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Cho YK, Kim JE, Lee J. Korean Red Ginseng slows coreceptor switch in HIV-1 infected patients. J Ginseng Res 2023; 47:117-122. [PMID: 36644395 PMCID: PMC9834003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) that binds to the coreceptor CCR5 (R5 viruses) can evolve into viruses that bind to the coreceptor CXCR4 (X4 viruses), with high viral replication rates governing this coreceptor switch. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) treatment of HIV-1 infected patients has been found to slow the depletion of CD4+ T cells. This study assessed whether the KRG-associated slow depletion of CD4+ T cells was associated with coreceptor switching. Methods This study included 146 HIV-1-infected patients naïve to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and seven patients receiving ART. A total of 540 blood samples were obtained from these patients over 122 ± 129 months. Their env genes were amplified by nested PCR or RT-PCR and subjected to direct sequencing. Tropism was determined with a 10% false positive rate (FPR) cutoff. Results Of the 146 patients naïve to ART, 102 were KRG-naïve, and 44 had been treated with KRG. Evaluation of initial samples showed that coreceptor switch had occurred in 19 patients, later occurring in 38 additional patients. There was a significant correlation between the amount of KRG and FPR. Based on initial samples, the R5 maintenance period was extended 2.35-fold, with the coreceptor switch being delayed 2.42-fold in KRG-treated compared with KRG-naïve patients. The coreceptor switch occurred in 85% of a homogeneous cohort. The proportion of patients who maintained R5 for ≥10 years was significantly higher in long-term slow progressors than in typical progressors. Conclusion KRG therapy extends R5 maintenance period by increasing FPR, thereby slowing the coreceptor switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Keol Cho
- Corresponding author. Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.
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Cho YK, Kim JE, Lee J. Impact of HIV-1 subtypes on gross deletion in the nef gene after Korean Red Ginseng treatment. J Ginseng Res 2022; 46:731-737. [PMID: 36312730 PMCID: PMC9597433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methods Results Conclusion
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The frequency of defective genes in vif and vpr genes in 20 hemophiliacs is associated with Korean Red Ginseng and highly active antiretroviral therapy: the impact of lethal mutations in vif and vpr genes on HIV-1 evolution. J Ginseng Res 2020; 45:149-155. [PMID: 33437166 PMCID: PMC7790868 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We have reported that internal deletions in the nef, gag, and pol genes in HIV-1–infected patients are induced in those treated with Korean Red Ginseng (KRG). KRG delays the development of resistance mutations to antiretroviral drugs. Methods The vif-vpr genes over 26 years in 20 hemophiliacs infected with HIV-1 from a single source were sequenced to investigate whether vif-vpr genes were affected by KRG and KRG plus highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) (hereafter called GCT) and compared the results with our previous data. Results A significantly higher number of in-frame small deletions were found in the vif-vpr genes of KRG-treated patients than at the baseline, in control patients, and in ART-alone patients (p < 0.001). These were significantly reduced in GCT patients (p < 0.05). In contrast, sequences harboring a premature stop codon (SC) were more significant in GCT patients (10.1%) than in KRG-alone patients, control (p < 0.01), and ART-alone patients (p = 0.078 for peripheral blood mononuclear cells). The proportion of SC in Vpr was similar to that in Vif, whereas the proportion of sequences revealing SC in the env-nef genes was significantly lower than that in the pol-vif-vpr genes (p < 0.01). The genetic distance was 1.8 times higher in the sequences harboring SC than in the sequences without SC (p < 0.001). Q135P in the vif gene is significantly associated with rapid progression to AIDS (p < 0.01). Conclusion Our data show that KRG might induce sΔ in the vif-vpr genes and that vif-vpr genes are similarly affected by lethal mutations.
