At least 56 closely related saponins, called
gynosaponins, have been isolated from
Gymnostemma pentaphyllum(Thunb.) Maki-
no of the gourd family, four of which (gyno-
saponins 3, 4, 8, and 12) are identical to
ginsenosides Rbl,Rb3,Rd, and Rf2.34–36
New polyacetylenic compounds isolated
from Asian ginseng include (9R,10S)-ep-
oxy-16-heptadecen-4,6-diyn-3-one, (9R,10S)-
epoxy-16-heptadecan-4,6-diyn-3-one, and
1-methoxy-(9R,10S)-epoxy-16-heptadecan-4,
6-diyn-3-one.
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
The pharmacological properties of Asian
ginseng are multiple, which are due to its
various components, notably saponins and
polysaccharides.
Asian ginseng has been reported to be an
adaptogen with numerous pharmacological
activities in humans and in laboratory animals,
including (i) qualtiy of life enhancement:
general stimulatory effect, decreasing sensi-
tivity to stress, enhancing cognitive functions,
and raising mental and physical capacity
for work;37–42(ii)protective effect: radiopro-
tection and remedial effect on radiation
sickness,43–48neuroprotective,49,50musculo-
protective,51–53 and cancer chemopreven-
tive;51,54–56 (iii)immunomodulatory/stimu-
lant: mainly due to the polysaccharides;57–70
(iv)antioxidant: in variousin vitroandin vivo
models of oxidative stress and hepatotoxici-
ty;71–77(v) antidiabetic/hypoglycemic: gin-
seng polysaccharides (especially panaxan A)
and the polypeptide lowered blood sugar in
experimentalanimals;22,26studiessuggestthat
hypoglycemic mechanisms include reducing
insulin resistance, enhancing glucose toler-
ance, lowering blood sugar level and liver
glycogen content, and altering carbohydrate
and albumin metabolism;9,37,38,78–81(vi)pri-
mary metabolism and tissue regeneration:
by promoting the biosynthesis of cholesterol,
lipid, RNA, DNA, and protein17,32,33and by
stimulating angiogenesis (ginsenosides Rb2
and Re);82,83 ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd
also potentiate nerve growth factor (JIANGSU);
(vii)aphrodisiac: ginsenosides can stimulate
the sexual response in both male and female
animals, but there are conflicting results on
theirabilitytoexhibitsexhormonaleffects,for
example, estrogenic effects;82,84,85the ginse-
nosides were also reported to increase male
copulatory behavior in rats and to enhance
fertility in human males;86,87(viii)other ef-
fects: include antagonizing the effects of
depressants such as alcohol, chloral hydrate,
opiates, and barbiturates;67,88–90 antiepilep-
tic;^91 anti-inflammatory;^92 antitumor;69,93,94
antihypetensive (ACE inhibition);95,96 and
antimicrobial.23,97,98
Some members of the ginseng saponins
produce effects directly opposed to those
produced by others, and under certain condi-
tions, ginseng acts in opposite directions
(JIANGSU).12,41,90Ginsenoside Rb1reportedly
is CNS-tranquilizing, hypotensive, antipyret-
ic, antipsychotic, and ulcer protective;^99 in-
hibits conditioned avoidance response; is
weakly anti-inflammatory; antihemolytic;
increases gastrointestinal motility; accelerates
glycolysis; and accelerates serum and
liver cholesterol, nuclear RNA, and serum
protein synthesis.6,100,101 Ginsenoside Rg1
reportedly has weak CNS-stimulant, hyper-
tensive, and antifatigue activity; aggravates
stress ulcer; and increases motor activity.
In behavioral tests, it accelerates discrimina-
tion behavior in pole-climbing tests and
Y-maze tests, a reversal learning response in
the Y-maze test, and one-trial passive avoid-
ance learning using the step-down
method.6,100,101
Conflicting results of various studies are
attributed to type of preparation, route of
administration, dosage, and presence or ab-
sence of biologically active compounds,
among other factors.6,7,100–104
Oleanolic acid has antiallergenic activities
in experimental animals (see also
ligustrum).^105
The chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology,
and therapeutics of American and Asian gin-
seng have been extensively reviewed.56,107–110332 Ginseng (Asian and American)