Cytotoxicity of Compound K (IH-901) and Ginsenoside R_h2, Main Biotransformants of Ginseng Saponins by Bifidobacteria, against Some Tumor Cells

When ginsenoside $R_{*}$b1/ and $R_{b2}$ were anaerobically incubated with human fecal microflora, these ginsenosides were metabolized to compound K (IH-901). When ginsenoside $R_{g3}$ was anaerobically incubated with human fecal microflora, the ginsenoside $R_{g3}$ was metabolized it to ginsenoside $R_{h2}$. Among ginsenosides, IH-901 and 20(S)-ginsenoside $R_{h2}$ exhibited the most potent cyotoxicity against tumor cells: 50% cytotoxic concentrations of IH-901 in the media with and without fetal bovine serum (FBS) were 27.1-31.6 $\mu$M and 0.1-0.61 $\mu$M, and those of 20(S)-ginsenoside $R_{h2}$ were 37.5->50 and 0.7-7.1 $\mu$M, respectively. The cytotoxic potency of ginsenosides was IH-901>20(S)-ginsenoside R $h_{h2}$》20(S)-ginsenoside $R_{g3}$>ginsenoside $R_{b1}$(equation omitted) $R_{b2}$.EX>$R_{b2}$./.