Journal of Ginseng Research最新文献

{"title":"Comprehensive metabolomic profiling of Panax quinquefolius: qualitative and quantitative analysis across different habitats, harvesting seasons and parts by UPLC/Triple TOF-MS and UPLC/Qtrap-MS","authors":"Shou-rong Wu ,&nbsp;Shuo Yuan ,&nbsp;Yi-fan Li,&nbsp;Xiang-yang Liu,&nbsp;Peng-fei Tu,&nbsp;Xiao-yu Guo,&nbsp;Yong Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.11.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.11.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Panax quinquefolius</em> L. (PQ, or American ginseng), is native to North America but is now widely cultivated in China. However, current research primarily focuses on ginsenosides, lacking comprehensive evaluation methods for other chemical constituents. There is also a notable gap in systematic comparisons across different habitats, as well as in-depth analyses of variations due to harvest seasons and plant parts. These gaps hinder the identification of appropriate and differential markers for distinguishing PQ from different sources.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A UPLC/Triple TOF-MS approach was employed for comprehensive characterization of the chemical constituents of PQ. Additionally, a widely targeted metabolomics approach based on UPLC/Qtrap-MS was adopted for for PQ, encompassing samples from diverse habitats (<em>n</em> = 64), harvesting seasons (<em>n</em> = 34), and plant parts (<em>n</em> = 47). A precise quantification method for 17 representative compounds was further employed to verify the potential differential markers.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 214 compounds were tentatively identified from PQ. Widely targeted metabolomics coupled with multivariate statistical analysis revealed that distinct chemical profiles existed in different habitats, different harvest seasons, and different parts of PQ. Notably, PQ samples from Shandong showed closer chemical profiles to those from North American samples. Several differential markers, including ginsenosides and organic acids, were identified and subsequently validated by precise quantification.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study established a comprehensive, systematic, and highly applicable qualitative and quantitative method to compare PQ from different habitats, harvesting seasons, and plant parts. The approach provided detailed chemical characterization and robust quality evaluation, offering a solid foundation for further research and application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100927"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a MIRA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid detection system for the discrimination of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolium","authors":"Yanchao Yang ,&nbsp;Dongfan Yang ,&nbsp;Meina Shi ,&nbsp;Zifeng Huang ,&nbsp;Xuening Zhang ,&nbsp;Dayuan Zheng ,&nbsp;Tong Chu ,&nbsp;Wenzhe Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.11.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.11.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Accurate identification of closely related herbal species is essential for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and authenticity of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products. <em>Panax ginseng</em> (PG) and <em>Panax quinquefolium</em> (PQ) are two widely used ginseng species with similar morphological characteristics but distinct pharmacological profiles and market values.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We developed a nucleic acid detection platform that integrates multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification (MIRA) with CRISPR/Cas12a-based fluorescence or lateral flow assay (LFA) for the rapid discrimination of PG and PQ. By targeting highly divergent mitochondrial gene regions, we designed species-specific crRNAs that enabled precise identification of PG and PQ with high sensitivity and specificity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>By optimizing the conditions, the system can effectively distinguish PG and PQ, with a fluorescence detection limit of 10⁻⁴ ng/μL and a LFA detection limit of 10⁻³ ng/μL. It was also validated using 29 commercial samples including complex Chinese medicines. Compared with traditional DNA barcoding, the MIRA-CRISPR/Cas12a system demonstrated superior performance in detecting mixed or processed herbal products.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This method offers a promising solution for point-of-care testing (POCT) in TCM quality control and provides a foundation for broader applications of CRISPR-based molecular authentication in herbal medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100923"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cellular and molecular regulation of skin by ginseng and its bioactive Constituents: A review of studies from 2021 to 2025","authors":"Long You ,&nbsp;Yeye Hu ,&nbsp;Zuo Zhang ,&nbsp;Xuan Liu ,&nbsp;Lei Jin ,&nbsp;Xinfeng Wang ,&nbsp;Jae Youl Cho","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2026.100982","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2026.100982","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The skin functions as the first line of defense against external and internal stressors, containing pathogen invasion, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and the loss of collagen and hydrogen, all of which could finally cause skin damage and cellular senescence. Over time, a large plenty of strategies, including herb therapies, have been developed to protect skin health. Ginseng is a well-known traditional herbal medicine that has been widely applied in various diseases. In recent years, ginseng and its bioactive compounds attracted increasing attention in dermatological and cosmeceutical research because