Advances in biotransformation of protopanaxatriol rare ginsenoside / 中草药

Ginseng is a traditional medicine in Asian countries. Ginsenoside has the main active ingredient, exhibit cardiovascular, tumor, and central nervous system activities. In particular, protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides Rh1, exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and memory improvement activities. Ginsenoside Rh1 is only found in trace amounts in Panax ginseng, Panax pseudoginseng var. notoginseng, and Panax quinquefolius. Biotransformation of rare ginsenosides has become an effective way. In this paper, the research progress of transformation of ginsenoside saponins by biotransformation to produce rare ginsenoside Rh1 is reviewed, which provides a useful reference for the further development and preparation of ginsenoside Rh1.

Evaluation of anti-allergic and anti-anaphylactic activity of ethanolic extract of Zizyphus jujuba fruits in rodents

The present study reports the anti-allergic activity of ethanolic extract of Zizyphus jujuba Mill., Rhamnaceae, and its possible mode of action. The effect of extract of Z. jujuba at different doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, orally) was simulated on studied animal models of asthma and allergy: a) milk induced eosinophilia and leukocytosis; b) compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation; and, c) active and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. In addition, extract of Z. jujuba's effect on sensitized guinea pig ileum (ex vivo) and tracheal chain preparations (in vitro) were investigated.Treatment with extract of Z. jujuba at all doses significantly: prevented the milk-induced eosinophilia and compound 48/80 induced degranulation of mesenteric mast cells; decreased passive cutaneous and active anaphylactic reactions. In addition, extract of Z. jujuba inhibited acetylcholine as well as histamine induced tracheal chain contraction, and also antigen induced contraction of sensitized guinea pig ileum (Shultz-Dale inhibition test). Furthermore, it exhibited also free radicals scavenging activity (in vitro). The observed anti-allergic and anti-anaphylactic activity of extract of Z. jujuba may be largely through the stabilization of mast cells by the membrane presence of phytoconstituents (steroidal saponins and flavonoids).