Quality Evaluation Of Panax Quinquefolium L.from Different Regions

Panax quinquefolium L.is a kind of perennial plant belonging to Araliaceae.The dried root of American ginseng has the functions of Invigorating Qi and nourishing Yin,clearing heat and promoting fluid production.American ginseng in China was introduced from the United States and Canada,therefore,China is traditionally regarded as the introduction and cultivation area of American ginseng,not its origin area.American ginseng is grown currently in four major producing areas in China including northeast China,Shandong Peninsula,Qinling region in Shaanxi and Huairou district of Beijing.American ginseng from the different growth places of China or overseas varies greatly in their appearances and price.China is one of major countries producing and consuming American ginseng,therefore,it is of economic importance to improve the quality of Chinese American ginseng and their consistency.Systematical and scientific evaluation of the quality of American ginseng from different growth places will help reveal geoherbalism essence of American ginseng and accordingly standardize the cultivation of domestic American ginseng.In this paper,the quality of American ginseng from US,Canada,Heilongjiang,Jilin,Shaanxi,Shandong and Beijing was evaluated via analysis of content of bioactive compounds and pharmacodynamics index.The corresponding experimental results were listed as follows:1.The infrared spectrum characteristics of Panax quinquefolium from seven regions were analyzed by means of mid-infrared spectroscopy.PCA showed that the quality of American ginseng in Shaanxi was similar to that in US,while those from Heilongjiang,Jilin,Shandong and Beijing were similar.2.An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method was developed for simultaneous determination of nine ginsenosides in American ginseng from seven origins.The contents of ginsenosides Rgl,Re,Rb1 and the total of nine ginsenosides were highest in Canada American ginseng;Ginsenosides Rc,Rb3 and Rg3 were highest in American ginseng from US;Rb2 and Rd were higher in American ginseng from Jilin and American ginseng from Beijing had the highest Rg2 content.PCA(principal component analysis)on the content of these nine ginsenosides revealed that the quality of American ginseng in Shaanxi was similar to that in US and those in Heilongjiang,Jilin and Shandong were similar to each other.The quality of American ginseng produced in Canada is similar to that from Beijing.3.The contents of trace elements in Panax quinquefolium roots from different habitats were determined by ICP-MS.PCA results found that the contents of trace elements of Panax quinquefolium in Canada,Heilongjiang,Jilin and Shandong were close and American ginseng produced in Shaanxi was similar to that in Beijing.4.A Co60 irradiation-induced acute aging mice model was established to evaluate the anti-aging effects of Panax quinquefolium roots from different habitats through investigation of indicators related to antioxidative capacity,immune regulation and neuroendocrine.In terms of antioxidant capacity,Beijing American ginseng had the best effect on increasing SOD and decreasing MDA,and Heilongjiang American ginseng improved GSH-PX best.Principal component analysis showed that antioxidant capacities of Canadian American ginseng and domestic ones except Jilin were better than that of the United States,which was close to that of Jilin.Beijing American ginseng was the best to improve IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels in aging mice.Principal component analysis showed that American ginseng from Heilongjiang,Shandong,Shaanxi and Beijing had the better immune regulation ability than that from U.S and the effects of American ginseng from Canada and Jilin were close;Beijing ginseng product was the best to improve GnRH,FSH,and LH levels,Shaanxi ginseng is the best in regulation of T levels,Jilin ginseng has the best effect in the regulation of hormone levels on E2.Principal component analysis showed that American ginseng of Beijing was better in the regulation of neuroendocrine hormone levels,than that of America,while American ginseng produced in Canada,Heilongjiang,Jilin,Shandong and Shaanxi was similar to that in America.5.Serum metabonomics analysis of Co60 irradiation-induced acute aging mice uncovered that in the positive ion mode,effects of American ginseng from Jilin,Shandong,Shaanxi and Beijing on metabolites of mouse were better than that from United States,while Canadian American ginseng was close to that from United States.In negative ion mode,American ginseng produced in Canada and Jilin were better than that in America,and those produced in Shandong,Shaanxi and Beijing was close to that in America.In the small molecule metabolite spectrum,36 differential metabolites related to aging,belonging to sugar metabolism,amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism were identified and mainly fatty acids,amino acids and Lysophosphatidic acid etc.This indicated that American ginseng can postpone Co60 irradiation-induced aging via regulating glucose metabolism,amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism in mice.