Cerium-Promoted Ginsenosides Accumulation by Regulating Endogenous Methyl Jasmonate Biosynthesis in Hairy Roots of Panax ginseng

Among rare earth elements, cerium has the unique ability of regulating the growth of plant cells and the biosynthesis of metabolites at different stages of plant development. The signal pathways of Ce3+-mediated ginsenosides biosynthesis in ginseng hairy roots were investigated. At a low concentration, Ce3+ improved the elongation and biomass of hairy roots. The Ce3+-induced accumulation of ginsenosides showed a high correlation with the reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as the biosynthesis of endogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ginsenoside key enzyme genes (PgSS, PgSE and PgDDS). At a Ce3+ concentration of 20 mg L−1, the total ginsenoside content was 1.7-fold, and the total ginsenosides yield was 2.7-fold that of the control. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the ROS production rate were significantly higher than those of the control. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly activated within the Ce3+ concentration range of 10 to 30 mg L−1. The activity of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) strengthened with the increasing concentration of Ce3+ in the range of 20–40 mg L−1. The Ce3+ exposure induced transient production of superoxide anion (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Together with the increase in the intracellular MeJA level and enzyme activity for lipoxygenase (LOX), there was an increase in the gene expression level of MeJA biosynthesis including PgLOX, PgAOS and PgJMT. Our results also revealed that Ce3+ did not directly influence PgSS, PgSE and PgDDS activity. We speculated that Ce3+-induced ROS production could enhance the accumulation of ginsenosides in ginseng hairy roots via the direct stimulation of enzyme genes for MeJA biosynthesis. This study demonstrates a potential approach for understanding and improving ginsenoside biosynthesis that is regulated by Ce3+-mediated signal transduction.

Simultaneous Determination of 25 Ginsenosides by UPLC-HRMS via Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents by Single Marker

A method using UPLC-HRMS has been developed for a rapid, simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of twenty-five ginsenosides. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 analytical column with an elution gradient comprising 0.1% aqueous formate/acetonitrile as the mobile phase. HRMS detection acquired full mass data for quantification and fullms-ddms2 (i.e., data-dependent scan mode) yielded product ion spectra for identification. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of multiginsenosides by single marker (QAMS) was developed and validated using a relative correction factor. Under optimal conditions, we could simultaneously separate eight groups of isomers of the 25 ginsenosides. Good linearity was observed over the validated concentration range for each analyte (r2 > 0.9924), showing excellent sensitivity (LODs, 0.003–0.349 ng/mL) and lower limit quantification (LOQs, 0.015–1.163 ng/mL). The LC-MS external standard method (ESM) and QAMS were compared and successfully applied to analyze the ginsenoside content from Panax ginseng roots. Overall, our UPLC-HRMS/QAMS approach provides high precision, stability, and reproducibility and can be used for high-throughput analysis of complex ginsenosides and quantitative analysis of multiple components and quality control of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM).

Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of American Ginseng for Different Parts and Abnormal Trait Based on the Major Ginsenoside Contents and Morphological Characteristics

The demand for American ginseng, a famous traditional medicine and high-grade healthy food, has increased dramatically over recent years. However, only the main root is popular among consumers, whereas other parts of American ginseng are rarely available in the market. In this study, the contents of 5 major ginsenosides (Re, Rc, Rg1, Rd, and Rb1) were determined through high-performance liquid chromatography. Our study showed that all these 5 major ginsenosides are found in different parts of American ginseng plants, and the total content in different parts varied significantly in the following order: fibrous root > flower > branch root > main root > leaf > stem . Interestingly, the total content in the fibrous root was approximately 2.24 times higher than that in the main root. Further research indicated that the ginsenoside content in American ginseng with abnormal characteristics (physical deformity caused by disease and discolouration) is similar to that in the normal plant. Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between the main root diameter and total ginsenoside content, whereas a negative correlation was observed between the main root length and total ginsenoside content. Our comprehensive study revealed that all parts of American ginseng, including the main root with abnormal characteristics, possess medicinal or economic value. Therefore, our results provide feasible evidence to further explore the potential application of American ginseng.

Characteristics of Panax ginseng Cultivars in Korea and China

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is one of the most important medicinal herbs in Asia. Its pharmacological activity comes from ginsenosides, and its roots are produced commercially for traditional and Oriental medicine. Though 17 Panax species are available around the world, there was a need to develop cultivars adapted to different climatic conditions and resistant to various diseases while still producing high-quality, high-yield roots. Thus, 12 and 9 commercial P. ginseng cultivars have been registered in South Korea and China, respectively. Those varieties show superiority to local landraces. For example, Chunpoong is more highly resistant to rusty rot disease than the local Jakyungjong landrace and has a good root shape; it is highly cultivated to produce red ginseng. The Chinese cultivar Jilin Huangguo Renshen has higher ginsenoside content than its local landraces. This review provides information about P. ginseng cultivars and offers directions for future research, such as intra- and interspecific hybridization.

Colchicine Mutagenesis from Long-term Cultured Adventitious Roots Increases Biomass and Ginsenoside Production in Wild Ginseng (Panax ginseng Mayer)

Panax ginseng Mayer is a perennial herb that has been used as a medicinal plant in Eastern Asia for thousands of years. The aim of this study was to enhance root biomass and ginsenoside content in cultured adventitious roots by colchicine mutagenesis. Adventitious P. ginseng roots were treated with colchicine at different concentrations (100, 200, and 300 mg·L−1) and for different durations (1, 2, and 3 days). Genetic variability of mutant lines was assessed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Ginsenoside biosynthesis gene expression, ginsenoside content, enzyme activities, and performance in bioreactor culture were assessed in four mutant lines (100–1-2, 100–1-18, 300–1-16, and 300–2-8). The results showed that ginsenoside productivity was enhanced in all mutant lines, with mutant 100–1-18 exhibiting the most pronounced increase (4.8-fold higher than the control). Expression of some ginsenoside biosynthetic enzymes was elevated in mutant lines. Enzyme activities varied among lines, and lipid peroxidation activity correlated with root biomass. All four lines were suitable for bioreactor cultivation, with mutant 100–1-18 exhibiting the highest biomass after culture scale-up. The results indicated that colchicine mutagenesis of P. ginseng roots increased biomass and ginsenosides production. This technique, and the root lines produced in this study, may be used to increase industrial yields of P. ginseng biomass and ginsenosides.

Effect of Roasting Time and Cryogenic Milling on the Physicochemical Characteristics of Dried Ginseng Powder

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reduced particle size of ginseng by roasting and cryogenic milling on increasing its water solubility and physiological activity. The samples were roasted for different times (9–21 min) and generated in different sizes (10–50, and >50 μm). All roasted samples revealed significantly smaller particle sizes than did non-roasted samples, based on Sauter mean diameter (D [3,2], p < 0.05). Furthermore, the particle sizes of roasted samples decreased until roasting up to 15 min. In terms of the water solubility index (WSI), antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content (TPC), and total polysaccharides according to particle size, 10–20 μm-sized samples showed the highest values when compared with >50 μm-sized samples. Based on roasting time, WSI values of all samples roasted for up to 15 min were higher than those of the control (not roasted) (p < 0.05). Antioxidant activity and TPC also increased with increasing roasting time. Total polysaccharide content was the highest upon roasting for 15 min, except for the 10–20 μm sample. Ginsenoside content of roasted samples >20 μm size was higher than that of the control (not roasted) except after 15 min of roasting. Therefore, roasting and cryogenic milling are effective in producing ginseng root powder.