THE ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS OF GINSENG One problem with earlier ginseng research is that each scientist might utilize a different quality of ginseng and there may be no data indicating the content of the material that was used. Today, there are established chemical assays to assure that ginseng used in studies is of good quality. In fact, for the purpose of scientific precision, most researchers are using standardized ginseng extracts (the amount of selected active ingredients are standardized). Nearly all ginseng researchers claim that ginseng's actions are attributable to the combined effect of its glycoside components called ginsenosides (they were previously called panaxosides). These components have a structure similar to steroid hormones, but as indicated by research cited above, they do not have a direct hormonal action; rather, they influence the production of hormones. Eleutherosides, the glycoside components found in eleuthero ginseng, generally do not have a steroid structure. There are at Ieast ten ginsenosides present in Panax ginseng and tien-chi ginseng in quantities that can have a notable physiologic effect. Eleuthero ginseng contains at least seven eleutherosides. If the ginsenosides are isolated individually and tested in laboratory animals, it is found that each has a somewhat different, and sometimes opposite effect. The balancing action of ginseng-for example, lowering blood pressure in those with hypertension and raising blood pressure in those with hypotension-is thought to be due to the complex interaction of different glycoside effects. Thus, to get the desired balancing action of ginseng, it is necessary to utilize the complete set of glycosides. Depending upon the species of ginseng and other factors, its content of glycosides ranges from about 4% to 12% (tien-chi ginseng has the highest levels). White ginseng has the lowest levels of ginsenosides because, during the drying process, enzymes in the ginseng roots break down these active ingredients. Red ginseng is prepared by a steaming process that prevents this breakdown of constituents. Ginsenoside content, both total amount and distribution amongst the different types of ginsenoside, is used as a measure of ginseng quality. Chinese researchers working with flowers of eleuthero ginseng at the Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine, demonstrated that the oil fraction had a high activity in reducing stress. Laboratory animals exposed to low oxygen environment or high levels of physical activity performed much better if they received eleuthero flower oil than if they did not. Thus, the oil components, which are different than the glycosides, may be of importance. All parts of the ginseng plant contain a small amount of oils. Furthermore, polysaccharides have been isolated from ginseng and eleuthero ginseng. These components are valuable in enhancing immune system functions. Polysaccharides of similar nature found in medicinal mushrooms such as ganoderma and shiitake, and in Chinese herbs with actions similar to ginseng such as astragalus, have all been shown to boost weakened immune responses. It is important to note that the same polysaccharides that enhance immune responses also tone down aberrant immune responses associated with autoimmune diseases. Interestingly, a plant unrelated to ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, was recently shown to contain several ginsenosides. This plant has become an important therapeutic agent in China during the 1990's, being used to help improve immune system functions in cancer patients. The clinical benefits of this herb suggests that the ginsenosides are the most important of the immune-enhancing agents ginseng. INTRODUCTION | IMMUNE SYSTEM STUDIES | THE HORMONAL SYSTEM | CARDIOVASCULAR IMPACT | THE ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS OF GINSENG | IN CONCLUSION | BIBLIOGRAPHY | APPENDIX

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