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Cho YK, Kim JE, Woo JH. Korean Red Ginseng increases defective pol gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-1-infected patients; inhibition of its detection during ginseng-based combination therapy. J Ginseng Res 2019; 43:684-691. [PMID: 31695572 PMCID: PMC6823744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We have reported that defective nef and gag genes are induced in HIV-1–infected patients treated with Korean Red Ginseng (KRG). Methods To investigate whether KRG treatment and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) affect genetic defects in the pol gene, we amplified and sequenced a partial pol gene (p-pol) containing the integrase portion (1.2 kb) by nested PCR with sequential peripheral blood mononuclear cells over 20 years and compared it with those patients at baseline, in control patients, those taking ginseng-based combination therapy (GCT; KRG plus combinational antiretroviral therapy) and HAART alone. We also compared our findings to look for the full-length pol gene (pol) (3.0-kb) Results Twenty-patients infected with subtype B were treated with KRG for 116 ± 58 months in the absence of HAART. Internal deletion in the pol gene (Δpol) was significantly higher in the KRG group (11.9%) than in the control group and at baseline; its detection was significantly inhibited during GCT as much as during HAART. In addition, the Δpol in p-pol significantly depended on the duration of KRG treatment. In pol, the proportion of Δpol was significantly higher in the KRG group (38.7%) than in the control group, and it was significantly inhibited during GCT and HAART. In contrast, the proportion of stop codon appeared not to be affected by KRG treatment. The PCR success rate was significantly decreased with longer GCT. Conclusion The proportion of Δpol depends on template size as well as KRG treatment. HAART decreases the detection of Δpol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Keol Cho
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hee Woo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine that plays a protective role against microbial attack. Several studies have revealed its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory effects. Ginseng contains several components that vary according to the year of cultivation and the processing method used, such as heating, drying, and steaming, which induce different degrees of pharmacological activities. This review discusses the antibacterial effects of ginseng against pathogenic bacterial infections. We describe how ginseng regulates pathogenic factors that are harmful to the host and discuss the therapeutic potential of ginseng as a natural antibacterial drug to combat bacterial infectious disease, which is a global public health challenge. The components of ginseng could be novel alternatives to solve the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Ram Kim
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, S. Korea; Department of Bionanotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04673, S. Korea
| | - Chul-Su Yang
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, S. Korea; Department of Bionanotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04673, S. Korea
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Cho YK, Kim JE, Woo JH. Genetic defects in the nef gene are associated with Korean Red Ginseng intake: monitoring of nef sequence polymorphisms over 20 years. J Ginseng Res 2016; 41:144-150. [PMID: 28413318 PMCID: PMC5386103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The presence of gross deletions in the human immunodeficiency virus nef gene (gΔnef) is associated with long-term nonprogression of infected patients. Here, we investigated how quickly genetic defects in the nef gene are associated with Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) intake in 10 long-term slow progressors. Methods This study was divided into three phases over a 20-yr period; baseline, KRG intake alone, and KRG plus highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART). nef gene amplicons were obtained using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR from 10 long-term slow progressors (n = 1,396), and nested PCR from 36 control patients (n = 198), and 28 ART patients (n = 157), and these were then sequenced. The proportion of gΔnef, premature stop codons, and not in-frame insertion or deletion of a nucleotide was compared between three phases, control, and ART patients. Results The proportion of defective nef genes was significantly higher in on-KRG patients (15.6%) than in baseline (5.7%), control (5.6%), on-KRG plus ART phase (7.8%), and on-ART patients (6.6%; p < 0.01). Small in-frame deletions or insertions were significantly more frequent among patients treated with KRG alone compared with controls (p < 0.01). Significantly fewer instances of genetic defects were detected in samples taken during the KRG plus ART phase (7.8%; p < 0.01). The earliest defects detected were gΔnef and small in-frame deletions after 7 mo and 67 mo of KRG intake, respectively. Conclusion KRG treatment might induce genetic defects in the nef gene. This report provides new insight into the importance of genetic defects in the pathogenesis of AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Keol Cho
- Department of Microbiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun-Hee Woo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Im K, Kim J, Min H. Ginseng, the natural effectual antiviral: Protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng against viral infection. J Ginseng Res 2015; 40:309-314. [PMID: 27746682 PMCID: PMC5052424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a heat-processed ginseng developed by the repeated steaming and air-drying of fresh ginseng. Compared with fresh ginseng, KRG has been shown to possess greater pharmacological activities and stability because of changes that occur in its chemical constituents during the steaming process. In addition to anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory activities, KRG and its purified components have also been shown to possess protective effects against microbial infections. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the properties of KRG and its components on infections with human pathogenic viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, influenza virus, human immunodeficiency virus, human herpes virus, hepatitis virus, norovirus, rotavirus, enterovirus, and coxsackievirus. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of KRG as an antiviral and vaccine adjuvant is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hyeyoung Min
