Chemical characteristics for different parts of Panax notoginseng using pressurized liquid extraction and HPLC-ELSD

The chemical characteristics for different parts of Panax notoginseng, including root, fibre root, rhizome, stem, leaf, flower and seed, were determined using high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). Eight major saponins, namely notoginsenoside R1, ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd were also quantitatively compared among the different parts of P. notoginseng. The chromatograms showed that there was significant difference between underground (root, fibre root, rhizome) and aerial (leaf and flower) parts from P. notoginseng, though the similarities of entire chromatographic patterns among tested samples from underground (0.965 ± 0.029, n = 12) and aerial parts (0.987 ± 0.014, n = 5) were similar, respectively. Especially, no saponin was detected in the seed of P. notoginseng. Hierarchical clustering analysis based on eight investigated saponins or the ratios of contents for ginsenoside Rg1/Rb1 and ginsenoside Rb3/Rb1 showed that the samples from different parts of P. notoginseng were divided into three main clusters. One cluster was underground parts, which contained rich protopanaxatriol and protopanaxadiol types saponins. The leaf and flower were in the same cluster, which contained protopanaxadiol type saponins only. Especially, ginsenoside Rc, Rb2 and Rb3, rare in the underground parts, were rich in aerial parts of P. notoginseng. The stem of P. notoginseng was another cluster. Based on the cluster analysis, the chemical characteristics for different parts of P. notoginseng were revealed. They are composite cluster (underground parts), protopanaxadiol cluster (aerial parts) and interim (stem) cluster, which was the one between the two typical clusters, respectively. The result shows that chemical characteristics of underground parts and aerial parts from P. notoginseng are obviously different, which is helpful for pharmacological evaluation and quality control of P. notoginseng.     

Simultaneous determination of nucleobases, nucleosides and saponins in Panax notoginseng using multiple columns high performance liquid chromatography

A new multiple columns HPLC method for simultaneous determination of 16 characteristic components, 5 nucleobases and nucleosides (uracil, cytidine, uridine, guanosine and adenosine), and 11 saponins (notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, notoginsenoside R4, notoginsenoside Fa, ginsenoside Rb1, notoginsenoside R2, ginsenoside Rg2, ginsenoside Rh1, ginsenoside Rd and notoginsenoside K), in the root of Panax notoginseng, a valued traditional Chinese medicinal herb, were developed. Notoginsenoside R4, Fa and K were first quantitatively determined in P. notoginseng. The 5 nucleobases and nucleosides compounds were separated on a Zorbax SB-Aq column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5.0 μm) and 11 saponins were analyzed using a Zorbax Bonus-RP column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5.0 μm) with column switching. The column temperature was set at 30 °C. Mobile phase was composed of 5 mM ammonium acetate aqueous (A), water (B) and acetonitrile (C) using a gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.5 mL/min and detection wavelengths were set at 260 nm for nucleobases and nucleosides, and 203 nm for saponins. The developed method had good repeatability and sensitivity for quantification of 16 analytes with overall precision (including intra- and inter-day) less than 3% (RSD), and LOD and LOQ were less than 1.33 μg/mL and 5.12 μg/mL, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of 16 analytes in 15 samples of P. notoginseng collected from different places of China, which indicated that multiple columns HPLC can be used for comprehensive quality control of P. notoginseng.     

Transformation of ginseng saponins to ginsenoside rh<Subscript>2</Subscript> by acids and human intestinal bacteria and biological activities of their transformants

When ginseng water extract was incubated at 60 degrees C in acidic conditions, its protopanaxadiol ginsenosides were transformed to ginsenoside Rg3 and delta20-ginsenoside Rg3. However, protopanaxadiol glycoside ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2 and Rc isolated from ginseng were mostly not transformed to ginsenoside Rg3 by the incubation in neutral condition. The transformation of these ginsenosides to ginsenoside Rg3 and delta20-ginsenoside Rg3 was increased by increasing incubation temperature and time in acidic condition: the optimal incubation time and temperature for this transformation was 5 h and 60 degrees C resepectively. The transformed ginsenoside Rg3 and delta20-ginsenoside Rg3 were metabolized to ginsenoside Rh2 and delta20-ginsenoside Rh2, respectively, by human fecal microflora. Among the bacteria isolated from human fecal microflora, Bacteroides sp., Bifidobacterium sp. and Fusobacterium sp. potently transformed ginsenoside Rg3 to ginsenoside Rh2. Acid-treated ginseng (AG) extract, fermented AG extract, ginsenoside Rh2 and protopanaxadiol showed potent cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines. AG extract, fermented AG extract and protopanaxadiol potently inhibited the growth of Helicobacter pylori.     

A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of 11 saponins in Panax notoginseng using ultra performance liquid chromatography

A rapid ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with photo diode array detection method (UPLC-PDA) was developed for the simultaneous determination of 11 saponins, namely notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rg2, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd and Rg3 in Panax notoginseng. The analysis was performed on Acquity UPLC system with Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column and gradient elution of water and acetonitrile in 12 min. The high correlation coefficient (r(2)>0.9968) values indicated good correlations between the investigated compounds' concentrations and their peak areas within the test ranges. The LOQ and LOD were lower to 0.2-2.4 and 0.1-1.8 ng on column, respectively. The overall intra- and inter-day variations (R.S.D.) of 11 saponins were lower than 3.1%. The developed method was successfully used for the analysis of saponins in P. notoginseng with overall recovery of 93.0-101.6% for the analytes. The results show that UPLC is a powerful tool for analysis of components in Chinese medicines.     

三七根、叶、花皂甙对麻醉犬血流动力学的影响

本文研究了三七根、叶、花总甙及三七皂甙C₁和E₁对麻醉犬血流动力学的作用。结果表明:根总甙明显降低动脉血压和总外周阻力,增加心输出量和减慢心率,降低心肌耗氧指数。根总甙中含量最多的单体皂甙C₁(即人参皂甙Rg₁)可使血压短时下降,但LV dp/dt_max和心输出量显著增加,伴总外周阻力明显下降。叶总甙及其含量较多的皂甙E₁(即人参皂甙Rb₁)对上述指标均无明显影响。花总甙的作用温和短暂。这些结果提示三七根皂甙是心血管药理作用的活性成分,地上部分皂甙无明显心血管作用,且毒性较大。     

Asian ginseng enhances the anti-proliferative effect of 5-fluorouracil on human colorectal cancer: Comparison between white and red ginseng

Previous studies showed that Asian ginseng, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, may have anti-cancer properties. However, there is limited data exploring the use of Asian ginseng as an adjuvant to chemotherapy, and minimal mechanistic studies related to their possible synergistic activities. In this study, the content of 8 ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1 and Rg3, in the extracts of white ginseng (WG) and red ginseng (RG) were determined by HPLC. Using HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells, we compared the efficacy of WG and RG. We evaluated the synergy between ginseng and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and explored the mechanism of their anti-proliferative effects. As single extract, WG or RG used at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL, inhibited HCT-116 cell proliferation in a concentration-related manner. WG at 0.2 mg/mL did not show obvious synergy with 5-FU co-treatment, while RG at 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL significantly enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of 5-FU at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 μM (P < 0.05). Using flow cytometric assay, RG 0.3 mg/mL did not affect cancer cell apoptotic induction activity. However, the RG induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, while 5-FU arrested the cell in the S phase. Different ginsenoside profiles are responsible for the observed differences in pharmacological effects. The effects of 8 ginsenosides on HCT-116 cells were assayed. Rd and Rg3 showed positive anti-proliferative effect. Our data suggested a potential for RG as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer, via a synergistic action.     

