Ginsenosides metabolism

Neculai MA et al (2009) Partial purification and characterization of three ginsenoside-metabolizing b-glucosidases from Pythium irregulare. Phytochemistry 70 1948... 

FIGURE 1.2 Possible metabolism (degradation pathway) of protopanaxadiol-type gin-senosides such as ginsenoside Rbi by stomach acidity and by human intestinal bacteria. 

Finally, it has been shown that maturation of DCs is promoted by metabolized ginsenosides such as compound K. Takei et al (2004) showed that mature DCs differentiated with compound K enhance the differentiation of naive T cells toward the Thl t) e depending on lL-12 secretion, which clearly suggests that compound K has immunostimulatoty effects and that this compound is involved in the cancer preventive effects of ginseng and that compound K may be used on DC-based vaccines for cancer immunotherapy (Takei et al, 2004). 

Lee, H., Gonzalez, F. J., and Yoon, M. (2006a). Ginsenoside Rf, a component of ginseng, regulates lipoprotein metabolism through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 339,196-203. 

Odani, T., Tanizawa, H., and Takino, Y. (1983a). Studies on the absorption, distribution, excretion and metabolism of ginseng saponins. 11. The absorption, distribution and excretion of ginsenoside Rgi in the rat. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 31, 292-298. 

Qian, T., Jiang, Z.-H., and Cai, Z. (2006). High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry applied for metabolic study of ginsenoside Rbj on rat. Anal. Biochem. 352, 87-96. 

Physioiogicai There is an extensive literature that deals with the effects ginseng on CNS function, but effects are also seen in neuroendocrine function, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, the immune system, and cardiovascular function (Gillis 1997). Ginsenosides induce a decrease in heart rate and have biphasic effects on blood pressure, with decreases preceded by a slight increase (Kaku et al. 1975). Ginsenoside Rgl had the most potent effects on blood pressure. Little or no effect is observed on respiration. 

Takino Y, Odani T, Tanizawa FI, Flayashi T. (1982). Studies on the absorption, distribution, excretion, and metabolism of ginseng saponins I. Quantitative analysis of ginsenoside Rgl in rats. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 30(6) 2196-201. 

Shin HY et al (2003) Purification and characterization of a a-L-arabinopyranosidase and a-L-arabinofuranosidase from Bifidobacterium breve K-110, a human intestinal anaerobic bacterium metabolizing ginsenoside Rb2 and Rc. Appl Environ Microbiol 69 7116 Park SY et al (2001) Purification and characterization of ginsenoside Rbi-metabohzing P-glucosidase from Fusobacterium K-60, a human intestinal anaerobic bacterium. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 65(5) 1163... 

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