Protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside hydrolases and their application in the preparation of ginsenoside Compound K: a review / 生物工程学报

Ginsenoside Compound K (CK) has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory pharmacological activities. It has not been isolated from natural ginseng and is mainly prepared by deglycosylation of protopanaxadiol. Compared with the traditional physicochemical preparation methods, the preparation of CK by hydrolysis with protopanaxadiol-type (PPD-type) ginsenoside hydrolases has the advantages of high specificity, environmental-friendliness, high efficiency and high stability. In this review, the PPD-type ginsenoside hydrolases were classified into three categories based on the differences in the glycosyl-linked carbon atoms of the hydrolase action. It was found that most of the hydrolases that could prepare CK were PPD-type ginsenoside hydrolase type Ⅲ. In addition, the applications of hydrolases in the preparation of CK were summarized and evaluated to facilitate large-scale preparation of CK and its development in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Biotransformation differences of ginsenoside compound K mediated by the gut microbiota from diabetic patients and healthy subjects / 中国天然药物

Many natural products can be bio-converted by the gut microbiota to influence pertinent efficiency. Ginsenoside compound K (GCK) is a potential anti-type 2 diabetes (T2D) saponin, which is mainly bio-transformed into protopanaxadiol (PPD) by the gut microbiota. Studies have shown that the gut microbiota between diabetic patients and healthy subjects are significantly different. Herein, we aimed to characterize the biotransformation of GCK mediated by the gut microbiota from diabetic patients and healthy subjects. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the results indicated the bacterial profiles were considerably different between the two groups, especially Alistipes and Parabacteroides that increased in healthy subjects. The quantitative analysis of GCK and PPD showed that gut microbiota from the diabetic patients metabolized GCK slower than healthy subjects through liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The selected strain A. finegoldii and P. merdae exhibited a different metabolic capability of GCK. In conclusion, the different biotransformation capacity for GCK may impact its anti-diabetic potency.

Therapeutic effect of ginsenoside metabolite compound K on mouse psoriasis induced by imiquimod / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the mechanism of therapeutic effect of ginsenoside metabolite compound K (GCK) on imiquimod-induced psoriasis mice. Methods Model mice induced by imiquimod (IMQ) were randomly divided into the following groups; model group, GCK (14, 28, 56, 112 mg • kg-

Mechanism of ginsenoside CK inhibiting proliferation of human colon cancer SW480 cells / 中草药

Objective: To study the effects of ginsenoside CK on proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer cell line SW480, and further explore the mechanism. Methods: Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by flow cytometry. Hoechst staining further detected apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect the release of cytochrome C and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved Caspase-3. Results: Ginsenoside CK had a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human colon cancer cell line SW480. Ginsenoside CK induced SW480 cells arrest in G0/G1 phase, promoted early apoptotic cells, significantly increased intracellular ROS levels and reduced the MMP level. Ginsenoside CK promoted the expression of Bax and cleaved-Caspase-3 and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2. In addition, ginsenoside CK released a large amount of cytochrome C in SW480 cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside CK has a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human colon cancer cell line SW480. The mechanism may be through the promotion of mitochondrial superoxide elevation, resulting in a significant increase in intracellular ROS levels and a significant decrease in MMP level, further leading to the release of cytochrome C, the up-regulated expression of Bax, the down-regulated expression of Bcl-2, and ultimately leading to apoptosis of cells.

Quantification of Panax notoginseng saponins metabolites in rat plasma with in vivo gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation by HPLC-MS/MS / 中国天然药物

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are the major components of Panax notoginseng, with multiple pharmacological activities but poor oral bioavailability. PNS could be metabolized by gut microbiota in vitro, while the exact role of gut microbiota of PNS metabolism in vivo remains poorly understood. In this study, pseudo germ-free rat models were constructed by using broad-spectrum antibiotics to validate the gut microbiota-mediated transformation of PNS in vivo. Moreover, a high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed for quantitative analysis of four metabolites of PNS, including ginsenoside F1 (GF1), ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2), ginsenoside compound K (GCK) and protopanaxatriol (PPT). The results showed that the four metabolites could be detected in the control rat plasma, while they could not be determined in pseudo germ-free rat plasma. The results implied that PNS could not be biotransformed effectively when gut microbiota was disrupted. In conclusion, gut microbiota plays an important role in biotransformation of PNS into metabolites in vivo.