三七有效成分提取工艺的比较研究

目的：研究三七有效成分的最佳提取工艺。方法：采用水煎煮法、乙醇回流法、超声提取法提取,用超滤法和大孔吸附树脂进行分离,以不同提取方法得到提取物中三七总皂苷、人参皂苷Rb1、Rg1的含量为考察指标。结果：最佳提取工艺为：75％的乙醇超声提取3次,每次2h。结论：经优选得到最佳提取工艺,有效成分含量高,工艺简便。     

一测多评法同步测定人参和三七药材中多种人参皂苷的含量

通过建立人参皂苷Rb₁与其他8种皂苷间的紫外相对校正因子(RCF)，实现只用一个对照品测定人参和三七药材中多个人参皂苷类成分的含量，以解决人参等药材质量控制中，对照品供应不足问题。结果表明，在一定的线性范围内，人参皂苷Rb₁与Rg₁、 Re、 Rf、 Rh₁、 Rc、 Rb₂、 Rb₃、 Rd间的RCF值分别为1.400， 1.215， 1.517， 1.801， 0.944， 1.012， 1.143， 1.135，且在不同实验条件下重现性良好(RSD=0.30%～3.9%)。本方法只需测定人参和三七药材中Rb₁的含量，其余人参皂苷含量由其RCF值计算得到，实现一测多评；并与常规外标法比较，两种药材中一测多评法与外标法所得结果均无显著性差异；所建立的校正因子可同时用于人参及三七药材及其相关产品的定量分析及质量评价。     

Chemico-pharmacological studies on saponins of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. II. Pharmacological part.

The pharmacological properties of seven pure saponins isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer were studied. 1. The ginseng saponins showed weak toxicities in mice. Especially, Rg1, Rf and Rb 1, which contained glucose as a sugar component, were weaker in their toxicities than the rest, which contained arabinose and/or rhamnose. It was also noted that the saponins containing protopanaxadiol as sapogenin were more toxic than those containing protopanaxatriol. 2. All the saponins diminished ACh-induced contraction of the isolated ileum of the guinea pig. On the other hand high concentrations of Rb 2 caused contraction of the ileum by itself. 3. All of the saponins induced a decrease in heart rate and showed biphasic actions on the blood pressure in rats, while they little affected respiration. They caused blood pressure fall preceded by slight rise. Among them, Rg 1 showed the most prominent action and it produced a blood pressure rise with doses of 30 to 100 mg/kg. The pressor as well as depressor action was not influenced by the pretreatment with any of atropine, diphenhydramine, phentolamine and propranolol. 4. Rg 1 and Re showed vasodilator action in dogs, the potencies of which were 1/20 and 1/50 of that of papaverine, respectively. Rc and Rb 2 showed very weak vasodilator actions but Rb 1 did not. 5. Among the 7 saponins, Rd, Re and Rb 2 showed more potent hemolytic actions than those of the rest and the potencies were proportional to their toxicities. 6. Whereas single administration of Rf, Re and Rd significantly suppressed the conditioned avoidance response, repeated administration of them caused facilitation of the response. On the other hand, Rb 2 always showed very weak suppressant action. 7. Rg 1, Rf, Re and Rd significantly suppressed the fighting of mice induced by foot shock, while Rb 1, Rb 2 and Re little affected the fighting. 8. All the saponins showed antifatigue action. They markedly increased the movement after compulsory gait and the action was consistent and independent of their action on the movement before compulsory gait. 9. The saponins showed moderate depressant actions on the EEG and the behavior in cats. They were qualitatively similar in their actions, although Rg 1, Re and Rb 2 were more potent than the rest. They also suppressed EEG arousal response induced by electrical stimulation of the mid brain in cats.     

Studies on the preparation,crystal structure and bioactivity of ginsenoside compound K

Microbial transformation of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) using Aspergillus niger afforded, as the main metabolite, ginsenoside compound K (20-O-β-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol). Its structure was determined spectroscopically and by X-ray analysis, and this is the first time the crystal structure of ginsenoside has been reported. In comparison with ginsenoside Rb1, the pro-drug for this metabolite, compound K exhibits potent cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines. The mean concentrations of compound K needed to inhibit the proliferation of cells by 50% (IC₅₀) were 12.7, 11.4, 8.5 and 9.7 μM for mouse high-metastatic melanoma (B16-BL6), human hepatoma (HepG2), human myeloid leukemia (K562) and human high-metastatic lung carcinoma (95-D) cell lines, respectively. The data show that ginsenoside compound K is a good antitumor drug candidate.     

