title: Phytochemistry of wild populations of Panax quinquefolius L. (North American ginseng).
abstract: A survey of the phytochemistry of Panax quinquefolius L. (North American ginseng) collected from wild populations in Ontario, Quebec, Maine, Vermont, and Wisconsin was undertaken. Reverse-phase HPLC was used to determine the natural variation of levels of ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd and their total in leaf, stem, and root of authentic wild-grown material. The totals in roots varied from 1 to 16%, with the greatest number of individual samples having 4-5% total ginsenosides. The lack of ginsenoside Rf in roots of authentic wild populations confirmed its status as a phytochemical marker differentiating American and Asian ginseng. Ten geographically isolated wild populations were collected, and several showed significant variation in the levels of major ginsenosides. There was no statistical difference in mean ginsenoside content between wild and cultivated P. quinquefolius roots at 4 years of age, suggesting there is no phytochemical justification for wild crafting. Baseline data on total ginsenoside levels for authentic wild P. quinquefolius reported here provide reference levels for quality assurance programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Street, P.O. Box 450, Station A, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
authors.forename: Valerie A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Assinewe
authors.forename: Bernard R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.forename: J Thor
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Arnason
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000032:analysis*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides