Search Results (32)

This review will focus on how ethnic consumption of foods such as shiitake, ginseng, turmeric, black seeds, berries, rosemary, moringa and holy basil can help act as antioxidants and immune modulators in fighting many diseases. We will investigate how these foods act on pathways like Nrf2/Keap1 to increase endogenous antioxidant capacity and help in reducing ROS production, based on publications found in PubMed between 1994 and 2024. In addition, we will show how these plants can cause immune system shifts by changing the makeup of the ratio of Th1/Th2 cells, reduce inflammation, and have antiangiogenic effects on cancer. This review will also show how plants can alter the gut microbiota and lead to a further decrease in oxidative stress. Overall, it will show how plants and their metabolites can potentially create a path forward for creating novel therapeutic approaches and help lead to an improved redox balance, support immune function, and enhance long-term health outcomes. Full article

The effects of puffing on the ginsenoside composition as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ginseng berry were investigated to increase the utilization of ginseng berry. There was no significant difference in extraction yield between the control and puffed samples at all moisture contents and pressure conditions (p < 0.05). Major ginsenosides of ginseng berry (especially ginsenoside Re) were degraded through deglycosylation and dehydration by heat and pressure, and new minor ginsenosides (Rg3, F2, Rh2 and Rb2) were produced after puffing. Puffed ginseng berries showed higher total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and Maillard reaction products (MRPs) than those of the control group, and these contents were increased as puffing pressure increased. In addition, higher antioxidant activities were observed in puffed ginseng berries compared to the controls, possibly due to the increase in TPC and MRPs. Antioxidant activity increased with increasing puffing pressure at all moisture contents. Nitric oxide (NO) production showed no significant inhibitory effect between control and puffed ginseng berries (p < 0.05). In the case of inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 had an inhibitory effect, but TNF-α had no inhibitory effect. Consequently, puffing showed a positive effect on the composition and the transformation of ginsenosides as well as the antioxidant activity of ginseng berries, suggesting that puffed ginseng berries can be used as a high value-added food material. Full article

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in chemical composition between red (RGBs) and yellow ginseng berries (YGBs) and their whitening and anti-aging skincare effects. The differences in the chemical composition between RGB and YGB were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole electrostatic field orbit trap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS) combined with multivariate statistics. An aging model was established using UVB radiation induction, and the whitening and anti-aging effects of the two ginseng berries were verified in vitro and in vivo using cell biology (HaCaT and B16-F10 cells) and zebrafish model organisms. A total of 31 differential compounds, including saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other chemical constituents, were identified between the two groups. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was more significantly increased (p < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was more significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in RGB more than YGB induced by UVB ultraviolet radiation. In terms of whitening effects, YGB was more effective in inhibiting the melanin content of B16-F10 cells (p < 0.01). The results of zebrafish experiments were consistent with those of in vitro experiments and cell biology experiments. The DCFH fluorescence staining results revealed that both ginseng berries were able to significantly reduce the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in zebrafish (p < 0.01). Comparison of chemical composition and skin care activities based on RGB and YGB can provide a theoretical basis for the deep development and utilization of ginseng berry resources. Full article

Ginseng has been utilized for centuries in both the medicinal and cosmetic realms. Recent studies have actively investigated the biological activity of ginseng berry and its constituents. (+)-Syringaresinol [(+)-SYR], an active component of ginseng berry, has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on the skin, but its potential impact on skin pigmentation has not been fully explored. Here, the antioxidant and anti-pigmentary activity of (+)-SYR were evaluated in B16F10 murine melanoma cells and in an artificial human pigmented skin model, Melanoderm™. A real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and histochemistry staining were conducted to confirm the effects of (+)-SYR on pigmentation. (+)-SYR reduced melanogenesis and dendrite elongation in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-primed B16F10 cells with low cytotoxicity. (+)-SYR suppressed the expression of melanogenic genes, namely tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2). Notably, (+)-SYR attenuated α-MSH-induced cytosolic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which was attributable at least in part to the suppression of NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX 4) expression. Finally, the brightening activities of (+)-SYR were verified using Melanoderm™, underscoring the potential of ginseng berry and (+)-SYR as functional ingredients in skin-brightening cosmetics. Full article

