Stem-and-leaf of new hydroponically-cultured ginseng cultivar K-1: A sustainable and innovative resource of ginsenosides for anti-inflammatory agents

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer), a traditional medicine plant cultivated in eastern Asia, has recently captured attention for its potential advancements in hydroponic cultivation, offering a sustainable and innovative resource. Additionally, in the typical processing of ginseng, stem-and-leaf are commonly discarded, leading to resource wastage and overlooking their economically valuable potential as an alternative to the conventionally prioritized roots.

Methods: Initially, we investigated the phenotype of five Korean hydroponically cultivated ginseng cultivars, namely Kumpoong (KP), Chunpoong (CP), Honkaejong (HKJ), Yunpoong (YP), and K-1. Subsequently, we focused on evaluating aerial extracts to identify the most suitable cultivar for reliable resources. This involved phytochemical compositions and anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and LPS-induced mice, employing quantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, and western blotting.

Results: The K-1 cultivar exhibited superior phenotypic traits and pathogen resistance. HPLC results revealed that aerial extracts contained four times higher ginsenoside content and exhibited a considerable abundance of ginsenoside Rd compared to root extracts. K-1 aerial extract exhibited the highest phytochemical content. The aerial extract of CP and K-1 exhibited greater efficacy in attenuating ROS production, mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction, and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS) through the NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways, which were corroborated in vivo at a 50 mg/kg dose.

Conclusions: Our findings propose the stem-and-leaf of hydroponically cultivated ginseng cultivar K-1 presents an economical alternative to the traditionally valued ginseng root, given its superior stem-and-leaf phenotype and phytochemical content in the aerial extract coupled with promising potential for anti-inflammatory agents in dietary interventions.