Lipid‐Soluble Extracts as the Main Source of Anticancer Activity in Ginseng and Ginseng Marc

Abstract

The anticancer activity of ginseng originated mainly from lipid-soluble components. The hexane extract of ginseng marc (HEGM) showed a potent inhibitory activity on human hepatoma (HepG2, GI 50 = 41.7 lg/ml) and breast (MCF-7, GI 50 = 54.4 lg/ml) cancer cell proliferation in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner as did the hexane extract of ginseng (HEG), with GI 50 values of 21.1 lg/ml in HepG2 and 41.2 lg/ml in MCF-7. The water extract of ginseng (WEG) possessed a low anticancer activity against both cancer cell lines, but the hexanesoluble fraction of WEG (HSF/WEG) showed a potent anticancer activity against HepG2 (GI 50 = 38.7 lg/ml) and MCF-7 cells (GI 50 = 51.1 lg/ml). The hexane extraction in ginseng was a very promising protocol for the maximum recovery of the anticancer active components in high concentrations. Also the adoption of hexane extraction after water extraction of ginseng was successful in the effective utilization of the residual lipid-soluble anticancer active components in ginseng marc.

Lipid-Soluble Ginseng Extract Induces Apoptosis and G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest in NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells

“…In addition to the aqueous extracts of ginseng, lipidsoluble ginseng extracts (LSGEs) were described to inhibit proliferation of human colon, rectal, liver and breast cancer cells in vitro and to extend the survival rate of mice bearing murine ascites sarcoma-180 in vivo [9][10][11]. Polyacetylenes containing panaxynol, panaxydol, and panaxytriol have been regarded to be responsible for these anticancer effects in LSGE [11,12].…”

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanolic extract of fermented red ginseng marc

“…However, the red ginseng marc is generally discarded as waste, even though it contains bioactive components (4). For many decades, researchers have been interested in the use of fermented materials and the understanding of their biological capacities (25)(26)(27).…”

“…RGM is generally discarded as waste, even though it contains bioactive components (4). In previous studies, it has been used as a foodstuff and culture medium additive.…”

Analysis of Nonpolar Components from Ginseng of Different Ages

“…In addition to linoleic, palmitic, oleic and linolenic fatty acids and principal sesquiterpene components [4,5], polyacetylenes including panaxytriol, falcarinol and ginsenoyne A-K are present in ginseng as typical diyne lipid components [1,[6][7][8]. Recent studies reported that the nonpolar components of ginseng have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor and anti-obesity activities [9][10][11][12]. A compound having pharmacological activity (such as falcarinol) could be found among them [13].…”