Panax ginseng fruit is known to have various biological effects owing to its large amount of saponins such as ginsenosides. In the present study, ginseng berry juice was confirmed to be effective against acute inflammation. Ginseng berry juice was used for analysis of active constituents, antioxidant efficacy, and in vivo inflammation. A high-performance liquid chromatography method was used for analysis of ginsenosides. In an HCl/ethanol-induced acute gastric injury model, microscopic, immunofluorescent, and immunohistochemical techniques were used for analysis of inhibition of gastric injury and mechanism study. In a mouse model of acute gastritis induced with HCl/ethanol, ginseng berry juice (GBJ, 250 mg/kg) showed similar gastric injury inhibitory effects as cabbage water extract (CB, 500 mg/kg, P.O). GBJ dose-dependently modulated the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Interleukin-13 (IL-13). GBJ inhibited the activation of Nuclear Factor kappa bB (NF-κB) and suppressed the expressions of cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin 2 (PGE₂). The anti-inflammatory effect of GBJ is attributed to ginsenosides which have anti-inflammatory effects. Productivity as an effective food source for acute gastritis was analyzed and showed that GBJ was superior to CB. In addition, as a functional food for suppressing acute ulcerative symptoms, it was thought that the efficacy of gastric protection products would be higher if GBJ were produced in the form of juice rather than through various extraction methods. Full article

The determination and evaluation of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seven Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) were conducted through a rapid and straightforward extraction and purification method, coupled with GC-MS. A sample-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) pretreatment technique, incorporating isotopic internal standards, was employed for detecting various medicinal parts of CHMs. The assay exhibited linearity within the range of 5 to 500 ng/mL, with linear coefficients (R²) for PAHs exceeding 0.999. The recoveries of spiked standards ranged from 63.37% to 133.12%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranging from 0.75% to 14.54%. The total PAH content varied from 176.906 to 1414.087 μg/kg. Among the 16 PAHs, phenanthrene (Phe) was consistently detected at the highest levels (47.045–168.640 μg/kg). Characteristic ratio analysis indicated that oil, coal, and biomass combustion were the primary sources of PAHs in CHMs. The health risk associated with CHMs was assessed using the lifetime carcinogenic risk approach, revealing potential health risks from the consumption of honeysuckle, while the health risks of consuming Lycium chinense berries were deemed negligible. For the other five CHMs (glycyrrhizae, Coix lacryma, ginseng, lotus seed, seed of Sterculia lychnophora), the health risk from consumption fell within acceptable ranges. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses utilizing Monte Carlo exposure assessment methods identified PAH levels in CHMs as health risk sensitizers. It is crucial to recognize that the consumption of herbal medicines is not a continuous process but entails potential health risks. Hence, the monitoring and risk assessment of PAH residues in CHMs demand careful attention. Full article

Smoking is a major risk factor for delayed fracture healing, affecting several aspects of early fracture repair, including inflammation, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis. Panax ginseng (GE) and maqui berry extract (MBE) were shown in our previous studies to reduce smoke-induced cellular damage in late bone-healing in vitro models. We aimed here to analyze their effects on the early fracture repair of smokers in a 3D co-culture model of fracture hematomas and endothelial cells. Both extracts did not alter the cellular viability at concentrations of up to 100 µg/mL. In early fracture repair in vitro, they were unable to reduce smoking-induced inflammation and induce osteo- or chondrogenicity. Regarding angiogenesis, smoking-induced stress in HUVECs could not be counteracted by both extracts. Furthermore, smoking-impaired tube formation was not restored by GE but was harmed by MBE. However, GE promoted angiogenesis initiation under smoking conditions via the Angpt/Tie2 axis. To summarize, cigarette smoking strikingly affected early fracture healing processes in vitro, but herbal extracts at the applied doses had only a limited effect. Since both extracts were shown before to be very effective in later stages of fracture healing, our data suggest that their early use immediately after fracture does not appear to negatively impact later beneficial effects. Full article

