Ginseng other constituents

XL Other Constituents of Ginseng Roots 1. Ether Soluble Compounds... 

Further, ginseng constituents are polysaccharides, essential oil constituents, polyacetylenes, peptides, and other lipids (7). Ginseng is included in the pharmacopeias of several countries such as China, Germany, and the United Kingdom (113). Modern therapeutic claims refer to vitality, immune function, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and sexual function (114,115). More than 500 studies have been published on the pharmacological activity of ginseng (7,80). 

The blood radioactivity decreased in a triphasic manner after intravenous injection of [3H]ginsenoside Rgl to mice (Liu and Xiao, 1992). Other Chinese studies have characterized the biotransformation of ginsenoside 20(1S)-Rg2, one of the main constituents of ginseng roots and leaves. Its metabolism is complex and involves multiple hydrolysis reactions in the gastrointestinal tract. Metabolites of 20(5)-Rg2 include 20(5)-Rhl and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol. Details of the biotransformation of 20(5)-Rg2 and chemical structures of the ginsenosides are available in the cited reference (Liu and Xiao, 1992). 

Studies on the chemical constituents of Ginseng and its relatives have also shown that the characteristic dammarane saponins are found in most other Panax species as well. 

Recently, Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (Araliaceae), so-called Siberian-Ginseng , and Pfaffia paniculata (Matius) Kuntze (Acantha-ceae), so-called Brazilian-Ginseng , have been sold as health foods or for medicinal use similar to that of real Ginseng. It should be noted that the chemical constituents of these two plants are completely different from those of Ginseng and other Panax spp. and that dammarane saponins could not be detected in either of them. 

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