Research update of Siberian Ginseng Extract.Eleutherosides related.

  seminal trace...Siberian Ginseng Extract.Eleutherosides 0.8%1.0%HPLC.CAS RN:39432-56-9.Eleutheroside E:CAS RN:39432-56-9.Eleutheroside B:Syringin:.CAS.RN.NO:118-34-3;M.F.:C17H24O9...

   Phytochemical info of Siberian Ginseng Extract.Eleutherosides:

 Product Name:
 Synonym:
 Definition:Eleutherosides from Siberian Ginseng Extract. are majorly composed of .
 Chemical information disclosed as following table:


   Research update of Siberian Ginseng Extract.Eleutherosides:


  Cellular change and callose accumulation in zygotic embryos of Eleutherococcus senticosus caused by plasmolyzing pretreatment result in high frequency of single-cell-derived somatic embryogenesis.:

 Eleutherococcus senticosus zygotic embryos were pretreated with 1.0 M mannitol or sucrose for 3-24 h. This pretreatment resulted in a high frequency of somatic-embryo formation on hormone-free medium. All the somatic embryos developed directly and independently from single epidermal cells on the surface of zygotic embryos after plasmolyzing pretreatment. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the epidermal cells of hypocotyls rapidly became irregular and showed a random orientation before somatic-embryo development commenced. At the same time, the epidermal cells in the untreated control remained regular. Callose concentration determined by fluorometric analysis increased sharply in E. senticosus zygotic embryos after plasmolyzing pretreatment but remained low in the untreated control. Aniline blue fluorescent staining of callose showed that the plasmolyzing pretreatment of zygotic embryos resulted in heavy accumulation of callose between the plasma membrane and cell walls. On the basis of these results, we suggest that plasmolyzing pretreatment of zygotic embryos induces the accumulation of callose, and the interruption of cell-to-cell communication imposed by this might stimulate the reprogramming of epidermal cells into embryogenically competent cells and finally induce somatic-embryo development from single cells.
 PMID: 16736252

  Stimulating effect of adaptogens: an overview with particular reference to their efficacy following single dose administration.Panossian A, Wagner H.:Swedish Herbal Institute, Viktor Rydbergsgatan 10, SE-411 32 Gothenburg, Sweden. ap@shi.se

 Plant adaptogens are compounds that increase the ability of an organism to adapt to environmental factors and to avoid damage from such factors. The beneficial effects of multi-dose administration of adaptogens are mainly associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a part of the stress-system that is believed to play a primary role in the reactions of the body to repeated stress and adaptation. In contrast, the single dose application of adaptogens is important in situations that require a rapid response to tension or to a stressful situation. In this case, the effects of the adaptogens are associated with another part of the stress-system, namely, the sympatho-adrenal-system (SAS), that provides a rapid response mechanism mainly to control the acute reaction of the organism to a stressor. This review focuses primarily on the SAS-mediated stimulating effects of single doses of adaptogens derived from Rhodiola rosea, Schizandra chinensis and Eleutherococcus senticosus. The use of these drugs typically generates no side effects, unlike traditional stimulants that possess addiction, tolerance and abuse potential, produce a negative effect on sleep structure, and cause rebound hypersomnolence or 'come down' effects. Furthermore, single administration of these adaptogens effectively increases mental performance and physical working capacity in humans. R. rosea is the most active of the three plant adaptogens producing, within 30 min of administration, a stimulating effect that continues for at least 4-6 h. The active principles of the three plants that exhibit single dose stimulating effects are glycosides of phenylpropane- and phenylethane-based phenolic compounds such as salidroside, rosavin, syringin and triandrin, the latter being the most active.
 PMID: 16261511

  Effect on prolactin secretion of Echinacea purpurea, hypericum perforatum and Eleutherococcus senticosus.:Di Carlo G, Pacilio M, Capasso R, Di Carlo R. Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. dicarlo@unina.it

 It has been recently reported that prolactin (PRL) plays an important role in immune system regulation. In this study we investigated the activity of three natural drugs with immunomodulatory activity: Echinacea purpurea (EP), Hypericum perforatum (HP) and Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES) on PRL production. Male rats were orally treated with two different doses (30 and 100 mg/kg) of extract of these drugs for 3 or 15 days. A 3-day treatment was not able to modify PRL serum levels, whereas a 15-day treatment with EP and HP at the higher dose significantly inhibits PRL production. A treatment with ES was always ineffective. A possible mechanism for this effect could be that both HP and EP extracts display a direct dopaminergic activity, although an involvement of the GABA-ergic system cannot be excluded.
 PMID: 16194051

  Randomized trial of a fixed combination (KanJang) of herbal extracts containing Adhatoda vasica, Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus in patients with upper respiratory tract infections.:Narimanian M, Badalyan M, Panosyan V, Gabrielyan E, Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H. Department of Family Medicine, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia.

 The clinical efficacy of KanJang oral solution, a fixed combination of standardised extracts of Echinacea purpurea, Adhatoda vasica and Eleutherococcus senticosus, was compared with the combined extracts of Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus alone (Echinacea mixture) in a controlled, double blind, randomized trial, and with Bromhexine (a standard treatment) in a controlled, open, randomized clinical trial on patients with non-complicated acute respiratory tract infections. Many of the parameters evaluated, such as severity of coughing, frequency of coughing, efficacy of mucus discharge in the respiratory tract, nasal congestion and a general feeling of sickness, showed significantly greater improvement in patients treated with KanJang compared with those receiving the standard treatment. However, no significant differences in the improvement of these symptoms (except in a reduced frequency of coughing) were observed between patients treated with the Echinacea mixture and those receiving the standard treatment. The only explanation is that the lack of extract of A. vasica in the Echinacea mixture reduces its efficacy compared with the complete KanJang oral solution even though direct double-blind comparison yielded no significant differences between these two groups of patients. The recovery time of patients being treated with KanJang or Echinacea mixture was 2 days shorter than that of patients receiving the standard treatment. None of the patients completing the study reported adverse reactions to the medication taken. The significance of the results obtained in this study is discussed with respect to the efficacy of KanJang in the treatment of acute respiratory infection and to the concept that multi-drug therapy offers higher efficacy compared with mono-drug treatment of such infections.
 PMID: 16121513

  Assessment of the effects of eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance performance.Goulet ED, Dionne IJ.:

 The use of nutritional ergogenic aids containing Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES), a plant which is also known as ciwujia or Siberian ginseng, is relatively common among endurance athletes. Eleutherococcus senticosus has been suggested to improve cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) and fat metabolism (FAM) and, therefore, endurance performance (EP). This article reviews the studies that evaluated the effects of ES during endurance exercise, three of which suggest that ES substantially improves CF, FAM, and EP. However, each of these reports contains severe methodological flaws, which seriously threaten their internal validity, thereby rendering hazardous the generalization of the results. On the other hand, 5 studies that used rigorous research protocols show no benefit of ES on CF, FAM, and EP. It is therefore concluded that ES supplementation (up to 1000 to 1200 mg/d for 1 to 6 wk) offers no advantage during exercise ranging in duration from 6 to 120 min.
 PMID: 15902991

  Siberian ginseng reduces infarct volume in transient focal cerebral ischaemia in Sprague-Dawley rats.:

 Siberian ginseng, the root and stem bark of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms, has been used as a tonic and adaptogen to strengthen qi in traditional Korean medicine. The neuroprotective effects of water extracts of A. senticosus (ASW) were investigated in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo, 90 min occlusion, 24 h reperfusion) of Sprague-Dawley rats. The infarct volume was significantly reduced by 36.6% after the peritoneal injection of ASW (100 mg[sol ]kg) compared with the control. In the immunohistochemical study, ASW markedly inhibited both cyclooxygenase-2 and OX-42 expressions in the penumbral region at 24 h after MCAo. These results suggest that A. senticosus has a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting inflammation and microglial activation in brain ischaemia.
 PMID: 15852490

  Overexpression of squalene synthase in Eleutherococcus senticosus increases phytosterol and triterpene accumulation.:

 Squalene synthase (SS) catalyzes the first committed step in sterol and triterpenoid biosynthesis. Transgenic Eleutherococcus senticosus Rupr. and Maxim. plants were generated by introducing an SS-encoding gene derived from Panax ginseng (PgSS1) together with genes expressing hygromycin phosphotransferase and green fluorescent protein (GFP) through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Early globular embryo clusters developing from the embryogenic callus were used for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transformants were selected on Murashige Skoog medium containing 25 mg/L hygromycin. Hygromycin-resistant somatic embryos developed into plants after the cotyledonary embryos were treated with 14.4 microM gibberellic acid. Transformation was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, Southern, and GFP analyses. The SS enzyme activity of the transgenic plants was up to 3-fold higher than that of wild-type plants. In addition, GC-MS and HPLC analysis revealed that phytosterols (beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol) as well as triterpene saponins (ciwujianosides B (1), C(1) (2), C(2) (3), C(3) (4), C(4) (5), D(1) (6) and D(2) (7)) levels in transgenic E. senticosus were increased by 2- to 2.5-fold. These results suggest that the metabolic engineering of E. senticosus to enhance production of phytosterols and triterpenoids by introducing the PgSS1 gene was successfully achieved by Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation.
 PMID: 15845405

  Quality control of roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus by HPLC.:Apers S, Naessens T, Van Miert S, Pieters L, Vlietinck A.Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. Sandra.Apers@ua.ac.be

 An HPLC method based on several known methods for the determination of eleutherosides B and E was developed, optimised and validated in terms of linearity, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision on different days and at different concentration levels) and accuracy (recovery). The extraction procedure, the extraction solvent and the extraction yield were evaluated and optimised. A reversed-phase RP-18 column gradient eluted with a two-phase system consisting of phosphoric acid:water (0.5:99.5) and acetonitrile was used to evaluate the samples; detection was at 220 nm. Although eleutherosides B and E are commercially available, they are very costly, and therefore ferulic acid was chosen as external standard. The correction factors for the response of ferulic acid against both eleutherosides were determined and validated. This method, accepted by the European Pharmacopoeia Commission, will be included in the monograph on Eleutherococcus senticosus roots to assay the content of eleutherosides B and E.
 PMID: 15688958

  Effects of various Eleutherococcus senticosus cortex on swimming time, natural killer activity and corticosterone level in forced swimming stressed mice.:

 The cortex of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. has been used extensively in Russia, China as an adaptogen whose properties are the ability to increase as non-specific body resistance to stress and fatigue. Although it has been reported that Eleutherococcus senticosus has anti-fatigue and anti-stress actions, their actions are still unclear on the relationship between immune system, especially natural killer (NK) activity and endocrine system (corticosterone level). We compared the effects of the water extracts (A, B, C, D and E) of five Eleutherococcus senticosus cortex on the swimming time, NK activity and blood corticosterone level using forced swimming stressed mice. Among five kinds, C, D and E extracts significantly prolonged the swimming time. C and D extracts inhibited the reduction of NK activity and the corticosterone elevation induced by forced swimming. The contents of eleutheroside E, isoflaxidin and eleutherosides B plus E were in the order C > D > E > B > A and C > E > D > A > B extracts, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that eleutheroside E may be contributed to the anti-fatigue action, the recovery of the reduction of NK activity and the inhibition of corticosterone elevation induced by swimming stress.
 PMID: 15507373


  Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial.:

 Arch Gerontol Geriatr Suppl. 2004; (9):69-73 (ISSN: 0924-7947).Cicero AF; Derosa G; Brillante R; Bernardi R; Nascetti S; Gaddi A.Atherosclerosis and Dysmetabolic Diseases Study Center G. Descovich, Clinical Medicine and Applied Biotechnology Department D. Campanacci, University of Bologna, I-40138 Bologna, Italy. afgcicero@tiscali.it
 An unspecific feeling of fatigue and asthenia often pushes elderly patients to require any form of help even from non medically trained people. Traditional Chinese medicine suggest that Siberian ginseng could act as safe "adaptogenic" substance. Our aim was thus to test the effect of a middle term Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim. (Araliaceae) administration on elderly, health related quality of life (HRQOL). 20 elderly hypertensive and digitalized volunteers (age >/= 65 years) were randomized in a double -blind manner to E. senticosus dry extract 300 mg/day (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) for 8 weeks. The short form-36 health survey version 2 (SF-36v2), a validated general health status questionnaire, was used to access HRQOL at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics and SF-36v2 scores between the groups. At each visit, controls of digitalemia and blood pressure level were carried out. After 4 weeks of therapy, higher scores in social functioning (p = 0.02) scales were observed in patients randomized to E. senticosus; these differences did not persist to the 8-week time point. No adverse event has been observed in both groups of patients. No significant difference in both blood pressure control and digitalemia was observed in both treatment groups. Subjects give E. senticosus (70%) were more likely to state that they received active therapy than subjects given placebo (20%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, E. senticosus safely improves some aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy, although these differences attenuate with continued use.

  Asian and Siberian ginseng as a potential modulator of immune function: an in vitro cytokine study using mouse macrophages.:

 Clin Chim Acta. 2003; 327(1-2):123-8 (ISSN: 0009-8981).Wang H; Actor JK; Indrigo J; Olsen M; Dasgupta A.Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Health Science Center, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
 BACKGROUND: Ginseng is a widely used herbal product in China, other Asian countries, and in the Unites States. There is a traditional belief that ginseng stimulates immune functions. In this study, the innate effects of Asian and Siberian ginsengs on cytokines and chemokines produced by cultured macrophages were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of Asian and Siberian ginseng on cytokines and chemokines produced by cultured macrophages were examined. Mouse macrophages (J774A.1) were incubated with Asian or Siberian ginseng at varying concentrations (1, 10, 100, and 1000 microg/ml) for 24 h and then harvested for RNA isolation. The expression levels of IL-1beta, IL-12, TNF-alpha, MIP-1 alpha, and MIP-2 mRNA were measured by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Our data showed that Asian ginseng induced a statistically significant increase in IL-12 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. However, the minor twofold increase is probably biologically insignificant. No significant increase of IL-12 by Siberian ginseng was observed at any dose level studied. No significant change in IL-1beta, IL-15, TNF-alpha, or MIP-1alpha mRNA was observed by either Asian or Siberian ginseng treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed statistically significant differential regulation of IL-12 by Asian ginseng. Siberian ginseng did not show a statistically significant increase. We conclude that both Asian ginseng and Siberian ginseng cannot significantly stimulate innate macrophage immune functions that influence cellular immune responses. Therefore, contrary to the popular belief, Asian and Siberian ginseng may not stimulate immune function.

  Effect of Asian and Siberian ginseng on serum digoxin measurement by five digoxin immunoassays. Significant variation in digoxin-like immunoreactivity among commercial ginsengs.:

 Am J Clin Pathol. 2003; 119(2):298-303 (ISSN: 0002-9173).Dasgupta A; Wu S; Actor J; Olsen M; Wells A; Datta P.Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin, MSB 2.292, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
 Asian and Siberian ginsengs contain glycosides with structural similarities to digoxin. We studied potential interference of ginseng in 5 digoxin immunoassays in 3 Asian (2 liquid extracts, 1 capsule) and 3 Siberian ginseng preparations (1 liquid extract, 2 capsules). With the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), we observed apparent digoxin activity in 1 Asian liquid preparation and in the liquid extract and 1 capsule form of Siberian ginseng. In mice fed ginseng, we observed digoxin activities in the serum (Asian, 0.48-0.68 ng/mL [0.6-0.9 nmol/L]; Siberian, 0.20-0.47 ng/mL [0.3-0.6 nmol/L]), indicating that such interferences also occur in vivo. Serum pools prepared from samples from patients receiving digoxin and then supplemented with Asian or Siberian ginseng showed falsely increased digoxin values using the FPIA (e.g., for Asian ginseng, 1.54 ng/mL [2.0 nmol/L] vs control value, 1.10 ng/mL [1.4 nmol/L]) and falsely decreased values using the microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA; 0.73 ng/mL [0.9 nmol/L] vs control value, 1.04 ng/mL [1.3 nmol/L]). Digoxin-like immunoreactive substances (DLISs) showed synergistic effects with ginsengs in interfering with the FPIA and MEIA for digoxin. No interference was observed with 3 other digoxin assays, even in the presence of elevated DLISs.

