Wild ginseng grows in Myanmar

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2003 Jun;51(6):679-82. doi: 10.1248/cpb.51.679.

Abstract

Ginseng, the underground parts of plants of Panax species, has been used in oriental traditional medicine for centuries. Unfortunately, because of extensive exploitation over thousands of years, the natural source of these species has been almost exhausted. Recently, we have found a wild ginseng growing in Myanmar. Here, by a combination of chemical composition study and gene sequence analysis, we unambiguously demonstrate that the wild ginseng is actually P. zingiberensis, commonly known as ginger ginseng. This ginseng was an indigenous to the southwestern China. However, now it is seriously threatened to brink of extinction and is put on the highest level of protection in China. Therefore, an appropriate protection measure is highly recommended to preserve this valuable resource, since this Myanmar ginseng might turn out to be the last P. zingiberensis, which could ever be seen in the planet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Genes, Plant / genetics
  • Genes, rRNA / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Myanmar
  • Panax / chemistry
  • Panax / genetics
  • Panax / growth & development*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / genetics
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry
  • Plants, Medicinal / genetics
  • Plants, Medicinal / growth & development*
  • RNA, Plant / genetics*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics*
  • Saponins / isolation & purification
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • RNA, Plant
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
  • Saponins