- Corresponding author. College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseokro, Dongjakgu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
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Kim BR, Kim JE, Sung H, Cho YK. Long-term follow up of HIV-1-infected Korean haemophiliacs, after infection from a common source of virus. Haemophilia 2015; 21:e1-11. [PMID: 25545303 DOI: 10.1111/hae.12527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the early 1990s, 20 haemophiliacs (HPs) were infected with a common source of HIV-1 viruses through the contaminated clotting factor IX. The aim of this study is to review 20 HPs infected with a common source of virus. The enrolled patients have been consecutively treated with Korean red ginseng (KRG), zidovudine (ZDV) or two-drug therapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We determined full-length pol gene over 20 years and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I with peripheral blood mononuclear cells and reviewed medical records. Eighteen HPs experienced various opportunistic infections or clinical manifestations. There were significant inverse correlations between the HLA prognostic score and the annual decrease in CD4+ T-cell counts prior to HAART (AD) (P < 0.05) and the amount of KRG and the AD (P < 0.01). From 1998, the HPs had been treated with HAART. Each of the two patients died without and with HAART regimen respectively. At present, 16 HPs have been alive with HAART. Among the 16 HPs, 12 and 4 are on HAART-plus-KRG and HAART only respectively. Eleven HPs including 2 HPs with G-to-A hypermutations had revealed resistance mutations. Ten and two HPs have shown poor adherence and incomplete viral suppres-sion on HAART respectively. Virological failure based on WHO guidelines was not observed on KRG-plus-HAART. Two HPs revealed additional resistance mutations against two classes on KRG-plus-HAART. As a nationwide study, we first report overall features on clinical course of Korean haemophiliacs. Further education on the importance of drug adherence is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B-R Kim
- Departments of Microbiology; and Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
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Effects of Korean Red Ginseng and HAART on vif Gene in 10 Long-Term Slow Progressors over 20 Years: High Frequency of Deletions and G-to-A Hypermutation. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:871648. [PMID: 24319487 PMCID: PMC3844231 DOI: 10.1155/2013/871648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
To investigate if Korean red ginseng (KRG) affects vif gene, we determined vif gene over 20 years in 10 long-term slowly progressing patients (LTSP) who were treated with KRG alone and then KRG plus HAART. We also compared these data with those of 21 control patients who did not receive KRG. Control patient group harbored only one premature stop codon (PSC) (0.9%), whereas the 10 LTSP revealed 78 defective genes (18.1%) (P < 0.001). The frequency of small in-frame deletions was found to be significantly higher in patients who received KRG alone (10.5%) than 0% in the pre-KRG or control patients (P < 0.01). Regarding HAART, vif genes containing PSCs were more frequently detected in patients receiving KRG plus HAART than patients receiving KRG alone or control patients (P < 0.01). In conclusion, our current data suggest that the high frequency of deletions and PSC in the vif gene is associated with KRG intake and HAART, respectively.
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Kang S, Min H. Ginseng, the 'Immunity Boost': The Effects of Panax ginseng on Immune System. J Ginseng Res 2013; 36:354-68. [PMID: 23717137 PMCID: PMC3659612 DOI: 10.5142/jgr.2012.36.4.354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Thousands of literatures have described the diverse role of ginseng in physiological processes such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, insulin resistance, and hypertension. In particular, ginseng has been extensively reported to maintain homeostasis of the immune system and to enhance resistance to illness or microbial attacks through the regulation of immune system. Immune system comprises of different types of cells fulfilling their own specialized functions, and each type of the immune cells is differentially influenced and may be simultaneously controlled by ginseng treatment. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of ginseng on immune system. We discuss how ginseng regulates each type of immune cells including macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells. We also describe how ginseng exhibits beneficial effects on controlling inflammatory diseases and microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soowon Kang
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
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Cho YK, Kim JE, Foley BT. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length HIV type 1 genomic sequences from 21 Korean individuals. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2013. [PMID: 23199052 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2012.0298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Korean subclade of subtype B (KSB) is the most prevalent HIV-1 strain found in Korea. To date, only two near full-length HIV-1 sequences from Korean patients have been reported. Here, we analyzed a total of 24 near full-length genomes of HIV-1 strains that were isolated from 17 antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive patients and four ART-exposed patients. Proviral DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was PCR amplified and directly sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses were used to classify viruses from 19 patients as KSB, from one patient as subtype B, from one patient as subtype D, and three viruses from one patient as CRF02_AG. All KSB viruses demonstrated TAAAA instead of TATAA at the TATA box in the LTR. Of the 19 KSB patients, their sequence identities at the nucleotide level ranged from 89.8% to 97.1% from the lowest env gene to the highest pol gene. Other than the CRF02_AG viruses, no recombination events were noted in any of the 19 KSB patients, which is consistent with our previous studies on the pol, vif, and nef genes. Except for one strain, all of the strains were classified as non-syncytium-inducing strains. This is the first report to describe near full-length KSB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Keol Cho
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Brian T. Foley
- HIV Databases, Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
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