Biological Activities and Chemistry of Saponins from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

摘要: The roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, known as Korean have been a valuable and important folk medicine in the East Asian countries, such China, Korea Japan for about 2000 years. is derived from word “panacea”, which means cure-all diseases longevity well physical strength resistance. As use traditional Chinese herbs food supply becomes more popular western sales are increasing North America Europe other parts world. Active constituents found most species include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, polyacetylenic alcohols fatty acids. Major active components group saponins with triterpenoid dammarane structure. More than 30 ginsenosides isolated, compounds identified but new were elucidated. Pharmacological effects demonstrated cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular system, immune system central nervous including anti-stress anti-oxidant activity. We focused this review on effect diabetes, anticancer activity chemical structures ginsenosides. In addition, our recent biological study 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 also touched upon follows. Multidrug resistance (MDR) has major problem cancer chemotherapy. vitro vivo modulations MDR by (Rg3), saponin characteristic red ginseng, was investigated. flow cytometric analysis using rhodamine 123 an artificial substrate, promoted accumulation drug-resistant human fibrocarcinoma KBV 20C cells dose-dependent manner, it had no parental KB cells. Additionally inhibited [3H]-vinblastine efflux reversed to DOX (doxorubicin), COL, VCR (vincristine) VP-16 KBV20C Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction immuno-blot after exposure showed that inhibition drug due neither repression MDR1 gene expression nor P-glycoprotein (Pgp) level. Photo-affinity labeling [3H]-azidopine, however, revealed competed [3H]-azidopine binding Pgp demonstrating G-Rg3 thereby blocking efflux. Furthermore, increased life span mice implanted DOX-resistant murine leukemia P388 body weight increase significantly. Further clinical trial reversal Pgp-associated highly feasible.