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DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1185508
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Induction of Chemoprotective Phase 2 Enzymes by Ginseng and its Components
Publication History
received April 22, 2008
revised February 8, 2009
accepted February 16, 2009
Publication Date:
26 March 2009 (online)
Abstract
Phase 2 detoxification enzymes protect against carcinogenesis and oxidative stress. Ginseng (Panax spp.) extracts and components were assayed for inducer activity of NQO1 (quinone reductase), a phase 2 enzyme, in Hepa1c1c7 cells. Ginseng extracts were analyzed for ginsenosides and panaxytriol. Korean red Panax ginseng extracts demonstrated the most potent phase 2 enzyme induction activity (76 900 U/g dried rhizome powder and 27 800 U/g for two similar preparations). The ginsenoside-enriched HT-1001 American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) extract was the next most potent inducer, with activity of 15 900 U/g, followed by raw American ginseng root with activity of 8700 U/g. Neither a polysaccharide-enriched extract of American ginseng nor a commercial white Panax ginseng preparation showed any inducer activity. Pure ginsenosides showed no inducer activity. Protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol, deglycosylated ginsenoside metabolic derivatives, showed potent induction activity (approximately 500 000 U/g each). Synthetic panaxytriol was over 10-fold more potent (induction potency 5 760 000 U/g). There was no correlation between ginsenoside content and phase 2 enzyme induction. The most potent inducing red ginseng extract also had the highest panaxytriol content, 120.8 µg/g. We found that ginseng induced NQO1 and that polyacetylenes are the most active components.
Key words
antioxidants - anticarcinogenic agents - NQO1 - Panax spp - Araliaceae family - panaxytriol
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Prof. Charles Flexner
Department of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University
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