  Randomized controlled trial of Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue.:

 Psychol Med. 2004; 34(1):51-61 (ISSN: 0033-2917)Hartz AJ; Bentler S; Noyes R; Hoehns J; Logemann C; Sinift S; Butani Y; Wang W; Brake K; Ernst M; Kautzman H.University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Iowa City 52242-1097, USA.
 BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue greatly affects quality of life and is a common reason for consulting a physician. Since conventional therapy is often of limited help, fatigued patients may use herbal treatments. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of Siberian ginseng. METHOD: Subjects were recruited from advertisements in Iowa (82%) and members of chronic fatigue syndrome support groups (18%). Potential subjects were required to have substantial fatigue > or = 6 months with no identifiable cause. The mean change in a fatigue measure was compared for placebo and Siberian ginseng at 1 and 2 months. Comparisons were for all subjects and for subjects with characteristics previously identified in the literature as important for categorizing chronic fatigue. RESULTS: Ninety-six subjects were randomized to treatment groups, and 76 provided information at 2 months of follow-up. Fatigue among subjects assigned to either placebo or Siberian ginseng was substantially reduced during the study, but differences between treatment groups were not statistically significant in the full sample. Fatigue severity and duration had a statistically significant interaction with response to Siberian ginseng at the P < 0.05 level. Treatment was effective at 2 months for 45 subjects with less severe fatigue (P = 0.04 unadjusted for multiple comparisons) and for 41 subjects with fatigue for > or = 5 years (P = 0.09 unadjusted for multiple comparisons). CONCLUSION: Overall efficacy was not demonstrated. However, the findings of possible efficacy for patients with moderate fatigue suggests that further research may be of value.

  Enhanced post-germinative growth of encapsulated somatic embryos of Siberian ginseng by carbohydrate addition to the encapsulation matrix.:

 Plant Cell Rep. 2004; 23(6):365-70 (ISSN: 0721-7714).Jung SJ; Yoon ES; Jeong JH; Choi YE.Department of Biology, Kongju National University, Kongju, 314-701, South Korea.
 This experiment was carried out to enhance conversion and ex vitro survival of encapsulated somatic embryos of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). Cotyledonary somatic embryos were encapsulated with 3.0% sodium alginate; 96% of the encapsulated embryos converted to plantlets with well-elongated epicotyls in Perlite containing sucrose as a carbon source. However, although they germinated, post-germinative growth of encapsulated embryos was suppressed on Perlite that did not contain sucrose. Instead of sucrose addition to Perlite, addition of carbon sources to the encapsulation matrix enhanced post-germinative growth of encapsulated embryos. In the encapsulation matrix with 2% sucrose, post-germinative growth of encapsulated embryos was more than twice (23.5%) that of the control capsules without sucrose (10.0%). Embryos encapsulated with both 2% sucrose and 1% starch powder showed the highest post-germinative growth percentage (42.1%). Iodine staining and analysis of starch content in the encapsulation matrix revealed that starch in the encapsulation matrix decomposed during embryo germination. This result indicates that carbohydrate treatment in the encapsulation matrix enhanced post-germinative growth of encapsulated embryos of Siberian ginseng.


  Siberian ginseng (Eleutheroccus senticosus) effects on CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 activity in normal volunteers.:

 Drug Metab Dispos. 2003; 31(5):519-22 (ISSN: 0090-9556).Donovan JL; DeVane CL; Chavin KD; Taylor RM; Markowitz JS.Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA.
 Siberian ginseng ([SG]; Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a commonly used herbal preparation. The objective of this study was to assess in normal volunteers (n = 12) the influence of a standardized SG extract on the activity of cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 and 3A4. Probe substrates dextromethorphan (CYP2D6 activity) and alprazolam (CYP3A4 activity) were administered orally at baseline and again following treatment with SG (1 x 485 mg twice daily) for 14 days. Urinary concentrations of dextromethorphan and dextorphan were quantified, and dextromethorphan metabolic ratios (DMRs) were determined at baseline and after SG treatment. Likewise, plasma samples were collected (0-60 h) for alprazolam pharmacokinetics at baseline and after SG treatment to assess effects on CYP3A4 activity. Validated high performance liquid chromatography methods were used to quantify all compounds and relevant metabolites. There were no statistically significant differences between pre- and post-SG treatment DMRs indicating a lack of effect on CYP2D6 (P > 0.05). For alprazolam there also were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters determined by noncompartmental modeling (C(max), T(max), area under the curve, half-life of elimination) indicating that SG does not significantly induce or inhibit CYP3A4 (P > 0.05). Our results indicate that standardized extracts of SG at generally recommended doses for over-the-counter use are unlikely to alter the disposition of coadministered medications primarily dependent on the CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 pathways for elimination.

  Siberian ginseng reduces infarct volume in transient focal cerebral ischaemia in Sprague-Dawley rats.:

 Phytother Res. 2005; 19(2):167-9 (ISSN: 0951-418X).Bu Y; Jin ZH; Park SY; Baek S; Rho S; Ha N; Park SK; Kim H;Department of Herbal Pharmacology, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science KyungHee University, Seoul, South Korea.
 Siberian ginseng, the root and stem bark of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms, has been used as a tonic and adaptogen to strengthen qi in traditional Korean medicine. The neuroprotective effects of water extracts of A. senticosus (ASW) were investigated in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo, 90 min occlusion, 24 h reperfusion) of Sprague-Dawley rats. The infarct volume was significantly reduced by 36.6% after the peritoneal injection of ASW (100 mg[sol ]kg) compared with the control. In the immunohistochemical study, ASW markedly inhibited both cyclooxygenase-2 and OX-42 expressions in the penumbral region at 24 h after MCAo. These results suggest that A. senticosus has a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting inflammation and microglial activation in brain ischaemia.

  Vascular effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus): endothelium-dependent NO- and EDHF-mediated relaxation depending on vessel size.:

 Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2004; 369(5):473-80 (ISSN: 0028-1298).Kwan CY; Zhang WB; Sim SM; Deyama T; Nishibe S.HSC-4N40, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8 N 3Z5, Canada. kwancy@univmail.mcmaster.ca
 Siberian ginseng (SG) has been widely and historically consumed as a health food product for the improvement of self well-being, but whether vascular relaxation may contribute to such a therapeutic health effect has not been studied. We therefore investigated the vasorelaxant effect of the aqueous extract of the roots of SG (Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim) using several in vitro vascular rings prepared from dog carotid artery, rat aorta and rat mesenteric artery. SG extract (0.04-0.8 mg/ml) caused concentration-dependent relaxation in dog carotid arterial rings pre-contracted with 100 microM phenylephrine (PE), and the relaxation was primarily endothelium-dependent. Treatment with 100 microM L-NOARG (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) either prevented or totally reverted SG-induced relaxation, suggesting that the endothelium-dependent relaxation was mediated by NO. Similar endothelium-dependent vascular relaxant responses were also obtained with rat aortic and mesenteric arterial rings, except that it occurred over a relatively higher concentration range of SG (0.5-2.0 mg/ml). When tested in the presence of 300 microM L-NAME, the vasorelaxant effect of SG was inhibited totally in rat aorta but only partially in rat mesenteric artery. The relaxation to SG that was insensitive to L-NAME in rat mesenteric arterial rings was eliminated when the rings (both proximal and distal ends) were pre-treated with a combination of 300 microM L-NAME and 15 mM KCl indicating the involvement of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). This vasorelaxant response of the SG extract was inhibited partially by atropine (1 microM), completely by TEA (5 mM), but not by indomethacin (1 microM) or propranolol (10 microM). SG up to 2 mg/ml had no effect on KCl-induced contraction in any of the vascular rings studied. When compared with carbachol-induced (CCh) relaxation, SG resembles CCh in that the sensitivity to L-NAME inhibition is dependent on vascular size, i.e. aorta >proximal end of mesenteric artery >distal end of mesenteric artery. However, SG exhibited different potencies to relaxation while CCh showed similar potency (EC(50) of about 0.2 microM) in all three vascular segments. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the vascular effect of SG is endothelium-dependent and mediated by NO and/or EDHF depending on the vessel size. Other vasorelaxation pathways, such as inhibition of K(+)-channels and activation of muscarinic receptors, may also be involved.

  Constituents and pharmacological effects of Eucommia and Siberian ginseng.:

 Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2001; 22(12):1057-70 (ISSN: 1671-4083).
 The bark and leaves of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv (Eucommiaceae) and "Siberian ginseng" (Ezoukogi in Japanese) prepared from the root bark or stem bark of Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim (Acanthopanax senticosus Harms) have been used as tonic and anti-stress drug. The extracts of Eucommia showed anti-hypertensive, anti-complementary, anti-oxidative, and anti-gastric ulcer effects, and promoting collagen synthesis, accelating granuloma formation, and other pharmacological effects. The Siberian ginseng exhibited anti-fatigue, anti-stress, immuno-enhancing effect, CNS activity, and anti-depressive effect. By now, 40, 28, and 10 compounds have been isolated from Eucommia ulmoides bark, Eucommia ulmoides leaves, and Siberian ginseng, respectively, and their structures were elucidated. Their pharmacological activities were mainly due to lignans and iridoid glycosides.

