Search Results (1,121)

Ginseng Alternaria leaf and stem blight, caused by Alternaria panax, imposes substantial yield and economic losses to the ginseng cultivation industry. Current diagnostic methods for ginseng diseases primarily rely on pathogen isolation from infected tissues, a procedure that is laborious, time-consuming, and inherently low in sensitivity. This study has therefore developed a rapid, specific and sensitive SYBR Green-based quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for detecting A. panax in plants, seeds, and soil. The developed qPCR assay exhibited high sensitivity and repeatability, with a detection limit of 0.074 fg/μL of target amplicon DNA (0.619 ng/μL of genomic DNA) and a coefficient of variation below 2%. In artificially inoculated tissues (leaves, stems and seeds), Ct values decreased progressively with increasing incubation time, reflecting pathogen proliferation. Analysis of field-collected leaves and stems showed a strong overall correlation between Ct values and visual disease grades. Surveying of ginseng-growing areas revealed that A. panax was detected in asymptomatic leaves and stems at rates of 12.12% and 14.29%, respectively, and in 14.46% of soil samples and 23.73% of seed samples. This qPCR assay presented here provides a robust tool for forecasting early disease, tracking the primary inoculum of the pathogen and its transmission chains, and screening of both ginseng seed lots and candidate soils for ginseng Alternaria leaf and stem blight prior to planting. Full article

Chemotherapy-induced gonadotoxicity severely compromises male fertility, yet effective interventions remain limited. Building on our previous finding that yam protein (YP) modulates the gut-microbiota axis, this study investigated its direct protective role against cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced testicular injury. Spectral analysis revealed a protein fraction (L-YP) with strong intrinsic fluorescence and optimal cytoprotection against oxidative stress. Proteomic characterization revealed six dominant proteins (YP1–YP6). In vivo experiments demonstrated that L-YP upregulates the expression of tight junction proteins Occludin and ZO-1, restores hormone levels, and modulates inflammatory factors, thereby enhancing the integrity of the blood–testis barrier. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking predicted a potential binding affinity between key components such as YP2 and NF-κB p65, which may provide a structural basis for their regulatory role. Further validation at the gene level indicated that YP can improve the local testicular immune microenvironment by modulating the classical TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway. These findings suggest that yam protein alleviates chemotherapy-induced testicular damage, potentially through barrier protection and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, indicating its promise as a dietary protective agent. Full article

Radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure is higher in the structures surrounding the ears and head. Moreover, the brain is the organ most vulnerable to microwave radiation, exhibiting earlier and more severe mitochondrial damage compared to other tissues. The present study investigated the impact of 2600 MHz RFR on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) through immunohistochemical, genetic, and biochemical analyses and explored the potential protective role of ginseng. The animals in the study were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 8 per group): control, sham, ginseng, 2600 MHz RFR, and 2600 MHz RFR + ginseng. The RFR groups were exposed to RFR for 1 h day⁻¹ for 30 days. Ginseng was applied every day (150 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 30 days. Histopathological examination of the 2600 MHz RFR group revealed degenerative changes, vacuolization, vascular dilatation, and mild edema, particularly in cortical neurons. These alterations appeared reduced in the sham and 2600 MHz RFR + ginseng groups. The immunohistochemical findings indicated moderate damage in the RFR group, whereas a statistically significant decrease was observed in the ginseng-treated groups (p < 0.05). Overall, the findings suggest that 2600 MHz RFR may be associated with increased apoptotic activity and ginseng may exert a protective effect. Full article

At present, the characteristics of key enzyme genes in the upstream pathway for triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in P. grandiflorum, as well as their expression patterns over the growth duration, have not been systematically analyzed. This study, at the whole-genome level, conducts the first bioinformatics and expression analyses of the SS and SE gene families in P. grandiflorum. Four PgSS and seven PgSE genes were identified and distributed across six chromosomes. Members within the same subfamily exhibited highly conserved sequences and structures, while distinct structural divergence was observed between different subfamilies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PgSS and PgSE genes were closely related to those of dicotyledons such as Panax ginseng and Polygala tenuifolia, suggesting high evolutionary conservation. Promoter analysis revealed abundant light- and hormone-responsive elements and MYB/MYC binding sites, indicating regulation by multiple signals. Protein secondary structures were dominated by the Alpha helix and were structurally stable. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) demonstrated that expression levels of PgSS and PgSE in one-year-old Platycodonis Radix were significantly higher than in perennial Platycodonis Radix, especially for the PgSE family. This study characterized the basic biological features and growth-stage-dependent expression patterns of the SS and SE gene families in P. grandiflorum. The results identify key candidate genes and molecular targets for regulating triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis, and provide data supporting quality improvement and active metabolite research in this medicinal plant. Full article

