-inflammatory response and promotes the killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lungs of infected rats.

North American ginseng is known to have immunomodulatory and antipseudomonal properties in vitro. In this study we investigated the effects of aqueous ginseng extract, either alone or in a combination with the antibiotic tobramycin, in an animal model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection. The lungs of male rats (n = 5) were infected with P.

Ginseng reverses established cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and postmyocardial infarction-induced hypertrophy and heart failure.

Background: A major challenge in the treatment of heart failure is the ability to reverse already-established myocardial remodeling and ventricular dysfunction, with few available pharmacological agents prescribed for the management of heart failure having demonstrated successful reversal of the remodeling and hypertrophic processes. North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has previously been shown to effectively prevent cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and heart failure. Here, we determined whether North American ginseng can reverse established cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in cultured myocytes as well as hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction in experimental heart failure secondary to coronary artery occlusion.

North American ginseng protects the heart from ischemia and reperfusion injury via upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

Emerging evidence suggests ginseng has therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the cardioprotective effects of ginseng during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Treatment with ginseng extract significantly increased Akt phosphorylation and eNOS protein levels in cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes.

De novo sequencing and analysis of the American ginseng root transcriptome using a GS FLX Titanium platform to discover putative genes involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis.

Background: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is one of the most widely used herbal remedies in the world. Its major bioactive constituents are the triterpene saponins known as ginsenosides.

Prooxidative effect of copper--metallothionein in the acute cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells.

This study was concerned with the role of copper (Cu) and Cu-metallothionein (Cu-MT) in oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced oxidative injury was examined in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells isolated from host mice pretreated with 0, 1 or 2mg of CuSO(4) (ip) 24h earlier. Control Ehrlich cells contained low levels of Cu and Cu treatment produced dose-related increases in cellular Cu and Cu-MT levels and corresponding increases in sensitivity to oxidative toxicity of H(2)O(2) (LC(50), cell blebbing, lipid peroxidation, GSH depletion, and increase in intracellular free [Ca(2+)](i)).