earticle

영어

Compound K (CK) is formed by bio-deglycosylation of major protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenosides (mainly Rb1, Rb2, Rd and Rc). Although it has never been identified in Panax plants, it is the main functional component detected in mammalian blood or organs after oral administration of ginseng or ginsenosides. It possesses remarkable bioactivities like anti-inflammation, hepatoprotection, antidiabetes and anti-cancer activities. It has even been approved by the China Food and Drug Administration to commence clinical trials for arthritis prevention and treatment. Neisseria β (1,4) galactosyltransferase, LgtB introduces galactose into glucose at its 1 position to form lactose. In the present study, we performed the in vitro enzymatic reaction of CK using UDP-D-galactose as a sugar donor and compound K as an acceptor substrate. Reaction products were analyzed by HPLC and TLC and the product was confirmed by high resolution LC-QTOF-ESI/MS, which revealed the addition of one galactose unit into compound K. This is the first study regarding the addition of galactose to protopanaxadiol type ginsenosides.