The unique aroma of ginseng is linked to its recognized mood-enhancing properties. However, the specific aromatic compounds responsible for this effect, as well as the underlying mechanisms across different processed ginseng products, remain unclear. Here, the characteristic pleasant aroma compounds and their potential associations in five preparations—fresh ginseng, white ginseng, Dali ginseng, red ginseng, and black ginseng—were analyzed using flavoromics, bioinformatics, and computational modeling. The aroma evolved from “green” to “roasted-medicinal” notes, with pleasantness peaking in red ginseng, highlighting moderate processing as a key factor. Eight key pleasant aroma compounds were identified (including octanal and β-selinene), which were found to be potentially associated with olfactory- and emotion-related pathways involving IGF1 and OR6A2. Molecular interaction analysis revealed that these compounds may synergistically modulate pleasantness through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, aroma harmony proved more decisive than aroma intensity in determining consumer preference, suggesting correlational evidence linking molecular interactions to sensory perception. Dynamic simulations further demonstrated stable interactions between β-selinene, octanal, and IGF1/OR6A2. This research offers new insights into the mood-modulating properties of ginseng aroma and may inform future studies exploring the development of specialized ginseng products for emotional well-being applications. Full article

Saponins, the primary bioactive constituents with immunomodulatory activities in Baoyuan decoction—a traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of ginseng, astragalus, licorice, and cinnamon—are limited by low extraction yield, poor stability, and easy degradation. In this study, cellulase and pectinase were used for the extraction of saponins from Baoyuan decoction and optimized by response surface methodology. Subsequently, the optimal extracts were microencapsulated by spray drying with soy protein isolate (SPI) or high-oleic acid soy protein isolate (HOSPI) and pectin (PE) as composite wall materials, followed by application evaluation in gummies and in vitro digestion. After optimization, the total saponin yield was 63.68 ± 0.15 mg/g. HOSPI-PE microcapsules (HBP) had a higher encapsulation efficiency (90.38%), smaller particle size, and lower hygroscopicity than SPI-PE ones (SBP). Furthermore, both microcapsules showed good stability during storage and controlled release, with 60.9% of saponins in SBP and 65.8% in HBP being delivered to the intestinal phase during in vitro digestion of microparticles. When applied in gummies, microcapsule gummies retained satisfactory sustained-release in vitro digestion (23.0% released in the stomach and 66.2% in the small intestine). In contrast, the unencapsulated gummies exhibited a burst release (74.4%) at 30 min in gastric digestion. This study provides theoretical and technical insights into the development of plant-derived functional foods and promotes the practical application of microencapsulation in functional gummy candies. Full article

Alcohol-induced liver damage (AILD), characterized by oxidative stress and inflammation, is a major health concern. While black ginseng extract (BGE) exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, its protective effects against AILD and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study evaluated the protective effects of BGE against AILD using in vivo, in vitro, and in silico models. In mice, daily oral administration of 25% ethanol (5 g/kg) for 2 weeks induced liver injury. BGE (100–500 mg/kg) significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT)levels while increasing catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. In ethanol-treated HepG2 cells, BGE inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and suppressed cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression while increasing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)expression. Ginsenoside Rh1, quantified at 4.7 mg/g via quadrupole linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry coupled with UPLC (UPLC-Q-TRAP-MS/MS), was identified as a key bioactive compound. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed key inflammatory signaling pathways and core hub genes associated with ginsenoside Rh1. Integrated analyses suggest that ginsenoside Rh1 contributes to the multi-target effects of BGE by modulating inflammatory signaling pathways. Collectively, BGE is a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of AILD, with ginsenoside Rh1 serving as a key bioactive constituent and quality control marker. Full article

