Reglid: novel glycolipids from Korean red ginseng marc

Ginseng contains ginseng saponins as well as non-saponin components. In a previous study, we introduced a bioactive glycolipoprotein complex called gintonin, which play as a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand. However, until now new ingredient(s) have not been discovered, except for gintonin. The purpose of this study is to further identify and isolate novel bioactive component(s).

In the present study, we identified the existence of a group of glycolipids using SDS-PAGE assay from Korean red ginseng marc (KRGM) extract. We isolated a group of glycolipids, named Reglid, through cation exchange chromatography and gel filtration. We analyzed Reglid and further examined in vitro Reglid biological effects on skin cell proliferation, autophagy activity, wound healing and melanin formations.

We found that Reglid is abundant in KRGM but not in white ginseng or American ginseng. Reglid is H₂O-soluble and its molecular weight (MW) is approximately 48 kDa. Biochemical analysis shows that Reglid mainly contains lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) as active ingredients, and carbohydrates. In vitro studies showed that Reglid treatment increases skin cell proliferation in human dermal fibroblasts, promotes wound healing in HaCaT cells, and enhances autophagy activity in human skin fibroblasts. Reglid treatment also inhibits melanin production by inhibiting tyrosinase activity in melanoma cells.

The present study provides a novel discovery of Reglid, a group of bioactive glycolipids containing LPC, PC, and carbohydrates derived from KRGM, and shows its potential application in cosmeceutical products for functional skin health. Finally, KRGM is a resource for KRGM-derived Reglid preparations.