三七总皂苷和灯盏花素单用与联用时主要成分的药动学比较

目的考察三七总皂苷(主要成分为三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1、人参皂苷Re、人参皂苷Rb1、人参皂苷Rd)和灯盏花素(主要成分为野黄芩苷)复方粉针制剂在健康比格犬体内的药动学,并与单独使用三七总皂苷粉针或灯盏花素粉针时的药动学参数进行比较。方法建立检测给药后不同时间点的比格犬血样中三七总皂苷各组分及野黄芩苷浓度的液相色谱-串联质谱联用(LC-MS/MS)方法,计算各成分的药动学参数。结果单次给予复方粉针后,三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1、人参皂苷Re、人参皂苷Rb1、人参皂苷Rd及野黄芩苷的血浆消除半衰期(t1/2)分别为(1.08±0.30),(0.95±0.16),(1.40±0.39),(51.08±10.42),(64.84±17.70)及(2.00±0.88)h;峰浓度(Cmax)分别为(4641.00±758.84),(11325.00±1418.62),(1822.00±253.37),(39380.00±5644.03),(12964.00±2738.41)及(2669.00±841.79)ng·mL-1;血药浓度-时间曲线下面积(AUC0-∞)分别为(2832.31±308.38),(3454.00±473.08),(1210.80±161.06),(1360410.90±277244.88),(320529.65±101345.47),(450.68±90.50)ng·mL-1·h。与三七总皂苷粉针或灯盏花素粉针单次给药相比,复方粉针单次给药后,血药浓度-时间曲线相似;三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1、人参皂苷Re、人参皂苷Rd的Cmax显著升高(P<0.05);人参皂苷Rb1和野黄芩苷Cmax差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);t1/2、AUC0-∞差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论三七总皂苷粉针和灯盏花素粉针联合用药可提高三七总皂苷部分组分的Cmax,对野黄芩苷的药动学没有明显影响。     

Ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm through inactivation of the JNK and p38 signaling pathways

BackgroundAbdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a life-threatening vascular disease, accounts for approximately 10% of the morbidity in people over 65 years old. No satisfactory approach is available to treat AAA. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 are primary ingredients of Panax notoginseng for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, but their impact on AAA is unknown.Methods and resultsAn AAA model was established using an Ang II infusion in ApoE^−/− mice. After continuous stimulation of Ang II for 28 days, suprarenal aortic aneurysms developed in 77% mice and 12% mice died suddenly due to AAA rupture. Administration of ginsenoside Rb1 (20 mg/kg/day), but not ginsenoside Rg1, significantly reduced the incidence and mortality of AAA. Ginsenoside Rb1 treatment dramatically suppressed Ang II-induced diameter enlargement, extracellular matrix degradation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production, inflammatory cell infiltration, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction. Mechanistic studies indicated that the protective effects of ginsenoside Rb1 were associated with the inactivation of JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. A specific activator of JNK and p38, anisomycin, nearly abolished ginsenoside Rb1-driven suppression of MMP secretion by VSMCs.ConclusionsGinsenoside Rb1, as a potential anti-AAA agent, suppressed AAA through inhibiting the JNK and p38 signaling pathways.     

Effects of ginsenosides on GABAA receptor channels expressed in xenopus oocytes

Ginsenosides, major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, are known to regulate excitatory ligand-gated ion channel activity such as nicotinic acetylcholine and NMDA receptor channel activity. However, it is not known whether ginsenosides affect inhibitory ligand-gated ion channel activity. We investigated the effect of ginsenosides on human recombinant GABA(A) receptor (alpha1beta1gamma2S) channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes using a two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Among the eight individual ginsenosides examined, namely, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1 and Rg2, we found that Rc most potently enhanced the GABA-induced inward peak current (I(GABA)). Ginsenoside Rc alone induced an inward membrane current in certain batches of oocytes expressing the GABA(A) receptor. The effect of ginsenoside Rc on I(GABA) was both dose-dependent and reversible. The half-stimulatory concentration (EC50) of ginsenoside Rc was 53.2 +/- 12.3 microM. Both bicuculline, a GABA(A) receptor antagonist, and picrotoxin, a GABA(A) channel blocker, blocked the stimulatory effect of ginsenoside Rc on I(GABA). Niflumic acid (NFA) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), both Cl- channel blockers, attenuated the effect of ginsenoside Rc on I(GABA). This study suggests that ginsenosides regulated GABA(A) receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes and implies that this regulation might be one of the pharmacological actions of Panax ginseng.     