The fruit of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott is a berry with multiple properties and was included as a new raw food material by the National Health Commission of China (NHC) in September 2018. This study focused on the immune regulatory properties and underlying mechanism of polysaccharides extracted from Aronia melanocarpa fruit (AMFP) by undertaking an integrated analysis of multiple endogenous metabolic pathways. An improvement in AMFP in immunosuppressed model mice at three levels of immune organs, immune cells, and immune factors was determined. The immunomodulatory role of AMFP was assessed through measurement of metabolomic and lipidomic profilings by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. A total of 53 differential endogenous metabolites in the urinary, serum, and lipid metabolomics were identified, followed by KEGG pathway enrichment. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms were elucidated by an integrated analysis of multiple metabolomics and lipidomics. Primarily, we found regulation of immune-related metabolic pathways, including nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, purine metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and arachidonic acid metabolism. The results also demonstrated the mutual validation of key pathways and mechanisms. AMFP potentiated both humoral and cellular immunity responses and protected the immune system from oxidative damage. This research provides a reference and a basis for the development and application of AMFP in the field of health foods that regulate immunity. Full article

Background: Chronic unpredictable stress triggers various pathological and metabolic alterations by modulating psychophysiological balance. Valeric acid (VA), a postbiotic material, has been reported to mitigate stress-induced behavioral changes in rodents. Objectives: To investigate the protective effect of valeric acid against chronic unpredictable stress in a rodent model by assessing neuro-physiological alterations along with changes in biochemical parameters to confirm the possible mechanism. Methods: A 14-day chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model in albino Wistar rats was developed to check the stress-induced changes using forced swim test, tail suspension test and sexual behavior observation. Quantification of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, plasma corticosterone level and oxidative stress parameters were also done. Results: Findings revealed the protective effects of valeric acid against CUS, which reversed the depression caused by a forced swim and tail suspension test in rats. Proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers were significantly (p < 0.05) restored in CUS rats treated with valeric acid as compared with the vehicle control, which was comparable to the standard drug, Panax ginseng. Conclusions: The present study concludes that valeric acid demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) anti-stress effect by modulating both behavioral responses and stress-related biochemical modifications. Full article

Notably, certain ginsenoside components exhibit distinct bidirectional and context-dependent regulatory effects on ferroptosis depending on the disease setting. In aberrantly proliferating or activated cells, ginsenosides function as ferroptosis inducers, whereas in damaged quiescent cells of normal tissues, they act as ferroptosis inhibitors. The pro-ferroptotic effect is predominantly observed in cells characterized by abnormal proliferation or activation, such as cancer cells and activated hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis. In this context, ginsenosides modulate key iron metabolism proteins and suppress antioxidant defense systems (e.g., GPX4, SLC7A11), thereby triggering intracellular iron overload and explosive lipid peroxidation, ultimately culminating in ferroptosis. Conversely, the anti-ferroptotic effect primarily targets damaged non-proliferative cells in normal tissues subjected to pathological insults (e.g., ischemia–reperfusion, inflammation). In this setting, the regulatory focus of ginsenosides shifts toward maintaining iron homeostasis through mechanisms including upregulation of iron storage proteins (e.g., FTH1), downregulation of iron uptake proteins (e.g., TFRC), and inhibition of labile Fe²⁺ accumulation, thereby blocking ferroptosis initiation. This review systematically elucidates the pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms by which different ginsenoside components regulate ferroptosis across various disease contexts and cell types, with particular emphasis on their disease- and cell type-dependent bidirectional regulatory characteristics. By highlighting these context-specific effects, we aim to provide novel potential therapeutic targets and mechanistic insights for the precision treatment of diverse pathological conditions, including malignant proliferative disorders, non-malignant aberrantly activated/proliferative diseases such as liver fibrosis, and cell injury/degenerative diseases. Full article

Glaucoma, characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell degeneration and optic nerve damage, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Multiple risk factors influence the pathogenesis and progression of glaucoma. Food-derived bioactive components have emerged as a new area of interest to overcome the limitations of current standard treatments due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and multi-target mechanisms. In this context, various plant-derived foods, such as Lycium barbarum, Ganoderma lucidum, Cryptotanshinone, Scutellaria baicalensis, Silybum marianum, Astragalus membranaceus, Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, Crocus sativus, and resveratrol, have shown potential mechanisms for treating glaucoma. These bioactive components may address oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, and elevated intraocular pressure, which may be due to the modulation of multiple signaling pathways, including JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/AKT, MEK/ERK/CREB, cAMP/PKA/CREB, and others. However, further clinical trials are needed to validate dosage, bioavailability, and long-term safety. This review highlights the potential of bioactive components from plant-derived foods, offering a reference for further investigation into their effects on glaucoma. Full article