of their modulatory effects on inflammation, melanogenesis, skin barrier function, and skin regeneration. Five years ago, a paper summarized the skin-protective properties and mechanisms of Korean Red Ginseng in different types of skin cells. Since then, another lustrum has passed, during which some new functions and insights related to ginseng in skin have been reported. Therefore, this paper reviews studies published over the past five years that investigate the effects and mechanisms of ginseng-derived compounds in keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts. Moreover, the corresponding animal models are organized and discussed. This review provides an updated and structured reference to support future phytopharmacological and cosmeceutical development of ginseng-based studies for skin health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100982"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanistic insights into the regulation of glucose‒lipid metabolism by the bioactive constituents of ginseng","authors":"Yue Zhang ,&nbsp;Rui Hao ,&nbsp;Qi Zhong ,&nbsp;Mingda Han ,&nbsp;Shuang Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiao Sun ,&nbsp;Jiarui Li ,&nbsp;Min Li ,&nbsp;Xiaolin Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Panax ginseng</em> Meyer (<em>P. ginseng</em>, PG), a historically used phytotherapeutic agent with a long history and wide-ranging applications, has garnered increasing attention in recent years because of its considerable pharmacological value. Amid the global rise in metabolic disorders, <em>P. ginseng</em>, as a natural product, has been demonstrated to contain various bioactive components—including ginsenosides, <em>P. ginseng</em> polysaccharides, and <em>P. ginseng</em> peptides—that have significant pharmacological effects on glucose and lipid metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These bioactive compounds modulate glucose and lipid metabolism through multitarget mechanisms, including enhancing glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis, inhibiting gluconeogenesis, and regulating adipocyte differentiation and fatty acid oxidation, as well as through gut microbiota-mediated regulation of glucose‒lipid metabolism. These effects help alleviate pathological conditions such as insulin resistance (IR), inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, involving key signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). As a result, <em>P. ginseng</em> shows significant promise and holds great potential for preventing and treating glucose‒lipid metabolic disorders. Ongoing advances in research and technology may further elucidate its underlying mechanisms and facilitate clinical translation, paving the way for the development of more effective therapeutics for metabolic regulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100928"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rg1-R1 attenuates cardiac ischemia/reperfusion-induced endothelial cell injury through activating the ULK1/PGAM5-FUNDC1-mitophagy pathway","authors":"Xiayinan Song ,&nbsp;Jinlan Deng ,&nbsp;Danyang Wang ,&nbsp;Zhenzhen Zheng ,&nbsp;Chao Li ,&nbsp;Jie Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.100973","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.100973","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Mitochondrial dysfunction has been recognized as a pivotal pathological mechanism underlying myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI).Ginsenoside Rg1 and notoginsenoside R1 exhibits cardioprotective effects against MIRI. However, their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of Rg1 and R1 in ameliorating cardiomyocyte injury through mitophagy regulation, with a focus on elucidating the molecular crosstalk between these compounds and key mitophagy-related signaling pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cardiac injury in mice was induced by subjecting the heart to 45 min of ischemia followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Post-injury, the mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of Rg1-R1. The effects of Rg1-R1 on MIRI were assessed through electrocardiography, echocardiography, HE/Masson staining, and Transmission Electron Microscope. The impact of Rg1-R1 on biochemical markers of myocardial injury was also analyzed. Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were pretreated with Rg1-R1 prior to being exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Subsequently, cellular function and mitochondrial function were evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our results indicated that in vivo, Rg1-R1 improved MIRI-induced cardiac dysfunction; in vitro, exposure of CMECs to Rg1-R1 reduced H/R injury severity and protected mitochondria. Further studies illustrated the protective effect of Rg1-R1 achieved via the regulation of FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy. In addition, we found that Rg1-R1 exerted these protective effects by activating FUNDC1-dependent mitophagy through the ULK1/PGAM5 pathway.