Red American ginseng: ginsenoside constituents and antiproliferative activities of heat-processed Panax quinquefolius roots.
Red Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) is used in many Oriental countries. In this study, the saponin constituents and anticancer activities of steamed American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius L.) roots were evaluated. The contents of 12 ginsenosides in the roots were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After the steaming treatment (100 - 120 degrees C for 1 h and 120 degrees C for 0.5 - 4 h), the quantity of 7 ginsenosides decreased and that of 5 others increased. The content of ginsenoside Rg3, a previously recognized anticancer compound, increased significantly when the root was steamed at 120 degrees C for 0.5 - 3 h. The antiproliferative effects of unsteamed and steamed (120 degrees C for 1 h and 2 h) American ginseng root extracts were assayed by the modified trichrome stain (MTS) method using three cancer cell lines (SW-480, HT-29, NSCLC). Heat-processing increased the antiproliferative effect of American ginseng significantly, and the activity of the extract from roots steamed for 2 h was greater than that of roots steamed for 1 h. Chemical constituents and antiproliferative activities of white and red Asian ginseng have also been evaluated. Five representative ginsenosides, Rb1, Rd, Re, Rg2 and Rg3, were studied. Ginsenoside Rg3 had the most potent effect. The antiproliferative activities of red American ginseng are augmented when ginsenoside Rg3 is increased.
Wang
Chong-Zhi
CZ
Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Aung
Han H
HH
Ni
Ming
M
Wu
Ji-An
JA
Tong
Robin
R
Wicks
Sheila
S
He
Tong-Chuan
TC
Yuan
Chun-Su
CS
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D036145:Ginsenosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; C097367:ginsenoside Rg3