Soil microbial communities regulate plant growth and nutrient cycling, yet their dynamics during early ginseng cultivation remain poorly understood. This study used Illumina MiSeq sequencing to characterize bacterial and fungal communities in rhizosphere and bulk soils from second- and third-year ginseng fields. Differences across growth periods were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Significant shifts in α- and β-diversity occurred in both soil rhizosphere and bulk soils, and distinct environmental factors shaped community structure. Correlation heatmaps, redundancy analysis (RDA), and Mantel tests identified associations between soil physicochemical properties and microbial taxa. Notably, soil location had a stronger effect on microbial variation than cultivation duration. Dominant bacterial genera were strongly correlated with NH₄⁺-N, and fungal community composition was primarily driven by NH₄⁺-N. These results demonstrate that early ginseng cultivation significantly alters soil microbial communities and provide a basis for sustainable agricultural practices and soil ecosystem management. Full article

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a member of the Vesiculovirus genus within the Rhabdoviridae family, is a widespread pathogen affecting all hoofed livestock species, leading to reduced animal growth and productivity. To date, no effective therapeutic treatment for VSV infection has been developed. Natural medicinal compounds with immunomodulatory properties represent a promising supportive strategy for infection control. Ginsenoside Rh1, a primary bioactive component of ginseng plants, has been reported to possess broad pharmacological and immunoregulatory activities. Nevertheless, its potential antiviral effects against VSV remain unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate that Ginsenoside Rh1 exhibits considerable antiviral activity against VSV in cellular models. Mechanistically, its antiviral effect is primarily mediated through the inhibition of VSV-induced autophagy, thereby enhancing interferon-mediated antiviral responses. Collectively, our findings identify Ginsenoside Rh1 as a novel antiviral agent active against VSV and potentially related vesiculoviruses, clarify its mechanism of action, and highlight an autophagy-dependent immunomodulatory approach that could be critical for confronting existing and emerging RNA viral infections. Full article

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious disease of domestic and wild small ruminants, is characterized by severe morbidity and mortality. PPRV, the causative agent, is a morbillivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. The virus poses a significant barrier to sustainable agricultural development in the developing world. Currently, no effective therapeutics agent for PPRV infection is available. Ginsenoside Rb3, the major bioactive constituent in the plants of ginseng, was reported to exert a wide range of pharmacologic and immunologic effects. However, it is unclear whether Ginsenoside Rb3 can act as an antiviral against PPRV infection. Here, we show that Ginsenoside Rb3 exhibits significant antiviral activity against PPRV in cell culture models. The mechanism of action of Ginsenoside Rb3 against PPRV is mainly attributed to its ability to inhibit PPRV-mediated autophagy, thus leading to promotion of interferon responses. In summary, our study establishes Ginsenoside Rb3 as a novel antiviral agent effective against PPRV, sheds light on its mode of action, and reveals a novel immunomodulatory strategy that may prove essential for combating both current and future viral outbreaks. Full article

Cancer is currently one of the most significant health threats facing humanity in general. The clinical treatment of cancer is constrained by the current development of chemotherapy drug resistance, poor pharmacokinetics, off-target toxicity, and insufficient intratumoral accumulation. Although surgery combined with chemotherapy is now maturely used in clinical practice, the results are unsatisfactory, and the incidence and mortality of cancer continue to increase year by year with high side effects from treatment. Therefore, it is important to find more effective therapeutic targets against cancer. Alterations in the tumor microenvironment can lead to cellular gene mutations, which are an important cause of tumorigenesis, and therapeutic interventions targeting the tumor microenvironment have been one of the most interesting research areas in the oncology community in recent years. Ginseng is rich in antitumor-active ingredients and is used in the treatment of many cancer diseases. Ginsenoside is one of the main active components of ginseng. This paper reviews the antitumor mechanism of action of ginsenoside through regulating the tumor microenvironment, emphasizing the key role of ginsenoside in the tumor microenvironment and providing a new target and theoretical basis for ginsenoside in the treatment of cancer. Full article