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our results indicated that Rg1-R1 attenuates MIRI-induced endothelial cell injury through activating the ULK1/PGAM5-FUNDC1-mitophagy pathway, and may represent a novel therapeutic target in the context of MIRI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100973"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recombinant single-chain variable fragment-based immunoassay for the authentication of Vietnamese ginseng via quantitative detection of majonoside R2","authors":"Jiranan Chaingam ,&nbsp;Poomraphie Nuntawong ,&nbsp;Le Van Huy ,&nbsp;Sornkanok Vimolmangkang ,&nbsp;Varalee Yodsurang ,&nbsp;Seiichi Sakamoto","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.100974","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.100974","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Majonoside R2 (MR2) is an ocotillol-type saponin found at 3 %–5 % (w/w) in <em>Panax vietnamensis</em> that serves as a critical biomarker for authenticating sought-after Vietnamese ginseng varieties, such as Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau. However, widespread adulteration with morphologically similar species has created an urgent need for high-throughput, cost-effective authentication methods beyond chromatographic or deoxyribonucleic acid-based techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody against MR2 was recombinantly expressed in <em>Escherichia coli</em>, purified, and functionally validated. Using this antibody, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (icELISA) approach was optimized for MR2 quantification in complex herbal matrices. The performance of this novel assay was benchmarked against that of a previously validated method using monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based ELISA and verified using authentic <em>Panax</em> spp. and <em>Randia siamensis</em> samples.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>The scFv-based icELISA demonstrated a detection range of 31.25–1000 ng/mL for MR2, with high reproducibility and accuracy (CV &lt;12.4 %, recovery 90.6 %–116.7 %). The assay was found to reliably distinguish authentic Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginsengs from other <em>Panax</em> species with high specificity. Recombinant expression in <em>E. coli</em> enables scalable, animal-free production, facilitating the broader adoption of this icELISA across laboratories equipped with standard molecular biology infrastructure. These findings support the integration of scFv-based assays into regulatory frameworks for authenticating Vietnamese ginseng.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100974"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First-year seasonal growth regulation mechanism underlying storage root thickening in perennial Panax ginseng","authors":"Jeongeui Hong ,&nbsp;Wonsil Bae ,&nbsp;Jung-Woo Lee ,&nbsp;Jang-Uk Kim ,&nbsp;Kyung Ho Ma ,&nbsp;Donghwan Shim ,&nbsp;Hojin Ryu","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.09.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.09.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Panax ginseng</em> (Korean ginseng) is a valuable perennial medicinal herb characterized by its unique storage roots, which develop through an annual growth cycle. Despite its significant agricultural and pharmaceutical importance, the molecular mechanisms driving the seasonal thickening of storage roots remain poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study utilized histological analysis and genome-wide transcriptome profiling to investigate the development of 1-year-old <em>P. ginseng</em> storage roots at early, middle, and late growth stages. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and network analyses were conducted to identify key signaling pathways. Additionally, the effects of exogenous treatment with storage root development related factors and transgenic <em>Arabidopsis</em> plants overexpressing <em>PgEXP</em>4 were evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The development of storage roots was characterized by the regeneration, activation and dormancy cycles of the vascular cambium. Early-stage growth was regulated by auxin, gibberellin (GA), and nitrate signaling, promoting cambium regeneration and storage parenchyma cell differentiation. Middle-stage growth involved enhanced cell division, cell wall biogenesis, and secondary growth facilitated by the GA-expansin module. Consistently, transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing <em>PgEXP4</em> showed enhanced root growth, suggesting its role in cell expansion during root development. Late-stage growth showed upregulation of jasmonic acid (JA) pathways, indicating their role in preparing for dormancy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study elucidates the first-year seasonal growth regulation mechanisms of <em>P. ginseng</em> storage roots, highlighting the intricate hormonal and genetic interactions across developmental stages. These findings provide insights into optimizing ginseng cultivation practices and enhancing crop yields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100901"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metagenomics reveals an interaction among rhizosphere microbial community, soil properties and active ingredients in a medicinal crop Panax notoginseng","authors":"Zheng-Wei Liang ,&nbsp;Yan-Hui Guan ,&nbsp;Zheng Lv ,&nbsp;Sheng-Chao Yang ,&nbsp;Ming Zhao ,&nbsp;Jun-Wen Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.11.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.11.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study aimed to examine the effects of intensive cultivation practices on the rhizosphere microecology of <em>Panax notoginseng</em>. Additionally, we sought to compare these practices with an understory cultivation model that was intended to mimic native growth conditions, with the objective of improving the quality of Radix Notoginseng.