Ji-Eun Shin

Cytotoxicity of Compound K (IH-901) and Ginsenoside Rh2, Main Biotransformants of Ginseng Saponins by Bifidobacteria, against Some Tumor Cells

When ginsenoside Rb1 and Rb2 were anaerobically incubated with human fecal microflora, these ginsenosides were metabolized to compound K (IH-901). When ginsenoside Rg3 was anaerobically incubated with human fecal microflora, the ginsenoside Rg3 was metabolized it to ginsenoside Rh2. Among ginsenosides, IH-901 and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 exhibited the most potent cyotoxicity against tumor cells: 50% cytotoxic concentrations of IH-901 in the media with and without fetal bovine serum (FBS) were 27.1-31.6 μM and 0.1-0.6 μM, and those of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 were 37.5->50 and 0.7-7.1 μM, respectively. The cytotoxic potency of ginsenosides was IH-901>20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2≫20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3>ginsenoside Rb1.Rb2.

Standardization of Pancreatin

Pancreatin is a enzyme mixture breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Most pancreatin used in Korea is imported from foreign countries. However, guideline of each country for pancreatin produced from each country is different. Therefore, guideline for pancreatin imported from several countries, such as Europe, Japan and America, it is standardized to control its quality. Assay of enzyme activity for pancreatin in KP is similar to tat in JP, but it is significantly different from those in FP ad in USP. We measured pancreatin digestive activities of 17 commercial products. Activity assay of digestive enzymes, starch- and lipid-digestive enzymes, for pancreatin by KP method (including JP) was difficult compared to those by FIP ad USP methods. Particularly, activity assays of starch- and lipid-digestive enzymes by KP method were mistakable, ad varied in diluted samples than those by FIP. However, activity assay of protein-digestive enzyme by KP method was similar to that by FIP. Starch-digestive enzyme activities of 17 commercial pancreatins by KP method were lower 0.079-fold compared to those by FIP method. Their protein-digestive enzyme activities by KP method were higher 75.7-fold than those by FIP method. Their lipid-digestive enzyme activities by KP method were lower 0.234-fold compared to those by FIP method.