Quantitative Analysis of Dammarane-type Ginsenosides in Different Ginseng Products

Ginseng products available in different forms and preparations are reported to have varied bioactivities and chemical compositions. In our previous study, four new dammarane-type ginsenosides were isolated from Panax ginseng, which are ginsenoside Rg18 (1), 6-acetyl ginsenoside Rg3 (2), ginsenoside Rs11 (3), and ginsenoside Re7 (4). Accordingly, the goal of this study was to determine the distribution and content of these newly characterized ginsenosides in different ginseng products. The content of compounds 1 – 4 in different ginseng products was determined via HPLC-UV. The samples included ginseng roots from different ginseng species, roots harvested from different localities in Korea, and samples harvested at different cultivation ages and processed under different manufacturing methods. The four ginsenosides were present at varying concentrations in the different ginseng samples examined. The variations in their content could be attributed to species variation, and differences in cultivation conditions and manufacturing methods. The total concentration of compounds 1 – 4 were highest in ginseng obtained from Geumsan (185 µg/g), white-6 yr ginseng (150 µg/g), and P. quinquefolius (186 µg/g). The results of this study provide a basis for the optimization of cultivation conditions and manufacturing methods to maximize the yield of the four new ginsenosides in ginseng.

Quantitative Determination of Bakkenolide D in Petasites japonicus and Farfugium japonicum by HPLC/UV

A quantitative analysis of bakkenolide D in the different parts of Petasites japonicus and Farfugium japonicum was performed by HPLC. A gradient HPLC elution system with a mobile phase consisting of water:acetonitrile solution (20:80 to 0:100 for 45 min) was followed and an INNO C₁₈ column was used for the chromatographic separation. The injection volume, flow rate, and UV detection were 10 µL, 1 mL/min, and 290 nm, respectively. Results show that both species showed the highest amount of bakkenolide D in the roots being 107.203 and 166.103 mg/g for P. japonicas and F. japonicum, respectively. Content analysis on the different parts of both plants displayed remarkably lower values which ranged from 0.403 – 4.419 and 7.252 – 32.614 mg/g for P. japonicas and F. japonicum, respectively. The results show that the roots of both plants are rich in bakkenolide D showing a promising use in the development of nutraceuticals and industrial application of the compound.

Phytochemical Identification from Boehmeria nivea Leaves and Analysis of (-)-Loliolide by HPLC

Phytochemicals were isolated from leaves of the fiber crop, ramie (Boehmeria nivea, Bn), using open column chromatography and medium pressure liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified as β-sitosterol, (-)-loliolide, rutin, and pyrimidinedione by MS, ¹H-, and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic analysis. Among them, (-)-loliolide was isolated for the first time from B. nivea. A content analysis of (-)-loliolide in B. nivea collected from different regions and harvest times was conducted by HPLC. The highest content of (-)-loliolide was found in Bn-23 harvested in September. These results will be helpful to use the plant which harvest in September as a high content phytochemical additive in food, health supplements, and medicinal products.

Identification of Dammarane-type Triterpenoid Saponins from the Root of Panax ginseng

The root of Panax ginseng, is a Korea traditional medicine, which is used in both raw and processed forms due to their different pharmacological activities. As part of a continued chemical investigation of ginseng, the focus of this research is on the isolation and identification of compounds from Panax ginseng root by open column chromatography, medium pressure liquid chromatography, semi-preparative-high performance liquid chromatography, Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from Panax ginseng root by open column chromatography, medium pressure liquid chromatography, and semi-preparative-high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified as protopanaxadiol ginsenosides [gypenoside-V (1), ginsenosides-Rb1 (2), -Rb2 (3), -Rb3 (4), -Rc (5), and -Rd (6)], protopanaxatriol ginsenosides [20(S)-notoginsenoside-R2 (7), notoginsenoside-Rt (8), 20(S)-O-glucoginsenoside-Rf (9), 6-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,12beta, 20(S)-dihydroxy-dammar-25-en-24-one (10), majoroside-F6 (11), pseudoginsenoside-Rt3 (12), ginsenosides-Re (13), -Re5 (14), -Rf (15), -Rg1 (16), -Rg2 (17), and -Rh1 (18), and vinaginsenoside-R15 (19)], and oleanene ginsenosides [calenduloside-B (20) and ginsenoside-Ro (21)] through the interpretation of spectroscopic analysis. The configuration of the sugar linkages in each saponin was established on the basic of chemical and spectroscopic data. Among them, compounds 1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 19, and 20 were isolated for the first time from P. ginseng root.

Quantitative Analysis of the Flavonoid Content in the Leaves of Boehmeria nivea and Related Commercial Products

Content analysis of flavonoids (epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, and rutin) present in the leaves of Boehmeria nivea (originating from Geumsan-myeon, Biin-myeon, Hansan-myeon, and Baeksu-eup) and their commercial products (ramie tteok, ramie songpyeon, ramie bory-tteok, and ramie tea) was conducted by HPLC. The content of epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, and rutin was highest in the leaves of B. nivea from Geumsanmyeon (0.138 mg/g), Baeksu-eup (1.654 mg/g) and Geumsan-myeon (12.205 mg/g), respectively. With respect to commercial products, the content of epicatechin and epicatechin gallate was highest in ramie tea, with concentrations of 1.879 and 1.090 mg/g, respectively. Given these flavonoid concentrations, B. nivea leaf extracts have the potential to be used as additives in natural medicinal products, health supplements, and beverages.

Medial Plantar Island or Free Flap for Heel Reconstruction

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the heel, which is weight bearing area, represents a challenge because this area requires similar tissues to the original lost tissue, durable and sensible skin coverage, minimal donor morbidity and simple operative procedure. The instep region of the plantar surface of the foot presents an ideal tissue reserve for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the heel because of a sensate and unique form of skin with thick glabrous plantar skin, shock-absorbing fibrofatty subcutaneous tissue and plantar fascia. A total of 10 patients with soft tissue defects in the heel were operated from April 1995 to October 2001. The medial plantar fasciocutaneous island flap was used in 8 cases and the free flap in 2 cases. The size of flap varied from 3x3 cm to 10x10 cm. Follow-up period ranged from 2.3 years to 8.5 years. All flaps were viable and durable to chronic weight bearing and shearing force. Also, all flaps had enough sensation in normal activities. In conclusion, the medial plantar fasciocutaneous island or free flap can be used satisfactorily for soft tissue coverage in the heel which is weight bearing area.