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The total saponin and active ingredient content in both cultivation methods were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The nutrients of the rhizosphere soils associated with both cultivation methods (understory cultivated <em>P. notoginseng</em> rhizosphere soil [UCPS] and intensive cultivated <em>P. notoginseng</em> rhizosphere soil [ICPS]) were analyzed. The microbial communities present in UCPS and ICPS were characterized using metagenomic sequencing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The underground biomass accounted for 71.21 % and 74.00 % of the total biomass in understory cultivated <em>P. notoginseng</em> (UCPn) and intensively cultivated <em>P. notoginseng</em> (ICPn), respectively. The total saponin content in the main root of UCPn was found to be 109.24 ± 3.40 mg/g, compared to 91.31 ± 5.82 mg/g in ICPn. The concentration of medicinal ingredients (ginsenoside Rb1 + ginsenoside Rg1 + notoginsenoside R1) in UCPn was 10.83 %, while ICPn exhibited a higher concentration of 13.39 %. Microbial biomarkers identified in UCPS include <em>Bradyrhizobium</em>, <em>Pseudomonas</em>, and <em>Paraburkholderia</em>, which are associated with nitrogen cycling processes. In contrast, <em>Variovorax</em> and <em>Sphingobium</em> were predominant in ICPS, contributing to phosphorus metabolism.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Rhizosphere soil microbial biomarkers influence soil carbon nutrition, which directly impacts the quality of UCPn. The quality of ICPn is primarily determined by phosphorus-related biomarkers, with indirect influences from carbon and nitrogen nutrition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100918"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of red ginseng beverage on menopausal symptoms in Chinese women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial","authors":"XueYing Wang ,&nbsp;Yi Yang ,&nbsp;TianYu Zheng ,&nbsp;ChengZhi Wang ,&nbsp;SiYu Qu ,&nbsp;HongMei Luo ,&nbsp;Chi Xu ,&nbsp;YanLing Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Menopause involves both physical and psychological changes, notably vasomotor and mood symptoms. Menopausal symptoms adversely affect women's quality of life and work. This study evaluates the effects of red ginseng beverage (RGB) on menopausal symptoms in Chinese women.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This 90-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 112 eligible women assigned to either an RGB or placebo group. Primary outcomes were the Kupperman Index. Secondary outcomes included vasomotor markers, psychological assessments, lipid profiles, exercise-induced fatigue test indicators and safety indicators. Safety assessments included fire-heat symptom scale, female hormone levels, endometrial thickness, breast ultrasound, and standard laboratory tests. All outcomes were assessed at baseline and upon study completion.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>RGB group primary outcomes compared to placebo: (1) the <em>Kupperman Index</em> (KI) scores were significantly improved after test (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), (2) the levels of serum nitric oxide (NO) increased significantly (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01), the content of and endothelin-1 (ET-1) decreased significantly (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01); the results of the secondary outcomes in RGB group: (1) <em>Beck Depression Inventory</em> (BDI) and <em>Athens Insomnia Scale</em> (AIS) scores decreased significantly (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), (2) Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), (3) Creatine kinase and blood lactate decreased significantly (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), subjective physical strength rating scale scores decreased significantly (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). No intergroup differences were observed in hormonal levels, endometrial thickness, urinalysis, hematology, or biochemistry. RGB administration showed no significant effect on <em>fire-heat symptom scores</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings demonstrate RGB's efficacy and safety for menopausal symptom management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100931"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ginsenoside Re regulates PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis to inhibit endothelial cell migration to ameliorate atherosclerosis","authors":"Zhihui Wang ,&nbsp;Junyu Mou ,&nbsp;Wen Han ,&nbsp;Siyuan Liu ,&nbsp;Min Wang ,&nbsp;Guibo Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.11.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2025.11.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Atherosclerosis (AS) is a major cause of severe cardiovascular disease and stroke. Ginsenoside Re (Re) has been shown to significantly alleviate AS in mice. Our study demonstrates for the first time that Re can reduce endothelial cell (EC) glycolysis, although the specific mechanism remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The effects of Re on lipid levels, aortic wall thickness, inflammation, and aortic fibrosis in AS mice were assessed by measuring serum lipids, carotid artery intima-media thickness, Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson, and Oil Red O staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of Re on EC proliferation and migration were examined using CCK-8 and wound healing assays in a human umbilical vein endothelial cell model stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to investigate the PFKFB3-HIF-1α-VEGFA-VEGFR2 pathways in vivo and in vitro.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Re demonstrated strong anti-AS activity, evidenced by improved blood lipid profiles, reduced inflammatory factors, and decreased levels of glycolysis-related products and enzymes. In vivo, Re protected against AS by inhibiting glycolysis. In vitro, Re suppressed EC migration through inhibition of the glycolysis-related PFKFB3-HIF-1α-VEGFA-VEGFR2 pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Re may benefit AS mice by inhibiting EC glycolysis and migration through suppression of the PFKFB3-HIF-1α-VEGFA-VEGFR2 pathways. This work broadens the theoretical basis for the therapeutic use of Re in AS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"50 2","pages":"Article 100924"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}