  Effect of Brazilian, Indian, Siberian, Asian, and North American ginseng on serum digoxin measurement by immunoassays and binding of digoxin-like immunoreactive components of ginseng with Fab fragment of antidigoxin antibody (Digibind).:

 Am J Clin Pathol. 2005; 124(2):229-36 (ISSN: 0002-9173).Dasgupta A; Reyes MA.Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 77030, USA.
 We compared Brazilian, Indian, Siberian, Asian, and North American ginseng for potential interference with 3 digoxin immunoassays: fluorescence polarization (FPIA), microparticle enzyme (MEIA), and Tina-quant (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN). We supplemented aliquots of a drug-free serum pool with ginseng extracts representing expected in vivo concentrations and overdose. We observed apparent digoxin-like immunoreactivity with FPIA, modest immunoreactivity with MEIA, and no apparent digoxin immunoreactivity with the Tina-quant with all ginsengs except Brazilian, which showed no immunoreactivity with any assay. When aliquots of serum pools prepared from patients receiving digoxin were supplemented with ginsengs, we observed falsely elevated digoxin values with FPIA, falsely lower digoxin values (negative interference) with MEIA, and no interference with the Tina-quant. Digoxin-like immunoreactive components of various ginsengs have moderate protein binding; monitoring free digoxin concentrations does not eliminate such interference. We also observed that Digibind (Burroughs Wellcome, Research Triangle Park, NC) can bind free digoxin-like immunoreactive components of ginsengs; such effects can be monitored by measuring apparent free digoxin concentrations. Indian, Asian, and North American ginsengs interfere with serum digoxin measurement by FPIA and MEIA; the Tina-quant is free of such interference. Digibind can bind free digoxin-like immunoreactive components of ginseng.


  The effect of siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) on substrate utilization and performance.:

 Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000; 10(4):444-51 (ISSN: 1526-484X).Eschbach LF; Webster MJ; Boyd JC; McArthur PD; Evetovich TK. It has been suggested that Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES), also known as Siberian ginseng or ciwuija, increases fat utilization in humans. The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological responses to supplementation with ES in endurance cyclists. Using a randomized, double-blind crossover design, 9 highly-trained men (28 +/- 2 years, V??O2max 57.3 +/- 2.0 ml ?? kg-1 ?? min-1) cycled for 120 min at '60% V??O2max followed by a simulated 10-km time trial. Diet was controlled, and ES (1,200 mg ?? day-1) or a placebo (P) were administered for 7 days prior to each of the two trials. Oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, and heart rate were recorded every 30 min, and rating of perceived exertion, plasma [lactate], and plasma [glucose] were recorded every 20 min during the 120 min of steady state cycling. There were no significant differences (p >.05) between the ES and P groups at any steady-state time interval or during the cycling time trial (ES = 18.10 +/- 0.42, P = 17.83 +/- 0.47 min). In contrast with previous reports, the results of this study suggest that ES supplementation does not alter steady-state substrate utilization or 10-km cycling performance time.

  Effects of Siberian ginseng extract and ipriflavone on the development of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.:

 Bull Exp Biol Med. 2002; 133(3):252-4 (ISSN: 0007-4888).Kropotov AV; Kolodnyak OL; Koldaev VM.Department of Pharmacology, Vladivostok State Medical University.
 Siberian ginseng extract produced a protective effect during experimental steroid-induced osteoporosis, which was comparable with the influence of ipriflavone.

  Effectiveness of activated charcoal and equilibrium dialysis in removing Asian, American, Siberian and Indian ginseng from human serum.:

 Clin Chim Acta. 2006; 367(1-2):144-9 (ISSN: 0009-8981).Dasgupta A; Veras E.Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin, MSB 2.292, Houston, TX 77030, United States. Amitava.Dasgupta@uth.tmc.edu
 BACKGROUND: Ginsengs are used by the general population worldwide and toxicity of various ginsengs has been reported. We studied the effectiveness of activated charcoal and in vitro equilibrium dialysis for removal of Asian, American, Siberian and Indian ginseng from human serum by measuring digoxin-like immunoreactivity using the fluorescence polarization immunoassay.
 METHODS: 1xPBS (phosphate buffered saline) or drug free serum pool was supplemented with Asian, American, Siberian or Indian ginseng extract in amount expected in overdose. The aliquots of supplemented buffer or serum pool were treated with activated charcoal (15 or 50 mg of activated charcoal/ml of buffer/serum) for 5, 10, 20 and 30 min and digoxin-like immunoreactivities were compared with the original specimens. Other drug free serum pools were also supplemented with various ginsengs and then passed through a small column packed with activated charcoal or subjected to in vitro equilibrium dialysis against phosphate buffer at pH 7.4.
 RESULTS: Complete removal of digoxin-like immunoreactivity from buffer solution or serum pool supplemented with various ginsengs can be achieved by treatment with activated charcoal. Moreover, when serum pools supplemented with various ginsengs were passed through columns packed with activated charcoal, we observed complete removal of digoxin-like immunoreactivity. In addition, significant removal of digoxin-like immunoreactivity was observed when serum pools supplemented with ginsengs were subjected to equilibrium dialysis for 24 h.
 CONCLUSIONS: Removal of digoxin-like immunoreactivity from buffer solution or serum due to the presence of ginsengs can be achieved by treatment with activated charcoal in vitro but complete removal of digoxin-like activity from serum is not possible even after 24 h of equilibrium dialysis.

  Inhibitory effects of mast cell-mediated allergic reactions by cell cultured Siberian Ginseng.:

 Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2001; 23(1):107-17 (ISSN: 0892-3973).Jeong HJ; Koo HN; Myung NI; Shin MK; Kim JW; Kim DK; Kim KS; Kim HM; Lee YM.Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, and Center of Oriental Medicinal Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Chonbuk, Republic of Korea.
 The crude drug "Siberian Ginseng (SG)" has long been used in empirical Oriental medicine for the nonspecific enhancement of resistance in humans and animals. In this study, we investigated the effect of cell cultured SG by oral administration in mast cell-mediated allergic reactions. SG dose-dependently inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic allergy with doses of 10(-2) to 1 g/kg 1 h before oral administration. Of special note, SG inhibited systemic allergy with the dose of 1 g/kg by 25%. SG (1 g/kg) also inhibited passive cutaneous allergic reaction by 51%. SG dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. When SG (0.01 mg/ml) was added, the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 in antidinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE antibody-stimulated mast cells was inhibited 39.5% and 23.3%, respectively. In addition, SG inhibited anti-DNP IgE antibody-stimulated TNF-alpha protein expression in mast cells. Our studies provide evidence that SG may be beneficial in the treatment of various types of allergic diseases.

  Decreasing, null and increasing effects of eight popular types of ginseng on acute postprandial glycemic indices in healthy humans: the role of ginsenosides.:

 J Am Coll Nutr. 2004; 23(3):248-58 (ISSN: 0731-5724).Sievenpiper JL; Arnason JT; Leiter LA; Vuksan V.Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, ON, Canada.
 BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether other ginseng sources can replicate the glycemic-lowering efficacy observed previously with American ginseng and whether ginsenosides are mediators. We assessed the effect of eight popular ginseng types on postprandial plasma glucose (PG) and insulin (PI) indices, linking effects to ginsenoside profiles. METHODS: Using a double-blind, randomized, multiple-crossover design, 12 healthy participants (gender: 6M:6F, age: 34 +/- 3 y, BMI: 25.8 +/- 1.2 kg/m(2)) received 10 3g treatments: American, American-wild, Asian, Asian-red, Vietnamese-wild, Siberian, Japanese-rhizome, and Sanchi ginsengs and two placebos. Each treatment was given 40-minutes before a 75g-oral-glucose-tolerance-test (75g-OGTT) with blood drawn at -40, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120-minutes. HPLC-UV analysis quantified seven principal ginsenosides.
 RESULTS: Two-factor analysis showed the main effects of ginseng-type and time were significant for PG and PI, with an interaction for PG (p < 0.05). Subsequent one-factor analysis showed an effect of ginseng-type on 90-min-PG and 90-min-PI (p < 0.05). This was reflected in effects on peak-PG, area under the curve (AUC)-PG and AUC-PI (p < 0.05). But the effect on 90-min-PI and AUC-PI were significant (p < 0.05) only in overweight participants (BMI > 25 kg/m(2), n = 6). Planned comparisons with placebo showed a tendency for American ginseng and Vietnamese ginseng to lower 90-min-PG (p < 0.06), while Asian ginseng raised peak-PG and AUC-PG, American-wild ginseng raised 120-min-PG, and Siberian ginseng raised 90-min-PG, 120-min-PG, and AUC-PG (p < 0.05). Stepwise-multiple-regression assessed the protopanaxadiol:protopanaxatriol (PPD:PPT)-ginsenoside ratio as the sole predictor (p < 0.05) for 90-min-PG (beta = -0.43, r(2) = 0.072), AUC-PG (beta = -0.25, r(2) = 0.06), 90-min-PI (beta = -0.26, r(2) = 0.065), AUC-PI (beta = -0.20, r(2) = 0.04).
 CONCLUSIONS: Ginseng has variable glycemic effects, in which the PPD:PPT-ginsenoside ratio might be involved. But the low variance explained suggests the involvement of other unmeasured ginsenoside or non-ginsenoside components.


