title: Chemical analysis of Panax quinquefolius (North American ginseng): A review.
abstract: Panax quinquefolius (PQ) is one of the best-selling natural health products due to its proposed beneficial anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-stress, anti-fatigue, and anxiolytic effects. In recent years, the quality of PQ has received considerable attention. Sensitive and accurate methods for qualitative and quantitative analyses of chemical constituents are necessary for the comprehensive quality control to ensure the safety and efficacy of PQ. This article reviews recent progress in the chemical analysis of PQ and its preparations. Numerous analytical techniques, including spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), high-speed centrifugal partition chromatography (HSCPC), high-performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and immunoassay, are described. Among these techniques, HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) is the most promising method for quality control. The challenges encountered in the chemical analysis of PQ are also briefly discussed, and the remaining questions regarding the quality control of PQ that require further investigation are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Kyoon
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, Traditional Medicinals, Sebastopol, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Josef A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brinckmann
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China. Electronic address: lfhuang@implad.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Linfang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Chemical analysis; Ginsenosides; North American ginseng; Panax quinquefolius; Quality control; Reviews