This study investigated the potential therapeutic properties of fermented ginseng berry extract (GBE) for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Fermented GBE was examined for its ginsenoside content and physiological properties, which have been suggested to have neuroprotective effects and improve cognitive function. The results showed that fermented GBE contains high levels of major active ginsenosides and exhibits antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Post-fermented GBE demonstrated therapeutic potential in AF64A-induced damaged neural stem cells and an animal model of AD. These findings suggest that fermented GBE may hold promise as a candidate for developing new therapeutic interventions for memory deficits and cognitive disorders associated with AD and other neurodegenerative conditions. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of fermented GBE in human subjects and to determine its clinical applications. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that fermented GBE has potential as a natural product for the prevention and treatment of AD. The high levels of active ginsenosides and antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of fermented GBE suggest that it may be a promising therapeutic agent for improving cognitive function and reducing neurodegeneration. Full article

Ginseng, a medicinal plant of the genus Panax, boasts a rich historical record of usage that dates back to the Paleolithic period. This botanical is extensively acknowledged and consumed in Eastern countries for its therapeutic properties, and, in Western countries, it is becoming increasingly popular as a remedy for fatigue and asthenia. This review provides an update on current research pertaining to ginseng and its isolated compounds, namely, ginsenosides and polysaccharides. The primary focus is on three crucial pharmacological activities, namely, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. The review encompasses studies on both isolated compounds and various ginseng extracts obtained from the root, leaves, and berries. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the hangover relieving effect of ginseng berry kombucha (GBK) fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Gluconobacter oxydans in in vitro and in vivo models. The antioxidant activity and oxidative stress inhibitory effect of GBK were evaluated in ethanol-treated human liver HepG2 cells. In addition, biochemical and behavioral analyses of ethanol treated male ICR mice were performed to confirm the anti-hangover effect of GBK. The radical scavenging activity of GBK was increased by fermentation, and the total ginsenoside content of GBK was 70.24 μg/mL. In HepG2 cells, in which oxidative stress was induced using ethanol, GBK significantly increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes by upregulating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway. Moreover, GBK (15 and 30 mg/kg) significantly reduced blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations in ethanol-treated mice. GBK significantly increased the levels of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, including alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. The balance beam test and elevated plus maze test revealed that high-dose GBK significantly ameliorated ethanol-induced behavioral changes. Collectively, GBK exerted a protective effect against ethanol-induced liver damage by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway. Full article

Despite the enormous global market of dietary supplements, the impact of dietary supplements on kidney disease is still unclear. Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2015 to 2017, this study evaluated the association between dietary supplement and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 13,271 Korean adults. Among the dietary supplements, vitamin and mineral intake was the highest at 61.41%, followed by omega-3 fatty acids at 11.85%, and ginseng at 7.99%. The prevalence of CKD was significantly higher in those who consumed amino acids and proteins, ginseng and red ginseng, and herbal medicine (plant extract)-berries than in those who did not. Conversely, patients who consumed probiotic supplements had a significantly lower prevalence of CKD than those who did not. In the population without CKD risk factors or history of CKD, the prevalence of CKD was high in the group consuming ginseng and red ginseng. After adjusting for covariates, the herbal medicine (plant extract)-berry group showed an independent association with CKD incidence. In conclusion, it is suggested that dietary supplements may affect kidney function. Further large-scale cohort studies are required to elucidate the exact effects of each dietary supplement on CKD. Full article

Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS, O₂•⁻, HO•, and H₂O₂) affects the aging process and the development of several diseases. A new frontier on its prevention includes functional foods with both specific probiotics and natural extracts as antioxidants. In this work, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer berries extract was characterized for the presence of beneficial molecules (54.3% pectin-based polysaccharides and 12% ginsenosides), able to specifically support probiotics growth (OD_600nm > 5) with a prebiotic index of 0.49. The administration of the extract to a probiotic consortium induced the production of short-chain fatty acids (lactic, butyric, and propionic acids) and other secondary metabolites derived from the biotransformation of Ginseng components. Healthy and tumoral colorectal cell lines (CCD841 and HT-29) were then challenged with these metabolites at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL. The cell viability of HT-29 decreased in a dose-dependent manner after the exposition to the metabolites, while CCD841 vitality was not affected. Regarding ROS production, the metabolites protected CCD841 cells, while ROS levels were increased in HT-29 cells, potentially correlating with the less functionality of glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and total superoxide dismutase enzymes, and a significant increase in oxidized glutathione. Full article

Cigarette smoking-induced oxidative stress has harmful effects on bone metabolism. Maqui berry extract (MBE) and ginseng extract (GE) are two naturally occurring antioxidants that have been shown to reduce oxidative stress. By using an osteoblast and osteoclast three-dimensional co-culture system, we investigated the effects of MBE and GE on bone cells exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). The cell viability and function of the co-culture system were measured on day 14. Markers of bone cell differentiation and oxidative stress were evaluated at gene and protein levels on day 7. The results showed that exposure to CSE induced osteoporotic-like alterations in the co-culture system, while 1.5 µg/mL MBE and 50 µg/mL GE improved CSE-impaired osteoblast function and decreased CSE-induced osteoclast function. The molecular mechanism of MBE and GE in preventing CSE-induced bone cell damage is linked with the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Therefore, MBE and GE can reduce CSE-induced detrimental effects on bone cells and, thus, prevent smoking-induced alterations in bone cell homeostasis. These two antioxidants are thus suitable supplements to support bone regeneration in smokers. Full article

The cosmetics industry is currently looking for innovative ingredients with higher bioactivity and bioavailability for the masses of natural and organic cosmetics. Bioferments are innovative ingredients extracted from natural raw materials by carrying out a fermentation process with appropriate strains of microorganisms. The review was conducted using the SciFinder database with the keywords “fermented plant”, “cosmetics”, and “fermentation”. Mainly bioferments are made from plant-based raw materials. The review covers a wide range of fermented raw materials, from waste materials (whey with beet pulp) to plant oils (F-Shiunko, F-Artemisia, F-Glycyrrhiza). The spectrum of applications for bioferments is broad and includes properties such as skin whitening, antioxidant properties (blackberry, soybean, goji berry), anti-aging (red ginseng, black ginseng, Citrus unshiu peel), hydrating, and anti-allergic (aloe vera, skimmed milk). Fermentation increases the biochemical and physiological activity of the substrate by converting high-molecular compounds into low-molecular structures, making fermented raw materials more compatible compared to unfermented raw materials. Full article

Plant primary and secondary metabolites are a significant source for many applications, including extractions of functional components, green synthesis development, and producing higher-added value products. However, in the variety of botanicals, Aralia cordata Thunb. plant is getting attention for its similarity to ginseng. This study comprehensively examines the biochemical and phytochemical profiles of different A. cordata morphological parts: root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, berry, and seed. Additionally, the establishment of total phenolic content and quantitative analysis of powerful antioxidants such as chlorophyll, carotenoids (zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene), proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins content were evaluated. The results indicated that A. cordata stem and berries are an excellent source of anthocyanins in the range from 18.27 to 78.54 mg/100 g DW. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activity was evaluated using three different methods based on the capacity to scavenge: DPPH^• scavenging capacity, ABTS^•+ radical cation assay, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ranged from 27 to 168 µmol TE/g DW, 8 to 117 µmol TE/g DW, and 18 to 157 µmol TE/g DW, respectively. This study proposes a novel competitive plant for many health-promoting applications in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, material, and food industries. Full article