Simultaneous determination of 20 active constituents in Maiweishen by HPLC / 中草药

Objective: To evaluate the quality of Maiweishen, a simple and accurate HPLC method for determining the contents of 20 active constituents from Maiweishen was established. Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using a mobile phase made up of acetonitrile and water at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength and column temperature were set as 203 nm and 35 ℃, respectively. Results: Sixteen ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rg2, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, F1, Rd, F2, Rg3, protopanaxatriol, compounds K, Rh2, and protopanaxadiol), three kinds of lignan in Schisandra chinensis (schizandrol A, schizandrin A, B), and ophiopogonin D were separated at baseline with good linearity (r ≥ 0.999 6). The recovery rates were 96%-102% (RSD < 2%). Conclusion: The method is simple, fast, accurate, and could be applied to the quality control of Maiweishen.

Ginsenoside metabolite compound K alleviate collegen-induced arthritis through impairing dendritic cells function / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Ginsenoside metabolite compound K (CK) is a degradation product of ginsenoside in the intestine by bacteria. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of CK have been reported. This study investigated whether CK exerted its immunoregulatory effect through modulation of dendritic cells (DCs) function. METHODS In vivo, severity of collegen-induced arthritis (CIA), T cells and DCs subsets, phenotype of DC were assayed by flow cytometry, CCL19 and CCL21 level in lymph nodes assayed by ELISA. In vitro, bone marrow-derived DCs from normal mice were matured with lipopolysaccharide and treated with CK for 48 h. In vivo, bone marrow-derived DCs were generated from CIA mice before and 2 weeks into CK treatment. DCs were analyzed for migration, phenotype and T- cell stimulatory capacity. RESULTS CK alleviated the severity of CIA, decreased pDCs and mo-DCs, increased na?ve T cells in CIA mice lymph nodes, and suppressed CCL21 expression in lymph nodes. CK suppressed DCs migration induced by CCL21 and T cells-stimulatory capability of DC, down-regulated LPS-induced expression of CD80, CD86, MHCII and CCR7 on DCs. CONCLUSION This study elucidated the novel immunomodulatory property of CK via impairing function of DCs in priming T cells activation. These results provide an interesting novel insight into the potential mechanism by which CK contribute to the restoration of immunoregulation in autoimmune conditions.

Effect of astragaloside IV on tumor cellular uptake and antitumor efficacy by ginsenoside compound K / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the effect of astragaloside IV on tumor cellular uptake and antitumor efficacy by ginsenoside compound K (GCK). Methods: The human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 was prepared as an antitumor model, the cytotoxicity of the mixtures of GCK and astragaloside IV to A549 cells was determined by MTT assay, the cellular uptake of GCK was detected by fluorescence microscopy, and the intracellular GCK was determined by HPLC. The enhancement of astragaloside IV in vivo efficacy by GCK was evaluated by nude mice bearing tumor model. Results: The effect of GCK on the inhibition of A549 cell proliferation was enhanced in the presence of astragaloside IV and astragaloside IV could increase the uptake rate of GCK in A549 cells, with the proportion of astragaloside IV increasing, the cytotoxicity was significantly stronger than GCK and the uptake rate was improved. In vivo antitumor assay of mice bearing tumor indicated that astragaloside IV could enhance the antitumor efficacy of GCK. Conclusion: Preliminary results indicate that the mixture of GCK and astragaloside IV have the effect of enhancing antitumor efficacy.

Compound K attenuates stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1)-induced migration of C6 glioma cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1), also known as chemokine ligand 12, and chemokine receptor type 4 are involved in cancer cell migration. Compound K (CK), a metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside by gut microbiota, is reported to have therapeutic potential in cancer therapy. However, the inhibitory effect of CK on SDF-1 pathway-induced migration of glioma has not yet been established. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity of CK in C6 glioma cells was determined using an EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit. Cell migration was tested using the wound healing and Boyden chamber assay. Phosphorylation levels of protein kinase C (PKC)α and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were measured by western blot assay, and matrix metallopeptidases (MMP) were measured by gelatin-zymography analysis. RESULTS: CK significantly reduced the phosphorylation of PKCα and ERK1/2, expression of MMP9 and MMP2, and inhibited the migration of C6 glioma cells under SDF-1-stimulated conditions. CONCLUSIONS: CK is a cell migration inhibitor that inhibits C6 glioma cell migration by regulating its downstream signaling molecules including PKCα, ERK1/2, and MMPs.