  Possible mechanisms underlying the effect of natural preparations on erythropoiesis under conditions of conflict situation.:

 Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003; 136(2):165-9 (ISSN: 0007-4888).Provalova NV; Skurikhin EG; Pershina OV; Minakova MY; Suslov NI; Dygai AM.Institute of Pharmacology, Tomsk Research Center, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
 We studied the effects of various natural preparations, including extracts of Siberian ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, bergenia, and ginseng and pantohematogen on erythropoiesis under conditions of conflict situation. The test preparations were divided into 2 groups depending on their modulatory effect on intensified erythropoiesis under conditions of conflict situation. Some of them reduced (extracts of ginseng, bergenia, and Rhodiola rosea), while others increased the degree of hyperplasia in the erythropoietic stem (extract of Siberian ginseng and pantohematogen). The regulatory effect of preparations depended on activity of the corresponding neurotransmitter systems in the brain and local regulatory mechanisms of hemopoiesis.

  Herb-drug interactions: a literature review.:

 Drugs. 2005; 65(9):1239-82 (ISSN: 0012-6667).Hu Z; Yang X; Ho PC; Chan SY; Heng PW; Chan E; Duan W; Koh HL; Zhou S.Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
 Herbs are often administered in combination with therapeutic drugs, raising the potential of herb-drug interactions. An extensive review of the literature identified reported herb-drug interactions with clinical significance, many of which are from case reports and limited clinical observations.Cases have been published reporting enhanced anticoagulation and bleeding when patients on long-term warfarin therapy also took Salvia miltiorrhiza (danshen). Allium sativum (garlic) decreased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration of saquinavir, but not ritonavir and paracetamol (acetaminophen), in volunteers. A. sativum increased the clotting time and international normalised ratio of warfarin and caused hypoglycaemia when taken with chlorpropamide. Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) caused bleeding when combined with warfarin or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), raised blood pressure when combined with a thiazide diuretic and even caused coma when combined with trazodone in patients. Panax ginseng (ginseng) reduced the blood concentrations of alcohol (ethanol) and warfarin, and induced mania when used concomitantly with phenelzine, but ginseng increased the efficacy of influenza vaccination. Scutellaria baicalensis (huangqin) ameliorated irinotecan-induced gastrointestinal toxicity in cancer patients.Piper methysticum (kava) increased the 'off' periods in patients with parkinsonism taking levodopa and induced a semicomatose state when given concomitantly with alprazolam. Kava enhanced the hypnotic effect of alcohol in mice, but this was not observed in humans. Silybum marianum (milk thistle) decreased the trough concentrations of indinavir in humans. Piperine from black (Piper nigrum Linn) and long (P. longum Linn) peppers increased the AUC of phenytoin, propranolol and theophylline in healthy volunteers and plasma concentrations of rifamipicin (rifampin) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Eleutheroccus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) increased the serum concentration of digoxin, but did not alter the pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan and alprazolam in humans. Hypericum perforatum (hypericum; St John's wort) decreased the blood concentrations of ciclosporin (cyclosporin), midazolam, tacrolimus, amitriptyline, digoxin, indinavir, warfarin, phenprocoumon and theophylline, but did not alter the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine, pravastatin, mycophenolate mofetil and dextromethorphan. Cases have been reported where decreased ciclosporin concentrations led to organ rejection. Hypericum also caused breakthrough bleeding and unplanned pregnancies when used concomitantly with oral contraceptives. It also caused serotonin syndrome when used in combination with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. sertraline and paroxetine).In conclusion, interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs can occur and may lead to serious clinical consequences. There are other theoretical interactions indicated by preclinical data. Both pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic mechanisms have been considered to play a role in these interactions, although the underlying mechanisms for the altered drug effects and/or concentrations by concomitant herbal medicines are yet to be determined. The clinical importance of herb-drug interactions depends on many factors associated with the particular herb, drug and patient. Herbs should be appropriately labeled to alert consumers to potential interactions when concomitantly used with drugs, and to recommend a consultation with their general practitioners and other medical carers.

  Availability of weight-loss supplements: Results of an audit of retail outlets in a southeastern city.:

 J Am Diet Assoc. 2006; 106(12):2045-51 (ISSN: 0002-8223).Sharpe PA; Granner ML; Conway JM; Ainsworth BE; Dobre M.Prevention Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. pasharpe@sc.edu
 The sale of nonprescription weight-loss products accounts for millions of dollars spent by Americans trying to lose weight, yet there is little evidence for effectiveness and there are multiple safety concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine what products, and ingredients within products, were available at retail outlets in a metropolitan area. A purposive sampling strategy identified 73 retail outlets. An audit form was used to collect information from product labels. The audit identified 402 products containing 4,053 separate ingredients. The mean number of ingredients per product was 9.9+/-8.96 (range = 1 to 96). A database search was conducted regarding evidence for effectiveness, safety precautions, and side effects for the 10 ingredients that appeared most often across products. Modest evidence of effectiveness exists for green tea (Camellia sinensis), chromium picolinate, and ma huang (Ephedra major). For the remaining seven (ginger root [Zingiber officinale], guarana [Paullinia cupana], hydroxycitric acid [Garcinia cambogia], white willow [Salix alba], Siberian ginseng [Eleutherococcus senticosus], cayenne [Capsicum annuum], and bitter orange/zhi shi [Citrus aurantium]), inadequate or negative evidence exists. Although precautions and contraindications were found for all 10 ingredients, the strongest concerns in the literature appear for ma huang, bitter orange, and guarana. Our audit revealed numerous weight-loss products available to consumers, yet there is little evidence to support the effectiveness of the top 10 ingredients identified and many potential adverse reactions; therefore, food and nutrition professionals should discuss dietary supplement use with their clients.

  Effects of herbal extracts on the function of human organic anion-transporting polypeptide OATP-B.:

 Most known interactions between herbal extracts and drugs involve the inhibition of drug-metabolizing enzymes, but little is yet known about the possible role of transporters in these interactions. In this study, we have examined the effects of herbal extracts used in dietary supplements on the function of organic anion-transporting polypeptide B (OATP-B; OATP2B1), which is expressed on human intestinal epithelial cells and is considered to be involved in the intestinal absorption of various drugs. Specifically, the effects of 15 herbal extracts on uptake of estrone-3-sulfate, a typical OATP-B substrate, by human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably expressing OATP-B were evaluated. At concentration levels considered likely to be attainable in the human intestine, extracts of bilberry, echinacea, green tea, banaba, grape seed, ginkgo, and soybean potently inhibited estrone-3-sulfate uptake by 75.5, 55.5, 82.1, 61.1, 64.5, 85.4, and 66.8%, respectively (P < 0.01). The inhibitory effect of ginkgo leaf extract was concentration-dependent (IC(50) = 11.2 +/- 3.3 microg/ml) and reversible. Moreover, flavonol glycosides and catechins significantly inhibited the function of OATP-B, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of the herbal extracts on OATP-B may be primarily attributable to flavonoids. The extracts of mulberry, black cohosh, and Siberian ginseng moderately (but significantly) inhibited estrone-3-sulfate uptake by 39.1, 47.2, and 49.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). Extracts of barley, Job's tears, rutin, rafuma, and passionflower were ineffective. These results suggest that coadministration of some dietary supplements may decrease the absorption of orally administered substrates of OATP-B.

