An Integrated Biochemical, Proteomics, and Metabolomics Approach for Supporting Medicinal Value of Panax ginseng Fruits

Abstract

Panax ginseng roots are well known for their medicinal properties and have been used in Korean and Chinese traditional medicines for 1000s of years. However, the medicinal value of P. ginseng fruits remain poorly characterized. In this study, we used an integrated biochemical, proteomics, and metabolomics approach to look into the medicinal properties of ginseng fruits. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] assays showed higher antioxidant activities in ginseng fruits than leaves or roots. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) profiling of ginseng fruit proteins (cv. Cheongsun) showed more than 400 spots wherein a total of 81 protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry using NCBInr, UniRef, and an in-house developed RNAseq (59,251 protein sequences)-based databases. Gene ontology analysis showed that most of the identified proteins were related to the hydrolase (18%), oxidoreductase (16%), and ATP binding (15%) activities. Further, a comparative proteome analysis of four cultivars of ginseng fruits (cvs. Yunpoong, Gumpoong, Chunpoong, and Cheongsun) led to the identification of 22 differentially modulated protein spots. Using gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS), 66 metabolites including amino acids, sugars, organic acids, phenolic acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and policosanols were identified and quantified. Some of these are well known medicinal compounds and were not previously identified in ginseng. Interestingly, the concentration of almost all metabolites was higher in the Chunpoong and Gumpoong cultivars. Parallel comparison of the four cultivars also revealed higher amounts of the medicinal metabolites in Chunpoong and Gumpoong cultivars. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ginseng fruits are a rich source of medicinal compounds with potential beneficial health effects.

Antidepressant-like effects of Marasmius androsaceus metabolic exopolysaccharides on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced rat model

“…As reported previously, Hypericum enshiense exhibits beneficial effects to moderate depressive behaviors in animal models, as assessed from forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) (9). The stress-attenuating activities of Panax ginseng have been confirmed experimentally and clinically (10). Marasmius androsaceus, a medicinal fungus, is mainly used for treating traumatic injury, fracture pain, sciatica, migraine, leprosy neuralgia and rheumatic arthritis in China (11).…”

Proteomic Contributions to Medicinal Plant Research: From Plant Metabolism to Pharmacological Action

“…Proteomic techniques, which enable the measurement of systemic changes during cellular metabolism, have been used to analyze the synthesis of bioactive compounds that confer to medicinal plants their health promoting properties ( Figure 1 ) [ 23 ]. Cannabis sativa , or the marijuana plant, is often used to reduce chronic pain [ 24 ].…”

“…The correlation of changes in energy metabolism with ginsenoside content was revealed by metabolic profiling [ 33 ]. In addition to traditionally used roots, the medicinal values of ginseng fruits were evaluated using proteomics [ 23 ]. A correlation between the abundance of the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase family protein and radical scavenging activity of ginseng fruits was revealed by comparing different cultivars [ 23 ].…”

“…In addition to traditionally used roots, the medicinal values of ginseng fruits were evaluated using proteomics [ 23 ]. A correlation between the abundance of the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase family protein and radical scavenging activity of ginseng fruits was revealed by comparing different cultivars [ 23 ]. The results show the usefulness of proteomic techniques to discover key enzymes that are crucial for biological activities of medicinal plants.…”

Stigmasterol Biosynthesis Pathway is Associated With the Dehiscence Process in Panax Ginseng Seeds

“…Meyer) is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs. In particular, ginseng root has been reported to have various therapeutic effects, such as anti-cancer, immune response enhancement, blood glucose level improvement, and insulin regulation, among other properties [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Ginseng is propagated from seeds, and ginseng seeds exhibit morphophysiological dormancy according to Baskin's classi cation theory [9].…”