Ginsenosides content standardization

Fig. 7.3 Radical scavenging activity as measured in the DPPH assay versus (a) total ginsenoside content (% w/w) and (b) total phenolics (pg quercetin per mg extract) of eight ginseng root samples (n = 3). The log IC50 of each sample was divided by the log IC50 of the standard ascorbic acid to...

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Both American and Asian ginseng are available in a wide variety of product forms, including powdered root (or leaf) as single or combination teas, capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, chewing gum, extract, and instant tea (up to 5% extract on fructose carrier). Some products are standardized to 4-7% ginsenoside content (foster). 

As mentioned, for the production of pharmaceutical products, the roots of P. ginseng are not uniform in their content of ginsenosides (markers and active ingredients of the plant) and the content of pesticides can be too high in some cases. Therefore, the use of cultivated plants (with a rational use of pesticides) and standardized extraction methods are basic to ensuring the uniformity of an extract and thus its consistent pharmacological and toxicological effect. 

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