1.
Chemical Constituents
of American Ginseng
American Ginseng (AG), the dried root of Panax
quinquefolius Linn of Araliaceae family, contains mainly six classes
of natural constituents as follows:
a.
Ginsenosides: The
content of ginsenosides in dried ginseng is about 6~8% Ginsenosides,
which are the most important and effective fraction of AG, contain
following compounds: ginsenoside-Ro, -RAo, -Rb1, -Rb2, -Rb3, -Rc,
-Rd, -Re, -Rots, -Rg1, -Rg2, -Rg3, -Rh1, -Rh2, etc.
Among these ginsenosides
– RAo is a characteristic compound occurring only in American ginseng.
b. Ginseng polysaccharides, Ca 30 %.
c.
Volatile oil: there
are thirty-three of compounds, including α –elemene, in the volatile
oil which is the odorant of ginseng.
d.
Polypeptides and
amino acids, e.g. arginine, histidine, lysine, lencine, etc.
e. Inorganic elements: such as phosphorous, potassium, surfor, magnesium,
calcium, iron, copper, and germanium.
f.
Other constituents:
such as β- Sitosterol, docosterin, organic acids, vitamins, guanine
and adenine.
2.
Pharmacological Effects
a. Tonic
effect: AG has anti-fatigue effect. It can strengthen bodies. So it
is used for treatment of fatigue caused by works, sports and studies.
It is a restorative after great fatigue.
b. Enhancement
of memory and learning abilities: Ginseng improves cerebral nutrition
and brain nervous transmission, enhance memory and learning ability.
It is used for treatment of senile dementia and amnesia.
c. Anti-
aging effect: Ginseng has antioxidant activity. It increases SOD level
in serum and tissues, decreases lipid peroxide and free oxygen radicals.
It is used for longevity.
d.
Immunomodulant activity: Ginseng
supports natural killer cells and enhances the production of antibodies
and interferon. It has immonomodulant activity. It is used for improvement
of healthy condition of Aids and cancer patients.
e.
Anti-stress
and adaptogenic effect, ginseng can prevent stress- induced ulers.
f. Anti-blood platelet aggregation: Ginseng has activity against blood
platelet aggregation. It is used for prevention and treatment of thrombus,
such as cerebral thrombus.
g. Anti-arrhythmic activity.
h. Improvement of cardiovascular system; Ginseng reduces serum cholesterol,
triglyceride. It is used for treatment and prevention of arteriosclerosis
and heart attack.
i.
Anti-cancer
activity: Ginseng, especially ginsenoside -Rh2 and -Rg3 has anti-cancer
activity, so it is used for treatment of cancer patients.
j. Hypoglycemic activity: Ginseng has insulin- secretion- promoting activity
and therefore it reduces glucose level in serum. It is used for treatment
of phase II diabetes.
k.
Detoxification:
Ginseng relieves alcoholic intoxication by acetifying alcohol and
aldehyde dehydrogenises in liver. Ginseng reduces the toxicity of
hydrocortisone, Prednisone, Prednisolone and some anticancer drugs,
such as cyclophosphamide.
l. Liver Protestant Activity.
m.
Radioprotective Effect:
Ginseng is used for radiation illness.
n. Skin Regeneration and Anti-wrinkling Effect.
o. Enhancement of Sex Ability: Ginseng increased sperm counts and enhanced
sex ability. It is used for sex degeneration.
3. Family Processing and Administration
1) Processing
a)
Pulverize ginseng into
power which can be orally taken directly or the powder can be formulated
into capsules for oral administration.
b) Cut ginseng into slides and simmer in water to take, or keep slide
it mouth.
c)
Pickle slides in wine to
take.
d)
Stewed ginseng with chicken.
2) Administration
Oral Administration, 1~3 g a time, 2 or 3 times a day.
