title: A prebiotic fiber increases the formation and subsequent absorption of compound K following oral administration of ginseng in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gut microflora play a crucial role in the biotransformation of ginsenosides to compound K (CK), which may affect the pharmacological effects of ginseng. Prebiotics, such as NUTRIOSE, could enhance the formation and consequent absorption of CK through the modulation of gut microbial metabolic activities. In this study, the effect of a prebiotic fiber (NUTRIOSE) on the pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside CK, a bioactive metabolite of ginsenosides, and its mechanism of action were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given control or NUTRIOSE-containing diets (control diet + NUTRIOSE) for 2 wk, and ginseng extract or vehicle was then orally administered. Blood samples were collected to investigate the pharmacokinetics of CK using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Fecal activities that metabolize ginsenoside Rb1 to CK were assayed with fecal specimens or bacteria cultures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When ginseng extract was orally administered to rats fed with 2.5%, 5%, or 10% NUTRIOSE containing diets, the maximum plasma concentration (C max) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve values of CK significantly increased in a NUTRIOSE content-dependent manner. NUTRIOSE intake increased glycosidase activity and CK formation in rat intestinal contents. The CK-forming activities of intestinal microbiota cultured in vitro were significantly induced by NUTRIOSE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results show that prebiotic diets, such as NUTRIOSE, may promote the metabolic conversion of ginsenosides to CK and the subsequent absorption of CK in the gastrointestinal tract and may potentiate the pharmacological effects of ginseng.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea ; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Natural Science, Songwon University, 73, Songamro, Nam-gu, Gwangju 503-742, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Ah
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology and College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do 426-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Hyun
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Wan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Dae-Hyung
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology and College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do 426-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Ming Ji
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Roquette Korea Ltd, 12th, FL. SamHeungYeokSam Bldg. Teheran-ro 14-gil 5, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-923, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Lim
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Roquette Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Room 501 K. Wah Centre, 1010 HuaiHaiZhong Road, Shanghai 200031, China.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Biology and Nutrition Department, Roquette Frères, Rue de la Haute Loge, Lestrem 62080, France.
authors.forename: Laetitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guerin-Deremaux
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: NUTRIOSE; Panax ginseng; compound K; ginsenoside Rb; pharmacokinetic