  Water-soluble polysaccharide from Eleutherococcus senticosus stems attenuates fulminant hepatic failure induced by D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide in mice.:

 Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2004; 94(6):298-304 (ISSN: 1742-7835).Park EJ; Nan JX; Zhao YZ; Lee SH; Kim YH; Nam JB; Lee JJ; Sohn DH.Department of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, Republic of Korea.
 The aim of this study was to investigate whether Eleutherococcus senticosus stems could attenuate D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced fulminant hepatic failure in mice. E. senticosus, known as Siberian ginseng, is a popular folk medicine used as a tonic in Asia. Preparations of E. senticosus used in this study were as follows; (i) 70% ethanol extract (ii) water extract (iii) ethanol-soluble part of the water extract (iv) polysaccharide obtained as an 80% ethanol insoluble of the water extract. Preparations were given by intraperitoneal (300 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) or oral (300 mg/kg) injection at 12 hr and 1 hr before a D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide injection. The intraperitoneal injection of water extract and polysaccharide significantly lowered serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, improved the histologic changes in liver, inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis confirmed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling method and DNA fragmentation assay, and suppressed the lethality induced by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide. The oral administration of water extract and polysaccharide also reduced serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels. In contrast 70% ethanol extract and ethanol-soluble part of the water extract had no protective effect when treated intraperitoneally or orally. These results indicate E. senticosus stems attenuate fulminant hepatic failure induced by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide in mice and the protective effect is due to water-soluble polysaccharides in E. senticosus stems.


  Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: a closer look.:

 J Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 72(3):345-93 (ISSN: 0378-8741).Davydov M; Krikorian AD.Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 11794-5215, USA. marinad5@yahoo.com
 The adaptogen concept is examined from an historical, biological, chemical, pharmacological and medical perspective using a wide variety of primary and secondary literature. The definition of an adaptogen first proposed by Soviet scientists in the late 1950s, namely that an adaptogen is any substance that exerts effects on both sick and healthy individuals by 'correcting' any dysfunction(s) without producing unwanted side effects, was used as a point of departure. We attempted to identify critically what an adaptogen supposedly does and to determine whether the word embodies in and of itself any concept(s) acceptable to western conventional (allopathic) medicine. Special attention was paid to the reported pharmacological effects of the 'adaptogen-containing plant' Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae), referred to by some as 'Siberian ginseng', and to its secondary chemical composition. We conclude that so far as specific pharmacological activities are concerned there are a number of valid arguments for equating the action of so-called adaptogens with those of medicinal agents that have activities as anti-oxidants, and/or anti-cancerogenic, immunomodulatory and hypocholesteroletic as well as hypoglycemic and choleretic action. However, 'adaptogens' and 'anti-oxidants' etc. also show significant dissimilarities and these are discussed. Significantly, the classical definition of an adaptogen has much in common with views currently being invoked to describe and explain the 'placebo effect'. Nevertheless, the chemistry of the secondary compounds of Eleutherococcus isolated thus far and their pharmacological effects support our hypothesis that the reported beneficial effects of adaptogens derive from their capacity to exert protective and/or inhibitory action against free radicals. An inventory of the secondary substances contained in Eleutherococcus discloses a potential for a wide range of activities reported from work on cultured cell lines, small laboratory animals and human subjects. Much of the cited work (although not all) has been published in peer-reviewed journals. Six compounds show various levels of activity as anti-oxidants, four show anti-cancer action, three show hypocholesterolemic activity, two show immunostimulatory effects, one has choleretic activity and one has the ability to decrease/moderate insulin levels, one has activity as a radioprotectant, one shows anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities and yet another has shown activity as an antibacterial agent. Some of the compounds show more than one pharmacological effect and some show similar effects although they belong to different chemical classes. Clearly, Eleutherococcus contains pharmacologically active compounds but one wishes that the term adaptogen could be dropped from the literature because it is vague and conveys no insights into the mechanism(s) of action. If a precise action can be attributed to it, then the exact term for said action should obviously be used; if not, we strongly urge that generalities be avoided. Also, comparison of Eleutherococcus with the more familiar Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae), 'true ginseng' has underscored that they differ considerably chemically and pharmacologically and cannot be justifiably considered as mutually interchangeable. Accordingly, we recommend that the designation 'Siberian ginseng' be dropped and be replaced with 'Eleutherococcus'. In the case of both Eleutherococcus and true ginseng, problems inherent in herbal preparation use include inconsistencies not only in terms of indications for use, but in the nomenclature of constituent chemical compounds, standardization, dosage and product labeling.

  Effects of adaptogens on granulocytopoiesis during paradoxical sleep deprivation.:

 Bull Exp Biol Med. 2002; 133(3):261-4 (ISSN: 0007-4888).Provalova NV; Skurikhin EG; Suslov NI; Dygai AM; Gol'dberg ED.Institute of Pharmacology, Tomsk Research Center, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
 We studied the effects of extracts from Siberian ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, bergenia, and ginseng (G115) and pantohematogen on granulocytopoiesis after paradoxical sleep deprivation. The effects of adaptogens on the blood system were most pronounced during hyperplasia of granulocytopoiesis. Natural preparations were divided into groups depending on their activity. Extracts of Siberian ginseng and Rhodiola rosea did not modulate granulocytopoiesis. Ginseng G115 extract suppressed granulocytopoiesis. Bergenia extract and pantohematogen produced ambiguous effects on the granulocytic hemopoietic stem.

  Selected herbals and human exercise performance.:

 Am J Clin Nutr. 2000; 72(2 Suppl):624S-36S (ISSN: 0002-9165).Bucci LR.Weider Nutrition International, Salt Lake City, UT 84104-4726, USA. lukeb@weider.com
 Herbs have been used throughout history to enhance physical performance, but scientific scrutiny with controlled clinical trials has only recently been used to study such effects. The following herbs are currently used to enhance physical performance regardless of scientific evidence of effect: Chinese, Korean, and American ginsengs; Siberian ginseng, mahuang or Chinese ephedra; ashwagandha; rhodiola; yohimbe; CORDYCEPS: fungus, shilajit or mummio; smilax; wild oats; Muira puama; suma (ecdysterone); Tribulus terrestris; saw palmetto berries; beta-sitosterol and other related sterols; and wild yams (diosgenin). Controlled studies of Asian ginsengs found improvements in exercise performance when most of the following conditions were true: use of standardized root extracts, study duration (>8 wk, daily dose >1 g dried root or equivalent, large number of subjects, and older subjects. Improvements in muscular strength, maximal oxygen uptake, work capacity, fuel homeostasis, serum lactate, heart rate, visual and auditory reaction times, alertness, and psychomotor skills have also been repeatedly documented. Siberian ginseng has shown mixed results. Mahuang, ephedrine, and related alkaloids have not benefited physical performance except when combined with caffeine. Other herbs remain virtually untested. Future research on ergogenic effects of herbs should consider identity and amount of substance or presumed active ingredients administered, dose response, duration of test period, proper experimental controls, measurement of psychological and physiologic parameters (including antioxidant actions), and measurements of performance pertinent to intended uses.

  Mechanisms underling the effects of adaptogens on erythropoiesis during paradoxical sleep deprivation.:

 Bull Exp Biol Med. 2002; 133(5):428-32 (ISSN: 0007-4888).Provalova NV; Skurikhin EG; Pershina OV; Suslov NI; Minakova MY; Dygai AM; Gol'dberg ED.Institute of Pharmacology, Tomsk Research Center, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
 We studied the effects of adaptogens extracts of Siberian ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, bergenia, and ginseng and pantohematogen, on erythropoiesis after paradoxical sleep deprivation. Adaptogens stimulated bone marrow erythropoiesis in the early stage, but decreased the count of bone marrow erythrokaryocytes 3-7 days after treatment. The effect of adaptogens on erythropoiesis is associated with modulation of the state of brain neurotransmitter systems followed by changes in functional activity of cells in the hemopoiesis-inducing microenvironment.

  A new lignan glycoside from Eleutherococcus senticosus.:

 Planta Med. 2001; 67(8):776-8 (ISSN: 0032-0943).Li XC; Barnes DL; Khan IA.National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Mississippi 38677, USA.
 A new lignan glycoside, named eleutheroside E(2) (1), has been isolated from the roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus (known as "Siberian ginseng"), along with isomaltol 3-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (2), eleutherosides B, E and E(1), and thymidine. The structure of 1 was established by spectral interpretations as episyringaresinol 4"-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Compound 2 is described here for the first time as a naturally occurring compound.


  Elevated serum digoxin levels in a patient taking digoxin and Siberian ginseng.:

 CMAJ. 1996; 155(3):293-5 (ISSN: 0820-3946).McRae S.Gore Bay Medical Centre, ON.
 A 74-year-old man taking a constant dose of digoxin for many years was found to have an elevated serum digoxin level with no signs of toxic effects. Common causes of elevated serum digoxin were ruled out, and the patient's digoxin level remained high after digoxin therapy was stopped. The patient then revealed that he was taking Siberian ginseng, a popular herbal remedy. The patient stopped taking ginseng, and the serum digoxin level soon returned to an acceptable level. The digoxin therapy was resumed. The patient resumed taking ginseng several months later, and the serum digoxin level again rose. Digoxin therapy was maintained at a constant daily dose, the ginseng was stopped once more, and the serum digoxin levels again returned to within the therapeutic range. It is unclear whether some component of the ginseng was converted to digoxin in vivo, interfered with digoxin elimination or caused a false serum assay result. The author cautions physicians to be alert to the potential for herbal remedies to interact with prescribed medications and to affect biochemical analyses.

  Determination of eleutheroside E and eleutheroside B in rat plasma and tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography using solid-phase extraction and photodiode array detection.:

 Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2006; 62(3):315-20 (ISSN: 0939-6411).Feng S; Hu F; Zhao JX; Liu X; Li Y.Department of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, People's Republic of China. fsllzyxy@public.lz.gs.cn
 A HPLC method with photodiode array detection (PDA) was developed for the determination and a pharmacokinetic study of eleutheroside E (ELU E) and eleutheroside B (ELU B) in rat plasma and tissue following an eleutherococcus injection. The analysis was performed on a Kromasil C18 column, using water-acetonitrile as the gradient mobile phase and 0.8 mL/min flow rate. Detection wavelengths of ELU E and ELU B were 220 and 206 nm, respectively. Protein from the biological sample was deposited using acetonitrile. ELU E and ELU B were extracted from the biological samples using acetonitrile, separated by solid-phase extraction, and eluted from the cartridge using 60% methanol. The extraction recovery of ELU E and ELU B was 91.2 and 88.8%, respectively. The limit of detection was 37.6 ng/mL for ELU E and 37.0 ng/mL for ELU B (S/N = 3) in plasma. Blood drug level-time cuvers of ELU E and ELU B in Wister rats following administration of an eleutherococcus injection into femoral vein were shown to fit a three-compartment model. The half-life (t1/2) was 4.662 h for ELU E and 2.494 h for ELU B. Following administration of a single eleutherococcus injection, the concentration of ELU E and ELU B in the tissue was Cliver > Ckidney > Cspleen > Cheart and Ckidney > Cliver > Cheart. We believe the method described in the present paper is accurate and reliable and can be used for pharmacokinetic studies of ELU E and ELU B in rats. In addition, the method for sample preparation, using solid phase extraction, is precise, simple and rapid.

  Quantitative determination of eleutheroside B and E from Acanthopanax species by high performance liquid chromatography.:

 Arch Pharm Res. 2001; 24(5):407-11 (ISSN: 0253-6269).Kang JS; Linh PT; Cai XF; Kim HS; Lee JJ; Kim YH.College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Taejon 305-764, Korea.
 Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was applied for the determination of eleutheroside B and E in the various Acanthopanax species collected in Korea. The stationary phase used was Zorbax 300 SB C18 and a mobile phase program was used, which started at 6% acetonitrile for 2 min, and then a linear gradient was operated for the next 18 min to 17% acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The column effluent was monitored at UV 210 nm. Identification was carried out by comparing the retention time and the LC/MS spectrum of each peak corresponding to eleutheroside B and E from sample with those of standards. In general, the contents of eleutheroside B and E in stems were higher than those in roots. Acanthopanax species could be classified into two groups based upon the contents of eleutheroside B and E: one group contains no or very little eleutheroside B and another contains both eleutheroside B and E.

  Separation of eleutheroside E from crude extract of Radix Acanthopanacis Senticosus by analytical and preparative high-speed countercurrent chromatography.:

 Se Pu. 2002; 20(6):543-5 (ISSN: 1000-8713).Wei Y; Zhang TY; Wu KY.Beijing Research Center for Separation & Purification Technology of Natural Products, Beijing Institute of New Technology Application, Beijing 100035, China. weiyun0570@sina.com
 Analytical high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) was used for the systematic optimization of the two-phase solvent system to separate eleutheroside E from crude extract of Radix Acanthopanacis Senticosus. Eleutheroside E was obtained by preparative HSCCC with two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform-methanol-isopropanol-water (5:6:1:4 in volume ratio). The mobile phase is the lower phase and operated at a flow-rate of 2.0 mL/min, while the apparatus rotated at 800 r/min. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of eleutheroside E revealed that its purity was over 98%. HSCCC is a useful method for the separation of natural products.

  Application of bioreactor system for large-scale production of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus somatic embryos in an air-lift bioreactor and production of eleutherosides.:

 J Biotechnol. 2005; 120(2):228-36 (ISSN: 0168-1656).Shohael AM; Chakrabarty D; Yu KW; Hahn EJ; Paek KY.Research Center for the Development of Advanced Horticultural Technology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.
 Embryogenic callus was induced from leaf explants of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 1 mg l(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), while no plant growth regulators were needed for embryo maturation. The addition of 1 mg l(-1) 2,4-D was needed to maintain the embryogenic culture by preventing embryo maturation. Optimal embryo germination and plantlet development was achieved on MS medium with 4 mg l(-1) gibberellic acid (GA(3)). Low-strength MS medium (1/2 and 1/3 strength) was more effective than full-strength MS for the production of normal plantlets with well-developed shoots and roots. The plants were successfully transferred to soil. Embryogenic callus was used to establish a suspension culture for subsequent production of somatic embryos in bioreactor. By inoculating 10 g of embryogenic cells (fresh weight) into a 3l balloon type bubble bioreactor (BTBB) containing 2l MS medium without plant growth regulators, 121.8 g mature somatic embryos at different developmental stages were harvested and could be separated by filtration. Cotyledonary somatic embryos were germinated, and these converted into plantlets following transfer to a 3l BTBB containing 2l MS medium with 4 mg l(-1) GA3. HPLC analysis revealed that the total eleutherosides were significantly higher in leaves of field grown plants as compared to different stages of somatic embryo. However, the content of eleutheroside B was highest in germinated embryos. Germinated embryos also had higher contents of eleutheroside E and eleutheroside E1 as compared to other developmental stages. This result indicates that an efficient protocol for the mass production of E. sessiliflorus biomass can be achieved by bioreactor culture of somatic embryos and can be used as a source of medicinal raw materials.


  Effects of various Eleutherococcus senticosus cortex on swimming time, natural killer activity and corticosterone level in forced swimming stressed mice.:

 J Ethnopharmacol. 2004; 95(2-3):447-53 (ISSN: 0378-8741).
 The cortex of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. has been used extensively in Russia, China, Korea and Japan as an adaptogen whose properties are the ability to increase as non-specific body resistance to stress and fatigue. Although it has been reported that Eleutherococcus senticosus has anti-fatigue and anti-stress actions, their actions are still unclear on the relationship between immune system, especially natural killer (NK) activity and endocrine system (corticosterone level). We compared the effects of the water extracts (A, B, C, D and E) of five Eleutherococcus senticosus cortex on the swimming time, NK activity and blood corticosterone level using forced swimming stressed mice. Among five kinds, C, D and E extracts significantly prolonged the swimming time. C and D extracts inhibited the reduction of NK activity and the corticosterone elevation induced by forced swimming. The contents of eleutheroside E, isoflaxidin and eleutherosides B plus E were in the order C > D > E > B > A and C > E > D > A > B extracts, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that eleutheroside E may be contributed to the anti-fatigue action, the recovery of the reduction of NK activity and the inhibition of corticosterone elevation induced by swimming stress.

  A benzenoid from the stem of Acanthopanax senticosus.:

 Arch Pharm Res. 2004; 27(9):912-4 (ISSN: 0253-6269).Ryu J; Son D; Kang J; Kim HS; Kim BK; Lee S.R & D Center for Functional Foods, Institute of Food and Culture, Pulmuone Co. Ltd., Seoul 120-600, Korea.
 Seven compounds were isolated from the stem of Acanthopanax senticosus by repeated column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated as isovanillin (1), (-)-sesamin (2), isofraxidin (3), (+)-syringaresinol (4), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5), eleutheroside B (6), and eleutheroside E (7) by spectral analysis. Among them, isovanillin (1) was isolated for the first time from the family Araliaceae.