Compound K attenuates stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1)-induced migration of C6 glioma cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1), also known as chemokine ligand 12, and chemokine receptor type 4 are involved in cancer cell migration. Compound K (CK), a metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside by gut microbiota, is reported to have therapeutic potential in cancer therapy. However, the inhibitory effect of CK on SDF-1 pathway-induced migration of glioma has not yet been established. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity of CK in C6 glioma cells was determined using an EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit. Cell migration was tested using the wound healing and Boyden chamber assay. Phosphorylation levels of protein kinase C (PKC)α and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were measured by western blot assay, and matrix metallopeptidases (MMP) were measured by gelatin-zymography analysis. RESULTS: CK significantly reduced the phosphorylation of PKCα and ERK1/2, expression of MMP9 and MMP2, and inhibited the migration of C6 glioma cells under SDF-1-stimulated conditions. CONCLUSIONS: CK is a cell migration inhibitor that inhibits C6 glioma cell migration by regulating its downstream signaling molecules including PKCα, ERK1/2, and MMPs.

Ginsenoside metabolites Compound K suppress TNF-α-induced RANTES secretion in human bronchial epithelial cell line / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the effects of ginsenoside metabolite Compound K (CK) on TNF-α-induced RANTES secretion in human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B and to elucidate its possible mechanism. Methods BEAS-2B cells were cultured and treated with CK in different dosages, and then the secretion of RANTES in BEAS-2B cells exposed to inflammatory stimuli was measured by ELISA kits. Expressions of RANTES mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Reporter gene assay was employed to elucidate the interaction between CK and activator protein 1(AP-1), glucocorticoid receptor (GR). CK antagonist mifepristone was used to observe whether the inhibitory effect of CK against RANTES was mediated by GR. Results TNF-α-induced secretion of RANTES in BEAS-2B was markedly inhibited by CK (3-30 μmol/L). Treatment with CK also reduced RANTES mRNA and protein expression. Reporter gene assays indicated that CK was a GR agonist and could repress TNF-α-induced AP-1 transactivation. The inhibitory effects of CK on RANTES secretion were antagonized by mifepristone, suggesting a pivotal role of GR. Conclusion These results suggest that CK may inhibit TNF-α-induced RANTES secretion in human bronchial epithelial cells, which might be associated with GR pathway activation and AP-1 pathway inhibition.

Determination of ginsenoside compound K in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of lithium adducts

Ginsenoside compound K (GCK), the main metabolite of protopanaxadiol constituents of Panax ginseng, easily produces alkali metal adduct ions during mass spectrometry particularly with lithium. Accordingly, we have developed a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for analysis of GCK in human plasma based on formation of a lithium adduct. The analyte and paclitaxel (internal standard) were extracted from 50 µL human plasma using methyl tert-butyl ether. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column (50 mm×2.0 mm; 5 μm) using stepwise gradient elution with acetonitrile-water and 0.2 mmol/L lithium carbonate at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Detection was performed in the positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring of the transitions at m/z 629→449 for the GCK-lithium adduct and m/z 860→292 for the adduct of paclitaxel. The assay was linear in the concentration range 1.00-1000 ng/mL (r (2)>0.9988) with intra- and inter-day precision of ±8.4% and accuracy in the range of -4.8% to 6.5%. Recovery, stability and matrix effects were all satisfactory. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study involving administration of a single GCK 50 mg tablet to healthy Chinese volunteers.

