Chemistry and Biological Activities of Selected Popular Chinese Herbs in the US Market-5A - 農業知識入口網

5. Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. May)

A. Chemical components

The chemistry of ginseng has been extensively studied, and the main components include saponins and polysaccharides (57-59).

1. Saponins: about 30 saponins have been purified from the root of ginseng with Ginsenoside, Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rd and Rf as the major saponins (structures are shown in Figure 4) have been identified in root extracts.


2. Sterols: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol were present.


3. Polyalkynes: heptadeca-1-en-4,6-diyne-3,9,10-triol, panaxynol, panaxynol, panaxydol, and panaxytriol, ginsenoynes A, B, C, D and E have been identified.


4. Fatty acids: linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid were present.


5. Amino acids.


6. Peptides.


7. Polysaccharides.