Simultaneous determination of seven saponins in the roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Codonopsis lanceolata</Emphasis> by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

We developed a rapid and simple analytical method for the simultaneous determination of seven 3,28-bidesmosidic triterpenoid saponins in the roots of Codonopsis lanceolata. The saponins are lancemaside A, lancemaside B, lancemaside C, lancemaside E, lancemaside G, foetidissimoside A, and aster saponin Hb. Root samples were extracted with 50% methanol and prepared for analysis. Saponins were detected by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and ginsenoside Rb₁ was used as an internal standard. The overall recoveries of all saponins were 92–116%, and the relative standard deviation values of intra- and inter-day precision were lower than 3.7 and 7.7%, respectively. Eight root samples collected from Korea and Japan were analyzed using the developed method. Lancemaside A was the most abundant saponin in the root samples from Korea, ranging from 2.65 to 3.64 mg/g dry root. However, the maximum content of lancemaside A among Japanese samples was 0.101 mg/g dry root.     

Abeta(25-35)-induced memory impairment, axonal atrophy, and synaptic loss are ameliorated by M1, A metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type saponins.

We previously screened neurite outgrowth activities of several Ginseng drugs in human neuroblastoma, and demonstrated that protopanaxadiol (ppd)-type saponins were active constituents. Since ppd-type saponins are known to be completely metabolized to 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (M1) by intestinal bacteria when taken orally, M1 and ginsenoside Rb1, as a representative of ppd-type saponins, were examined for cognitive disorder. In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by Abeta(25-35) i.c.v. injection, impaired spatial memory was recovered by p.o. administration of ginsenoside Rb1 or M1. Although the expression levels of phosphorylated NF-H and synaptophysin were reduced in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus of Abeta(25-35)-injected mice, their levels in ginsenoside Rb1- and M1-treated mice were almost completely recovered up to control levels. Potencies of the effects were not different between ginsenoside Rb1 and M1 when given orally, suggesting that most of the ginsenoside Rb1 may be metabolized to M1, and M1 is an active principal of ppd-type saponins for the memory improvement. In cultured rat cortical neurons, M1 showed extension activity of axons, but not dendrites. The axon-specific outgrowth was seen even when neuritic atrophy had already progressed in response to administration of Abeta(25-35) as well as in the normal condition. These results suggest that M1 has axonal extension activity in degenerated neurons, and improve memory disorder and synaptic loss induced by Abeta(25-35). M1 was shown to be effective in vitro and in vivo, indicating that Ginseng drugs containing ppd-type saponins may reactivate neuronal function in AD by p.o. administration.     

三七茎叶研究进展

三七茎叶是五加科人参属三七[Panax notoginseng(Burk.)F.H.Chen]的干燥茎叶,是三七的副产物.现代研究表明,三七茎叶中含有多种活性成分和营养物质,如:皂苷类、黄酮类、维生素、氨基酸等;药理作用多样,具有抗焦虑,抗抑郁,抗骨质疏松,抗糖尿病,抗癌,保肝,抗衰老、预防肥胖等.目前,对三七茎叶化学...     

New staining methodology: Eastern blotting for glycosides in the field of Kampo medicines

Ginsenosides separated by silica gel TLC blotted to a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane treated with a NaIO₄ solution followed by bovine serum albumin (BSA) resulted in a ginsenoside–BSA conjugate on a PVDF membrane. The blotted spot were stained by antiginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) and Rg1 (GRg1) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The newly established immunostaining method, Eastern blotting, was applied for the determination of ginsenosides possessing protopanaxadiol and/or protopanaxatriol in the Kampo medicines. In this method, we developed a new way to separate the ginsenoside molecule into two functional parts using a simple and well-known chemical reaction. The sugar parts were oxidized by sodium periodate to give dialdehydes, which reacted with amino groups of the protein and covalently bound to the adsorbent PVDF membrane. The MAb bound to the aglycone part of the ginsenoside molecule for immunostaining. Double staining of Eastern blotting for ginsenosides using anti-GRb1 and GRg1 MAbs promoted complete identification of ginsenosides in Panax species. This method was validated for immunocytolocalization of ginsenosides in fresh ginseng root. In addition, Eastern blotting for the detection of glycyrrhizin (GC) was also investigated. GC can be clearly determined by Eastern blotting in the Glycyrrhiza species. It is also possible for GC in rat serum to be surveyed by Eastern blotting by simple pretreatment as a further application.     

三七皂苷中人参皂苷Rg1与Rb1口服吸收及其体内药代动力学的研究和比较

分别考察三七总皂苷(PNS)在大鼠灌胃和静脉给药后的人参皂苷Rg₁(Rg₁)、人参皂苷Rb₁(Rb₁)的胆汁排泄；采用平衡透析法测定药物的血浆蛋白结合率；并结合药代动力学的实验结果，研究和比较Rg₁与Rb₁的口服吸收及其体内药代动力学性质。结果表明，静脉给药后10 h，Rg₁及Rb₁胆汁排泄累积量分别为给药剂量的(61.48±18.30)%和(3.94±1.49)%；灌胃给药后12 h，Rg₁及Rb₁胆汁排泄累积量分别为给药剂量的(0.91±0.51)%和(0.055±0.02)%。Rg₁及Rb₁的血浆蛋白结合率分别为6.56%～12.74%和80.11%～89.69%。Rg₁的胃、肠和肝的通过率(F_S，F_I和F_H)分别为49.85%，13.05%和50.56%；Rb₁分别为25.82%，4.18%和65.77%。因此，肠壁吸收差是Rg₁和Rb₁生物利用度低的主要原因。Rg₁具有较高的胆汁排泄和较低的血浆蛋白结合率，Rb₁的胆汁排泄较低，而血浆蛋白结合率较高。Rb₁的肠黏膜透过性和体内消除速度都低于Rg₁，但前者的平均滞留时间(MRT)和血药浓度曲线下面积(AUC)均大于后者。     

Simultaneous determination of nine saponins from Panax notoginseng using HPLC and pressurized liquid extraction

A HPLC and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) method was developed for simultaneous determination of nine saponins, including notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd in Panax notoginseng. The analysis was performed on C18 column with water-acetonitrile gradient elution and the investigated saponins were authenticated by comparing retention time and mass spectra with their reference compounds. Several methods including PLE, ultrasonication, soxhlet extraction and immersion were used for sample preparation and their extraction efficiency was compared. The results showed that PLE has the highest extraction efficiency and repeatability, which would be valuable on standardization of sample preparation for quality control of Chinese medicines. The developed HPLC and PLE is an effective approach for simultaneously quantitative determination of sapoinins in P. notoginseng, which could be used for quality control of P. notoginseng and its preparations.     

Biomass and content of ginsenosides and polyacetylenes in American ginseng roots can be increased without affecting the profile of bioactive compounds

Fifty selected roots from a 7-year-old American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) plant population grown in Denmark, with root weights varying from 191 to 490 g fresh weight (FW), were investigated for bioactive ginsenosides and polyacetylenes (PAs) in order to determine the correlation between the content of ginsenosides and PAs and root FW. PAs (falcarinol, panaxydol) and ginsenosides (Rb₁, Rb₂, Rb₃, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg₁) were extracted from roots by sequential extraction with ethyl acetate and 80% methanol, respectively, and quantified in extracts by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using photodiode array detection. Total concentrations of PAs and ginsenosides varied between 150 and 780 mg/kg FW and 5,920 and 15,660 mg/kg FW, respectively. No correlation existed between the content of ginsenosides and PAs and root FW or between the total concentration of ginsenosides and PAs. Strong significant correlation was found between total content of ginsenosides and ginsenoside Rb₁ (r = 0.8190, P < 0.0001) and between total content of PAs and falcarinol (r = 0.9904, P < 0.0001). Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that it is possible to select large American ginseng roots for increased biomass production and concentration of bioactive ginsenosides and PAs without affecting the profile of bioactive compounds. Ginsenoside Rb₁ and falcarinol were found to be important selection parameters for identifying superior genotypes with the highest content of bioactive compounds.