The Bioconversion of Red Ginseng Ethanol Extract into Compound K by Saccharomyces cerevisiae HJ-014

A beta-glucosidase producing yeast strain was isolated from Korean traditional rice wine. Based on the sequence of the YCL008c gene and analysis of the fatty acid composition, the isolate was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain HJ-014. S. cerevisiae HJ-014 produced ginsenoside Rd, F2, and compound K from the ethanol extract of red ginseng. The production was increased by shaking culture, where the bioconversion efficiency was increased 2-fold compared to standing culture. The production of ginsenoside F2 and compound K was time-dependent and thought to proceed by the transformation pathway of: red ginseng extract-->Rd-->F2-->compound K. The optimum incubation time and concentration of red ginseng extract for the production of compound K was 96 hr and 4.5% (w/v), respectively.

Simultaneous determination of sixteen ginsenosides in Panax ginseng and its preparation by HPLC / 中草药

Objective: In order to evaluate the quality of Panax ginseng and its preparation, a simple and accurate HPLC method for determining the contents of 16 ginsenosides from P. ginseng was established. Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using a mobile phase made up of acetonitrie and water at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength and column temperature were set as 203 nm and 35°C, respectively. Results: Sixteen ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rg2, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, F1, Rd, F2, Rg3, protopanaxatriol, compound K, Rh2, and protopanaxadiol) were separated at baseline with good linearity (r ≥ 0.9990). The recovery rates were 95%-102% (RSD < 2%). Conclusion: The method is simple, fast, accurate, and could be applied to the quality control of P. ginseng and its preparation.

Transformation of rare ginsenoside Compound K from ginsenoside Rb1 catalyzed by snailase immobilization onto microspheres / 中草药

Objective: To prepare snailase immobilization onto microspheres and to optimize the process conditions for the transformation of rare ginsenoside Compound K (CK) from ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) catalyzed by snailase immobilization onto microspheres. Methods: Considering the recovery rate of enzyme activity as the target, crosslink-embedding method was used for preparing the snailase immobilization onto microspheres and optimizing the preparation technology by orthogonal test. Furthermore, the enzyme characterization of temperature, enzymatic properties of pH value, thermal stability, pH stability, and storage stability was studied, and the effectiveness of temperature, concentration reaction time, and transformational times on the bioconversion rate was studied to optimize the preparation conditions. Results: The best process was achieved at 2% sodium alginate, 2% CaCl2, SiO2 and snail enzyme mass ratio of 1:1, with the above conditions, the enzyme activity recovery rate was 81.94%, immobilization snailase and free snailase exhibit different properties about thermal stability and pH stability, the optimum temperature was 60℃, and the optimum pH was 5.0. Under these conditions, the snailase immobilization onto microspheres remained 55.17% enzyme activity when storaged at 15℃ for 30 d. The best process was achieved at 55℃, the substrate concentration was 1.0 mg/mL, the conversion time was 36 h, the effective continuous transformational times were five rounds and the average transformational ratio for rare ginsenoside CK was up to 36.79%. Conclusion: The results concluded from the experiments indicate that the immobilization procedure could promote the resistance of enzyme against temperature, pH shift, and some other tough reaction conditions, meanwhile prolong the enzymatic lifetime for storage. The bioconversion rate is impoved and it is feasible to prepare rare ginsenoside CK by enzymolysis with snailase immobilization onto microspheres. Besides, the condition is moderate and it is suitable for industrialization.

Immunotoxicity study of Ginenoside Compound K Injection / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective Evaluate the immunotoxicity of Ginenoside Compound K Injection.Methods Active Systemic Anaphylaxis (ASA)tests and Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis (PCA)tests were used to evaluate Ginenoside Compound K Injection.Results In the ASA tests,positive control group showed pole-strength anapbylaxis,both the high-dose group and the low-dose group of Ginenoside Compound K Injection didn't produce allergic reaction and the body weights of all groups showed no significant differences.In the PCA tests,all rats of positive control group caused blue spots with their diameters bigger than 5 mm (diameters on the left side of blue spots was (10.1± 3.34) mm and diameters on the right side of blue spots was(7.57± 1.94)mm.Serum IgE was significantly increased.While both high dose and low dose of Ginenoside Compound K Injection group didn't show blue spots with their diameters greater than 5 mm and their IgE levels showed no significant differences compared with negative control group.Conclusion Ginenoside Compound K Injection showed no immunotoxicity under these experimental conditions.

