Comparative Analysis of Ginsenoside Profiles: Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, and Antigenotoxic Activities of Ginseng Extracts of Fine and Main Roots

Antioxidant Activity and Inhibitory Effect on Nitric Oxide Production of Hydroponic Ginseng Fermented with Lactococcus lactis KC24

Panax ginseng Meyer is used as a medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to ferment hydroponic ginseng with Lactococcus lactis KC24 and confirm its antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production. Flavonoid and phenol contents in fermented ginseng extracts were measured. Antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH, ABTS, reducing power, FRAP and β-carotene assays. Additionally, inhibitory effects on NO production and toxicity of the fermented extract were determined using RAW 264.7 cells. Phenol and flavonoid contents increased as the fermentation time increased, and the contents were higher in hydroponic ginseng than in soil-cultivated ginseng. The DPPH assay revealed that the antioxidant activity of the 24 h fermented extract significantly increased from 32.57% to 41% (p < 0.05). The increase in antioxidant activity may be affected by an increase in phenol and flavonoid contents. At 1 mg/mL solid content, the 24 h fermented hydroponic ginseng extract inhibited NO production from 9.87 ± 0.06 μM to 1.62 ± 0.26 μM. In conclusion, the increase in antioxidant activity affects the inhibition of NO production, suggesting that fermented hydroponic ginseng may be used in the industries of functional food and pharmaceutical industry as a functional material with anti-inflammatory effects.

Ginsenosides for cardiovascular diseases; update on pre-clinical and clinical evidence, pharmacological effects and the mechanisms of action

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the major cause of death worldwide, accounting for almost 31% of the global mortality annually. Several preclinical studies have indicated that ginseng and the major bioactive ingredient (ginsenosides) can modulate several CVDs through diverse mechanisms. However, there is paucity in the translation of such experiments into clinical arena for cardiovascular ailments due to lack of conclusive specific pathways through which these activities are initiated and lack of larger, long-term well-structured clinical trials. Therefore, this review elaborates on current pharmacological effects of ginseng and ginsenosides in the cardiovascular system and provides some insights into the safety, toxicity, and synergistic effects in human trials. The review concludes that before ginseng, ginsenosides and their preparations could be utilized in the clinical treatment of CVDs, there should be more preclinical studies in larger animals (like the guinea pig, rabbit, dog, and monkey) to find the specific dosages, address the toxicity, safety and synergistic effects with other conventional drugs. This could lead to the initiation of large-scale, long-term well-structured randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trials to test whether treatment is effective for a longer period and test the efficacy against other conventional therapies.

Genome-Protecting Compounds as Potential Geroprotectors

Throughout life, organisms are exposed to various exogenous and endogenous factors that cause DNA damages and somatic mutations provoking genomic instability. At a young age, compensatory mechanisms of genome protection are activated to prevent phenotypic and functional changes. However, the increasing stress and age-related deterioration in the functioning of these mechanisms result in damage accumulation, overcoming the functional threshold. This leads to aging and the development of age-related diseases. There are several ways to counteract these changes: 1) prevention of DNA damage through stimulation of antioxidant and detoxification systems, as well as transition metal chelation; 2) regulation of DNA methylation, chromatin structure, non-coding RNA activity and prevention of nuclear architecture alterations; 3) improving DNA damage response and repair; 4) selective removal of damaged non-functional and senescent cells. In the article, we have reviewed data about the effects of various trace elements, vitamins, polyphenols, terpenes, and other phytochemicals, as well as a number of synthetic pharmacological substances in these ways. Most of the compounds demonstrate the geroprotective potential and increase the lifespan in model organisms. However, their genome-protecting effects are non-selective and often are conditioned by hormesis. Consequently, the development of selective drugs targeting genome protection is an advanced direction.

Genotoxicity assessment of saline extract from Pilosocereus gounellei (Cactaceae) and its chemopreventive effect against cyclophosphamide-induced DNA damage

Pilosocereus gounellei (Cactaceae) is used to treat wounds and inflammation. In this study, we evaluated whether the saline extract from its stem would have genotoxic or anti-genotoxic effects. In the genotoxicity evaluation, mice received the extract (500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg) orally while negative and positive controls were treated with saline solution (0.9% NaCl) per os and cyclophosphamide (CPA, 80 mg/kg i.p.), respectively. In the anti-genotoxicity assay, using other animals, treatments were carried out by administering the extract (500, 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg) or saline solution (negative control) per os and then CPA (80 mg/kg i.p.) 1 h later. Genotoxic effects were evaluated by micronucleus test and comet assay using peripheral blood and bone marrow cells. Oral administration of only the extract at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg did not result in genotoxicity. A slight increase in the incidence of micronucleus was observed at the highest dose (2,000 mg/kg). Administration of the extract before CPA reduced the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) number by 49.07–71.43%, and DNA fragmentation in peripheral blood (85.04–94.44%) and bone marrow (87.43–92.70%) cells also decreased. In conclusion, when administered orally at the tested doses, the extract is genotoxically safe, being cautious in doses above 1,000 mg/kg, and has a protective effect against CPA-induced DNA damage.

Can Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds Combat Lipid Peroxidation Product 4-HNE-Induced Deleterious Effects?

The toxic reactive aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) belongs to the advanced lipid peroxidation end products. Accumulation of 4-HNE and formation of 4-HNE adducts induced by redox imbalance participate in several cytotoxic processes, which contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of oxidative stress-related human disorders. Medicinal plants and bioactive natural compounds are suggested to be attractive sources of potential agents to mitigate oxidative stress, but little is known about the therapeutic potentials especially on combating 4-HNE-induced deleterious effects. Of note, some investigations clarify the attenuation of medicinal plants and bioactive compounds on 4-HNE-induced disturbances, but strong evidence is needed that these plants and compounds serve as potent agents in the prevention and treatment of disorders driven by 4-HNE. Therefore, this review highlights the pharmacological basis of these medicinal plants and bioactive compounds to combat 4-HNE-induced deleterious effects in oxidative stress-related disorders, such as neurotoxicity and neurological disorder, eye damage, cardiovascular injury, liver injury, and energy metabolism disorder. In addition, this review briefly discusses with special attention to the strategies for developing potential therapies by future applications of these medicinal plants and bioactive compounds, which will help biological and pharmacological scientists to explore the new vistas of medicinal plants in combating 4-HNE-induced deleterious effects.