The major bioactive components of P. ginseng are the ginsenosides, a group of saponins with dammarane triterpenoid structure (Huang 1999). Almost 50 ginsenosides have been isolated from P. ginseng root (white and red ginsengs), and novel structures continue to be identified, particularly from Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) and Panax japonica (Japanese ginseng) as well as their berries (Gillis 1997; Yoshikawa et al. 1998; Attele et al. 2002; Christensen 2009). In this chapter, we review the structural and pharmacological properties of ginseng, and its active constituents, including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and polyacetylenic alcohols. The pharmacological and clinical usages of ginseng, particularly ginsenosides, are discussed in relation to its anticancer, antidiabetes, immunomodulatory functions, and improving CNS functions including learning, memory, and neurodegenerative diseases.
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