Bioconversion of ginsenoside Rb1 into compound K by Leuconostoc citreum LH1 isolated from kimchi

About 40 different types of ginsenoside (ginseng saponin), a major pharmacological component of ginseng, have been identified along with their physiological activities. Among these, compound K has been reported to prevent the development of and the metastasis of cancer by blocking the formation of tumors and suppressing the invasion of cancerous cells. In this study, ginsenoside Rb1 was converted into compound K via interaction with the enzyme secreted by ¥â-glucosidase active bacteria, Leuconostoc citreum LH1, extracted from kimchi. The optimum time for the conversion of Rb1 to compound K was about 72 hrs at a constant pH of 6.0 and an optimum temperature of about 30¨¬C. Under optimal conditions, ginsenoside Rb1 was decomposed and converted into compound K by 72 hrs post-reaction (99 percent). Both TLC and HPLC were used to analyze the enzymatic reaction. Ginsenoside Rb1 was consecutively converted to ginsenoside Rd, F2, and compound K via the hydrolyses of 20-C ¥â-(1 ¡æ 6)-glucoside, 3-C ¥â-(1 ¡æ 2)glucoside, and 3-C ¥â-glucose of ginsenoside Rb1.

Transformation of Compound K from Saponins in Leaves of Panax notoginseng by Immobilized β-Glucanase / 中草药·英文版

Objective To prepare an active anti-tumor component, compound K (C-K), from saponins in leaves of Panax notoginseng (SLPN) using immobilized β-glucanase. Methods Two entrapments, alginate gel-1 (Alg 1) and alginate gel-2 (Alg 2), were evaluated for their ability to immobilize β-glucanase. The amount and purity of C-K obtained from the transformation process were analyzed by HPLC, and the immobilizing parameters were optimized. Results β-Glucanase can be immobilized and reused with either of the entrapment. However, using AIg 1 resulted in higher enzyme activity than Alg 2. The optimal concentration of the immobilized enzyme was 10%; The optimal crosslinking time was 4-6 h; and the optimal concentration of the crosslinking agent was 6%-7%. Conclusion Immobilized β-glucanase shows sustained enzyme activity, good ethanol tolerance, and was reusable for the preparation of C-K from SLPN.

Microbial transformation on ginsenoside compound K from total saponins in fruit of Panax ginseng / 中草药

Objective To apply the microbial transformation to transforming the total saponins in the fruit of Panax ginseng (SFPG) and preparing ginsenoside compound K (C-K). Methods The four microbial strains m14, m3, m8, and m9 were screened and isolated from the soil in the botanic garden planted for P. ginseng and they were used for the microbial transformation of SFPG to optimize the strains. Taking C-K contents as index the microbial transformation was detected and analyzed by TLC and HPLC. Results The strain m14 was found to transform the SFPG efficiently to C-K at first. The optimal culturing and transformation conditions of m14 were obtained: time, 6 d; temperature, 30 ℃; revolution of cradle, 160 r/min; initial pH value, 5.5; substratum concentration, 120 mg/mL. Under the optimal condition, the content of C-K was 41.65 times as much as before transformation by m14. Conclusion The m14 is the most effective strain among the four fungal strains. It is the new way available for the C-K industrialized production.

Isolation of a new natural compound from berry of Panax ginseng / 中草药

Objective To study the constituents from the berry of Panax ginseng. Methods Compounds were separated and purified by column chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and spectral analyses. Results Twelve compounds were isolated from water extracts of the berry of P. ginseng. They were identified as benzoic acid (Ⅰ), isoginsenoside-Rh3 (Ⅱ), ginsenoside-Rh2 (Ⅲ), ginsenoside-Rh1 (Ⅳ), ginsenoside-Rg1 (Ⅴ), ginsenoside-Re (Ⅵ), ginsenoside-Rd (Ⅶ), ginsenoside-Rc (Ⅷ), ginsenoside-Rb2 (Ⅸ), ginsenoside-Rb1 (Ⅹ), ?-sitosterol (Ⅺ), and 20-O-?-D-glucopyranosyl-20 (S)-protopanaxadiol named as compound K (ⅩⅡ). Conclusion The compound K is a new natural product.