Analysis of Nonpolar Components from Ginseng of Different Ages

Abstract

Nonpolar components from ginseng of different ages were extracted and analysed using a GC-MS technique to determine their chemical compositions. In total, 23 ingredients, mostly aliphatic compounds, were identified. The compounds extracted included 10,12-octadecadiynoic acid (12.81% -36.43%), falcarinol (4.95% -36.79%), n-hexadecanoic acid (0.60% -9.70%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester (0.33% -5.63%), 5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12-diol (0.97% -3.85%), (Z)-9-octadecenamide (2.66% -5.38%) and (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (0.46% -5.27%). The two major diyne compositions, falcarinol (8) and 10,12-octadecadiynoic acid (12), were the predominant components (over 50%) of the nonpolar extract of older ginseng. Moreover, the 10,12-octadecadiynoic acid obviously accumulated as the ginseng grew. Sitosterol, a universal metabolite in higher plants, makes up 55.80% of the content of 6-year-old ginseng, but markedly decreases in older ginseng. There was not much difference between the extracts of 8, 10, 12 and 16-year ginsengs, but the extracts of 6-year-old ginseng were distinctive.

Delayed luminescence: an experimental protocol for Chinese herbal medicines

“…At present, the chemical changes of herbal medicines are typically measured by tools such as liquid chromatography and gas chromatography . Chemical analysis is the method of choice to estimate the content of specific substances (either as medical or toxic substance) of herbal materials.…”

Lipids in Ginseng (Panax ginseng) and Their Analysis

“…Fatty acids with 12-24 atoms of carbon were identified, with C18:2 as the predominant component, followed by C16:0, C18:1, and C18:3. Zhang et al 24 also detected C16:0 and C18:2 from 70% ethanol extract of P. ginseng by GC-MS equipped with HP-5ms.…”

“…45 Zhang et al 24 reported that the highest sitosterol content was observed in 6-year-old ginseng, but the levels dramatically decreased in older ginseng.…”

“…For the fatty amide analysis, dried ginseng powder was soaked with 70% ethanol, and then dried extract was partitioned with distilled water and chloroform. 24 The chloroform extract was analyzed by using GC-MS equipped with HP-5ms column.…”

Effects of Root Extracts from <i>Panax ginseng</i> C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) of Different Ages on K562 Cells

“…However, our experimental data showed that the cell viability of all GRE groups significantly higher than that of control group from the 32-hour point to the 48-hour point, meaning that GRE increased rather than inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells. One of the possible reasons is that except for ginsenosides and polysaccharides, there are some nonpolar chemical constituents in the GRE, such as polyacetylenes [8], flavonones and fatty acids, which might contribute to the effects of ginseng [1,2]. In this study, these other constituents account for a high percentage in the GRE (from 30.06% to 63.48%, Table 2) and possibly lead to the strong proliferation on K562 cells or change the combined effects via antagonism and/or synergy [9].…”