Evidence of metal binding activities of pentadecapeptide from Panax ginseng

Dietary regulation of P-gp function and expression

Food-drug interactions have been associated with clinically important pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes of a drug. The aim of this paper is to review the regulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) by dietary components and to correlate the changes in cellular P-gp function and expression with drug bioavailability. In summary, the published literature has provided extensive data supporting the modulation of drug bioavailability through P-gp regulation by components in food groups such as fruit juices, spices, herbs, cruciferous vegetables and green tea. Most of these data were, however, derived from in vitro cell models and, except for the St John's wort, the clinical significance of most reported interactions remains to be clarified. Studies on piperine and capsaicin have underscored an often poor correlation between in vivo and in vitro data, whereas experiments involving curcumin highlighted differences between acute and chronic consumption of a dietary component on P-gp function and expression in vivo. A better understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the dietary components will aid in addressing these knowledge gaps.

Current evaluation of the millennium phytomedicine- ginseng (II): Collected chemical entities, modern pharmacology, and clinical applications emanated from traditional Chinese medicine

This review, a sequel to part 1 in the series, collects about 107 chemical entities separated from the roots, leaves and flower buds of Panax ginseng, quinquefolius and notoginseng, and categorizes these entities into about 18 groups based on their structural similarity. The bioactivities of these chemical entities are described. The 'Yin and Yang' theory and the fundamentals of the 'five elements' applied to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are concisely introduced to help readers understand how ginseng balances the dynamic equilibrium of human physiological processes from the TCM perspectives. This paper concerns the observation and experimental investigation of biological activities of ginseng used in the TCM of past and present cultures. The current biological findings of ginseng and its medical applications are narrated and critically discussed, including 1) its antihyperglycemic effect that may benefit type II diabetics; in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated protection of ginseng on beta-cells and obese diabetic mouse models. The related clinical trial results are stated. 2) its aphrodisiac effect and cardiovascular effect that partially attribute to ginseng's bioactivity on nitric oxide (NO); 3) its cognitive effect and neuropharmacological effect that are intensively tested in various rat models using purified ginsenosides and show a hope to treat Parkinson's disease (PD); 4) its uses as an adjuvant or immunotherapeutic agent to enhance immune activity, appetite and life quality of cancer patients during their chemotherapy and radiation. Although the apoptotic effect of ginsenosides, especially Rh2, Rg3 and Compound K, on various tumor cells has been shown via different pathways, their clinical effectiveness remains to be tested. This paper also updates the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and immune-stimulatory activities of ginseng, its ingredients and commercial products, as well as common side effects of ginseng mainly due to its overdose, and its pharmacokinetics.

Efficacy and safety of ginseng

Ginseng (Panax ginseng, C.A. Meyer) has been a popular herbal remedy used in eastern Asian cultures for thousands of years. In North America, the ginseng species indigenous to both Canada and the United States (Panax quinquefolium) represents an important industry for both domestic and export markets. There are numerous theories and claims describing the efficacy of ginseng, which can combat stress, enhance both the central and immune systems and contribute towards maintaining optimal oxidative status against certain chronic disease states and aging. Risk issues concerning the safety of ginseng at recommended dosages are less prominent and scientifically based. While some epidemiological or clinical studies have reported indications of efficacy for specific health benefits or potential toxicity, there are an equal number of studies that provide contradictory evidence. This situation has led to questionable conclusions concerning specific health benefits or risks associated with ginseng. Recent advances in the development of standardized extracts for both Panax ginseng (G-115) and Panax quinquefolius (CNT-2000) have and will continue to assist in the assessment of efficacy and safety standards for ginseng products. This paper reviews the scientific literature and evidence for ginseng efficacy and safety derived mostly from in vitro and animal studies and places emphasis on the need for more randomized, double-blinded, placebo clinical studies that can provide unequivocal conclusions. An example of the efficacy and safety of ginseng is provided with the description of biological activity of a North American ginseng extract (NAGE), which includes illustrating mechanisms for antioxidant activity without prooxidant properties.

Motif 2 in adenosine kinase homologous ginseng polypeptide showed affinity to D-ribose by capillary zone electrophoresis and surface plasmon resonance

Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were applied to the analysis of anti-lipolytic acidic tetradecapeptide from Panax ginseng roots. The ginseng polypeptide (GPP) and modified GPPs were chemically synthesized and their affinity to D-ribose and adenosine was examined by ACE and SPR. GPP had affinity to D-ribose and adenosine and the binding constants (Kb) to GPP were calculated by both methods (Kb = 1.04 x 10(4) mol-1 to D-ribose by ACE and Kb = 1.91 x 10(4) mol-1 to adenosine by SPR). Most of the modified GPPs lost their affinity to D-ribose and adenosine through substitution or rearrangement of the amino acids.

Capillary electrophoretic analysis of ginseng polypeptide

A ginseng polypeptide (GPP) found in ginseng roots and its modified peptides were tested by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) under acidic as well as basic conditions. Modified peptides were synthesized for three purposes: (i) to analyze their functions in the first three acidic amino acid residues, (ii) to analyze their functions in three sequenced glycines, and (iii) to analyze the length of side chains in acidic amino acids. The roles of glycines, acidic amino acids and amino acid side chains in the binding of Mg2+ were studied at pH values less than 7.0. The migration times of GPP varied with the pH of various electrophoresis buffers, and electrophoresis patterns were significantly changed between pH 7.0-7.5. Based on the electrophoretic analysis, it was concluded that the binding mechanisms for Mg2+ or conformations of GPP changed between low pH and high pH.