Saponins of P. ginseng Leaves and Flower Buds

Flower buds of P. ginseng are usually removed before ripening for the better growth of roots. Rbi, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rgi and F3 were isolated from the flower buds in yields of 0.2, 0.2, 0.2, 0.5, 2.8, 0.2 and 0.03%, respectively, whereas the fruits gave Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re and Rg in yields of 0.2, 0.1, 0.1, 6.0 and 0.04% (55, 110). In addition to these saponins, a new dammarane saponin named ginsenoside-M7cd with an oxygenated side chain was isolated in 0.0039% yield from the flower buds as a minor saponin its structure was elucidated by C-NMR spectrometry as shown in Chart 13 (55). 

It is noteworthy that the yield of saponins based on (36) from the aerial parts is higher than the yield from the roots the isolation of Re from the flower buds in such yield indicates the potential use of these parts as a source of this saponin. The total saponin content in the stems was found to be less than 0.5% (see Table X). 

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