Ginsenoside profiles and related gene expression during foliation in Panax ginseng Meyer

Abstract

Panax ginseng is one of the most important medicinal plants in Asia. Triterpene saponins, known as ginsenosides, are the major pharmacological compounds in P. ginseng. The present study was conducted to evaluate the changes in ginsenoside composition according to the foliation stage of P. ginseng cultured in a hydroponic system. Among the three tested growth stages (closed, intermediate, and opened), the highest amount of total ginsenoside in the main and fine roots was in the intermediate stage. In the leaves, the highest amount of total ginsenoside was in the opened stage. The total ginsenoside content of the ginseng leaf was markedly increased in the transition from the closed to intermediate stage, and increased more slowly from the intermediate to opened leaf stage, suggesting active biosynthesis of ginsenosides in the leaf. Conversely, the total ginsenoside content of the main and fine roots decreased from the intermediate to opened leaf stage. This suggests movement of ginsenosides during foliation from the root to the leaf, or vice versa. The difference in the composition of ginsenosides between the leaf and root in each stage of foliation suggests that the ginsenoside profile is affected by foliation stage, and this profile differs in each organ of the plant. These results suggest that protopanaxadiol- and protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type ginsenosides are produced according to growth stage to meet different needs in the growth and defense of ginseng. The higher content of PPT-type ginsenosides in leaves could be related to the positive correlation between light and PPT-type ginsenosides.

Comparison of Ginsenoside Contents in Different Parts of Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer)

“…Moreover, Rb2, Rb3, and Rg1 were only detected in the root hair, leaf, and main root, respectively. Kim et al (21) suggested that the difference of ginsenosides in the parts of Panax ginseng may be due to the movement of ginsenosides between the roots, shoots, and leaves during foliation. Although there have not been any studies investigating the movement of ginsenosides in ginseng, there is evidence for this phenomenon.…”

Biosynthesis and biotechnological production of ginsenosides

“…1). In addition, during the foliation of leaves from previous year roots, ginsenoside content of leaves become markedly increased, conversely, those in the roots decrease (Kim et al, 2014a), suggesting the dynamic movement or synthesis during each year of growth. Even though investigations have been performed to understand the mechanism of ginsenoside synthesis and distribution, the long-distance allocation of ginsenosides remains largely unknown.…”

Cytological characterization of anther development in Panax ginseng Meyer

“…At the initial stage, the aerial parts exhibit a parasol-like shape ( Fig. 1a(i), b(i); Kim et al 2014), showing unfolded leaves attached to the bending stem, and an inflorescence primordia attached to a short peduncle ( Fig. 1c(i)).…”