  Inhibitory lignans against NFAT transcription factor from Acanthopanax koreanum.:

 Arch Pharm Res. 2004; 27(7):738-41 (ISSN: 0253-6269).Cai XF; Lee IS; Dat NT; Shen G; Kang JS; Kim DH; Kim YH.College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejon 305-764, Korea.
 Three lignans isolated from the roots of A. koreanum (Araliaceae), namely eleutheroside E (1), tortoside A (2), and hemiariensin (4), were evaluated for their ability to inhibit NFAT transcription factor. Of these compounds, compound 4, possessing a diarylbutane skeleton, exhibited potent inhibitory activity against NFAT transcription factor (IC50: 36.3 +/- 2.5 microM). However, the activities of 1 (IC50: > 500 microM) and 2 (IC50: 136.1 +/- 9.4 microM), which possess bisaryldioxabicyclooctane skeletons, were lower. As the lignan derivatives of the same skeletons, hinokinin (5) and (-)-yatein (6) with diarylbutane skeletons and (+)-syringaresinol (3) with a bisaryldioxabicyclooctane skeleton were also studied for their inhibitory effects on NFAT transcription factor.

  Production of eleutherosides in in vitro regenerated embryos and plantlets of Eleutherococcus chiisanensis.:

 Biotechnol Lett. 2005; 27(10):701-4 (ISSN: 0141-5492).Jeong JH; Jung SJ; Murthy HN; Yu KW; Paek KY; Moon HK; Choi YE.Biotechnology Division, Korea Forest Research Institute, Suwon, 441-350, Korea.
 High frequency somatic embryogenesis of Eleutheorcoccus chiisanensis was achieved through suspension culture of embryogenic cells in hormone-free Murashige and Skoog liquid medium supplemented with 30 g sucrose l-1. Cotyledonary somatic embryos were germinated and converted into plantlets using 20 microM: gibberellic acid which were then grown in a 10 l airlift bioreactor. HPLC analysis revealed the accumulation of eleutheroside B, E and E1 in the embryos and plantlets. Thus mass production of embryos and plantlets of E. chiisanensis can be achieved in liquid cultures and the biomass produced may become an alternative source of eleutherosides.

  Anti-oxidant activities of Acanthopanax senticosus stems and their lignan components.:

 Arch Pharm Res. 2004; 27(1):106-10 (ISSN: 0253-6269).Lee S; Son D; Ryu J; Lee YS; Jung SH; Kang J; Lee SY; Kim HS; Shin KH.Natural Products Research Institute and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-460, Korea.
 The antioxidant activities of Acanthopanax senticosus stems were evaluated in CCl4-intoxicated rats. The n-butanol fraction from the water extract of the stems, when pretreated orally at 200 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days in rats, was demonstrated to exhibit significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activities such as hepatic cytosolic superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase by 30.31, 19.82 and 155%, respectively. The n-butanol fraction whereas showed a significant inhibition of serum GPT activity (65.79% inhibition) elevated with hepatic damage induced by CCl4-intoxication. Eleutheroside B, a lignan component, isolated from the n-butanol fraction was found to cause a moderate free radical scavenging effect on DPPH, its scavenging potency as indicated in IC50 value, being 58.5 microM. These results suggested that the stems of A. senticosus possess not only antioxidant but also hepatoprotective activities.


  A new lignan glycoside from Eleutherococcus senticosus.:

 Planta Med. 2001; 67(8):776-8 (ISSN: 0032-0943).Li XC; Barnes DL; Khan IA.National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Mississippi 38677, USA.
 A new lignan glycoside, named eleutheroside E(2) (1), has been isolated from the roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus (known as "Siberian ginseng"), along with isomaltol 3-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (2), eleutherosides B, E and E(1), and thymidine. The structure of 1 was established by spectral interpretations as episyringaresinol 4"-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Compound 2 is described here for the first time as a naturally occurring compound.

  Antibacterial compounds from the leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus.:

 Arch Pharm Res. 2003; 26(1):40-2 (ISSN: 0253-6269).Lee S; Shin DS; Oh KB; Shin KH.Natural Products Research Institute and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-460, Korea.
 Chiisanogenin (1), hyperin (2) and chiisanoside (3) were isolated from the leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus, and were tested for their inhibitory activities against 6 strains of bacteria. Among them, chiisanogenin (1) revealed broad but moderate antibacterial activities against G (+) and G (-) bacteria, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) being in the range of 50-100 microg/ml.

  Acanthopanax senticosus reverses fatty liver disease and hyperglycemia in ob/ob mice.:

 Arch Pharm Res. 2006; 29(9):768-76 (ISSN: 0253-6269).Park SH; Lee SG; Kang SK; Chung SH.College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in obesity. However, weight reduction alone does not prevent the progression of NAFLD to end-stage disease associated with the development of cirrhosis and liver disease. In a previous experiment, 50% ethanol extract of Acanthopanax senticosus stem bark (ASSB) was found to reduce body weight and insulin resistance in high fat diet-induced hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic ICR mice. To evaluate the anti-steatosis action of ASSB, insulin-resistant ob/ob mice with fatty livers were treated with ASSB ethanol extract for an 8 week-period. ASSB ethanol extract reversed the hepatomegaly, as evident in reduction of % liver weight/body weight ratio. ASSB ethanol extract also specifically lowered circulating glucose and lipids, and enhanced insulin action in the liver. These changes culminated in inhibition of triglyceride synthesis in non-adipose tissues including liver and skeletal muscle. Gene expression studies confirmed reductions in glucose 6-phosphatase and lipogenic enzymes in the liver. These results demonstrate that ASSB ethanol extract is an effective treatment for insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice by decreasing hepatic lipid synthesis.

  High-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrum analysis for identifying the antifatigue components in Acanthopanax senticosus Harms.:

 Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2003; 23(4):355-7 (ISSN: 1000-2588).Wang ZC; Qiao SY; Ma AD; Bao YY.Central Laboratory, Frist Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. wuwang@fimmu.edu.cn
 The roots of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harm were obtained for the acquisition of the crude extractives to isolate the 19 components by means of preliminary extraction and isolation. High-performance liquid chromatography followed by primary and secondary mass spectrum analysis (HPLC/MS/MS) was employed to identify the antifatigue components from the extracts of the plant with reference to the literature. Good isolation results were achieved and several known and unknown chemical compounds were identified, for instance, in one sample (No. 11) 5 known components were detected along with 6 unknown compounds with relative molecular mass of 302, 318, 346, 354, 390, and 406, respectively.

  Anti-metastatic activity of Acanthopanax senticosus extract and its possible immunological mechanism of action.:

 J Ethnopharmacol. 2004; 93(2-3):247-53 (ISSN: 0378-8741).Yoon TJ; Yoo YC; Lee SW; Shin KS; Choi WH; Hwang SH; Ha ES; Jo SK; Kim SH; Park WM.Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyonggi University, Kyonggido 442-760, Republic of Korea.
 Antitumor and immunomodulatory activities of an aqueous extract (GF100) of Acanthopanax senticosus were examined. In experimental lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 carcinoma cells, intravenous (i.v.) administration of GF100 2 days before tumor inoculation significantly inhibited lung metastasis in a dose-dependent manner. The i.v. administration of GF100 also exhibited the therapeutic effect on tumor metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells, when it was injected 1 day after tumor inoculation. In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, GF100 at the concentration up to 1000 microg/ml did not affect the growth of colon26-M3.1 cells. In contrast, GF100 enhanced the responsiveness to a mitogen, concanavalin A (ConA), of splenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Peritoneal macrophage stimulated with GF100 produced various cytokines such as IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-12 and IFN-gamma in an in vitro experiment. The macrophages obtained from the mice which were injected with GF100 (500 microg) 3 days before the assay showed significantly higher tumoricidal activity against tumor cells than that of the untreated macrophages. In addition, the i.v. administration of GF100 significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity to Yac-1 cells. The depletion of NK cells by injection of rabbit anti-asialo GM1 serum completely abolished the inhibitory effect of GF100 on lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells. These data suggest that GF100 has antitumor activity to inhibit tumor metastasis prophylactically as well as therapeutically, and its antitumor effect is associated with activation of macrophages and NK cells.


  Scientific References:

  1.What is Siberian Ginseng? Siberian ginseng for Memory aid?
  2.Research update of Siberian Ginseng Extract.Eleutherosides.