177 Saponins, Including 11 New Compounds in Wild Ginseng Tentatively Identified via HPLC-IT-TOF-MSn, and Differences among Wild Ginseng, Ginseng under Forest, and Cultivated Ginseng

Abstract

Wild ginseng (W-GS), ginseng under forest (F-GS, planted in mountain forest and growing in natural environment), and cultivated ginseng (C-GS) were compared via HPLC-DAD and HPLC-IT-TOF-MSn. A total of 199 saponins, including 16 potential new compounds, were tentatively identified from 100 mg W-GS (177 saponins in W-GS with 11 new compounds), F-GS (56 saponins with 1 new compound), and C-GS (60 saponins with 6 new compounds). There were 21 saponins detected from all the W-GS, F-GS, and C-GS. Fifty saponins were only detected from W-GS, including 23 saponins found in ginseng for the first time. Contents of ginsenosides Re (12.36–13.91 mg/g), Rh1 (7.46–7.65 mg/g), Rd (12.94–12.98 mg/g), and the total contents (50.52–55.51 mg/g) of Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rg2, Rh1, and Rd in W-GS were remarkably higher than those in F-GS (Re 1.22–3.50 mg/g, Rh1 0.15–1.49 mg/g, Rd 0.19–1.49 mg/g, total 5.69–18.74 mg/g), and C-GS (Re 0.30–3.45 mg/g, Rh1 0.05–3.42 mg/g, Rd 0.17–1.68 mg/g, total 2.99–19.55 mg/g). Contents of Re and Rf were significantly higher in F-GS than those in C-GS (p < 0.05). Using the contents of Re, Rf, or Rb1, approximately a half number of cultivated ginseng samples could be identified from ginseng under forest. Contents of Rg1, Re, Rg2, Rh1, as well as the total contents of the seven ginsenosides were highest in ginseng older than 15 years, middle–high in ginseng between 10 to 15 years old, and lowest in ginseng younger than 10 years. Contents of Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rg2, and the total of seven ginsenosides were significantly related to the growing ages of ginseng (p < 0.10). Similarities of chromatographic fingerprints to W-GS were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for F-GS (median: 0.824) than C-GS (median: 0.745). A characteristic peak pattern in fingerprint was also discovered for distinguishing three types of ginseng. Conclusively, wild ginseng was remarkably superior to ginseng under forest and cultivated ginseng, with ginseng under forest slightly closer to wild ginseng than cultivated ginseng. The differences among wild ginseng, ginseng under forest, and cultivated ginseng in saponin compositions and contents of ginsenosides were mainly attributed to their growing ages.

Comparative analysis of microbial community structure in different times of Panax ginseng Rhizosphere microbiome and soil properties under larch forest

“…Cultivated P. ginseng under the forest, namely forest P. ginseng , is developed by sowing P. ginseng seeds into the natural environment, allowing them to grow without any artificial interference or management, and its growth usually exceeds ten years [ 40 ]. When grown in a forest, P. ginseng is more similar to wild ginseng than when it is grown in a farm [ 41 ]. Several factors such as climate change and soil properties affectplant's survival [ 42 ].…”

Optimization of Fermentation Conditions and Product Identification of a Saponin-Producing Endophytic Fungus

“…A mixed saponin standard solution with a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL was prepared, which consisted of the pseudo-ginsenoside F11, noto-ginsenoside Fe, noto-ginsenoside Ft 1 , and ginsenosides Rb 1 , Rb 2 , Rb 3 , Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg 1 , Rg 2 , Rg 3 , Rh 1 , Rh 2 , Rk 2 , CK, F1, and F2. According to the total ion chromatogram (TIC) and mass spectrum (MS) analysis of each ginsenoside in the mixed saponin standards solution, the mass-to-charge ratio M/Z, peak time, and peak area of each substance were compared and analyzed with the database to determine the type and concentration of saponins [ 28 ].…”

Combining Metabolomics and Transcriptomics to Reveal the Regulatory Mechanism of Taproot Enlargement in Panax ginseng

“…According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng has the functions of invigorating vitality, recovering pulse, nourishing the spleen and benefiting the lungs, promoting body fluid production and nourishing blood, tranquilizing the mind and improving intelligence, etc. It has an extremely high medicinal value [ 2 ]. Modern pharmacological studies have also proven that ginseng has various pharmacological effects, such as immunity-enhancing [ 3 ], anti-aging [ 4 ], anti-fatigue [ 5 ] and anti-tumor effects [ 6 ].…”