Pharmacokinetic variability of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, rd, and compound K from Korean red ginseng in experimental rodents
Abstract Korean red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) contains ginsenosides, which are metabolized into active metabolites with various pharmacological effects. This study assessed the in vivo exposure and accumulation of ginsenosides following single and repeated administration of KRG and its...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13873-9 |
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| author | Ji-Soo Jeong Jeong-Won Kim Jin-Hwa Kim Chang-Yeop Kim Eun-Hye Chung So-Young Boo Mario Giorgi Je-Won Ko Tae-Won Kim |
| author_facet | Ji-Soo Jeong Jeong-Won Kim Jin-Hwa Kim Chang-Yeop Kim Eun-Hye Chung So-Young Boo Mario Giorgi Je-Won Ko Tae-Won Kim |
| author_sort | Ji-Soo Jeong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Korean red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) contains ginsenosides, which are metabolized into active metabolites with various pharmacological effects. This study assessed the in vivo exposure and accumulation of ginsenosides following single and repeated administration of KRG and its active ingredient, compound K, in experimental rodents. In Study 1, rats received KRG (2 g/kg) orally as a single dose or for 2, 4, and 8 wks. Repeated administration increased the maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd compared to a single dose (Rb: 23.9 to 68.3 ng/mL; Rd: 8.5 to 30.8 ng/mL over 8 wks). Compound K was detected at 2.9 and 2.3 ng/mL of Cmax after 4 and 8 wks of continuous KRG administration, with no significant differences. In Study 2, oral administration of compound K (5 or 10 mg/kg) in rats resulted in accumulation factors of 4 and 7, respectively. Study 3 evaluated the oral bioavailability of compound K in mice (intravenous, 2 mg/kg; oral, 10 mg/kg), estimating it at approximately 12%. Additionally, network pharmacology and molecular docking simulation studies supported the clinical potential of compound K against inflammation-related diseases. These findings suggest that for substances like KRG, which undergo in vivo metabolic conversion after administration, repeated KRG administration alters pharmacokinetic profiles and should be taken into consideration in its application. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d7717ff3cdcd410aade01985d6ec2820 |
| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d7717ff3cdcd410aade01985d6ec28202025-08-20T03:04:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-13873-9Pharmacokinetic variability of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, rd, and compound K from Korean red ginseng in experimental rodentsJi-Soo Jeong0Jeong-Won Kim1Jin-Hwa Kim2Chang-Yeop Kim3Eun-Hye Chung4So-Young Boo5Mario Giorgi6Je-Won Ko7Tae-Won Kim8College of Veterinary Medicine (BK21 FOUR Program), Chungnam National UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine (BK21 FOUR Program), Chungnam National UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine (BK21 FOUR Program), Chungnam National UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine (BK21 FOUR Program), Chungnam National UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine (BK21 FOUR Program), Chungnam National UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine (BK21 FOUR Program), Chungnam National UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of PisaCollege of Veterinary Medicine (BK21 FOUR Program), Chungnam National UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine (BK21 FOUR Program), Chungnam National UniversityAbstract Korean red ginseng (KRG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) contains ginsenosides, which are metabolized into active metabolites with various pharmacological effects. This study assessed the in vivo exposure and accumulation of ginsenosides following single and repeated administration of KRG and its active ingredient, compound K, in experimental rodents. In Study 1, rats received KRG (2 g/kg) orally as a single dose or for 2, 4, and 8 wks. Repeated administration increased the maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd compared to a single dose (Rb: 23.9 to 68.3 ng/mL; Rd: 8.5 to 30.8 ng/mL over 8 wks). Compound K was detected at 2.9 and 2.3 ng/mL of Cmax after 4 and 8 wks of continuous KRG administration, with no significant differences. In Study 2, oral administration of compound K (5 or 10 mg/kg) in rats resulted in accumulation factors of 4 and 7, respectively. Study 3 evaluated the oral bioavailability of compound K in mice (intravenous, 2 mg/kg; oral, 10 mg/kg), estimating it at approximately 12%. Additionally, network pharmacology and molecular docking simulation studies supported the clinical potential of compound K against inflammation-related diseases. These findings suggest that for substances like KRG, which undergo in vivo metabolic conversion after administration, repeated KRG administration alters pharmacokinetic profiles and should be taken into consideration in its application.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13873-9PharmacokineticsKorean red ginsengGinsenosideCompound kMetabolic conversion |
| spellingShingle | Ji-Soo Jeong Jeong-Won Kim Jin-Hwa Kim Chang-Yeop Kim Eun-Hye Chung So-Young Boo Mario Giorgi Je-Won Ko Tae-Won Kim Pharmacokinetic variability of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, rd, and compound K from Korean red ginseng in experimental rodents Scientific Reports Pharmacokinetics Korean red ginseng Ginsenoside Compound k Metabolic conversion |
| title | Pharmacokinetic variability of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, rd, and compound K from Korean red ginseng in experimental rodents |
| title_full | Pharmacokinetic variability of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, rd, and compound K from Korean red ginseng in experimental rodents |
| title_fullStr | Pharmacokinetic variability of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, rd, and compound K from Korean red ginseng in experimental rodents |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pharmacokinetic variability of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, rd, and compound K from Korean red ginseng in experimental rodents |
| title_short | Pharmacokinetic variability of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, rd, and compound K from Korean red ginseng in experimental rodents |
| title_sort | pharmacokinetic variability of 20 s protopanaxadiol type ginsenosides rb1 rd and compound k from korean red ginseng in experimental rodents |
| topic | Pharmacokinetics Korean red ginseng Ginsenoside Compound k Metabolic conversion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13873-9 |
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