Ginseng and Cholinergic Transmission

Ginsenosides belong to a family of steroids and share their structural characteristics. They can traverse cell membranes freely similar to steroids. Moreover, their presence has been demonstrated within cells, particularly the nucleus. Steroid hormone action, steroids that bind nuclear receptors, are thought to affect primarily the transcription of mRNA and subsequent protein synthesis. Intracellular steroid-binding proteins present possible attractive targets for ginsenosides. 

Ginseng is a highly valued herb in the Far East and has gained popularity in the West during the last few decades. There is extensive literature on the beneficial effects of ginseng and its constituents. The major active components of ginsenosides are a diverse group of steroidal saponins (Attele et al., 1999). 

Active constituents found in most ginseng species include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, polyacetylenic alcohols, and fatty acids. There is a wide variation (2 to 20%) in the ginsenoside content of different species of ginseng. Moreover, pharmacological differences within a single species cultivated in two different locations have been reported. For example, the potency 

FIGURE 37.1 Structures of ginsenoids based on chemical structure there are two major groups (A) panaxadiols and (B) panaxatriols. 

Botulinum toxin blocks the CA2+ mediated release of acetylcholine, ginseng facilitates the release of acetylcholine 

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