Review

. 2021 Jan;45(1):1-21.

doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2019.12.009. Epub 2020 Jan 14.

Phytochemical analysis of Panax species: a review

Yuangui Yang¹, Zhengcai Ju¹, Yingbo Yang¹, Yanhai Zhang¹, Li Yang^{1

2}, Zhengtao Wang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
² Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, China.

PMID: 33437152
PMCID: PMC7790905
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2019.12.009

Review

Phytochemical analysis of Panax species: a review

Yuangui Yang et al. J Ginseng Res. 2021 Jan.

. 2021 Jan;45(1):1-21.

doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2019.12.009. Epub 2020 Jan 14.

Authors

Yuangui Yang¹, Zhengcai Ju¹, Yingbo Yang¹, Yanhai Zhang¹, Li Yang^{1

2}, Zhengtao Wang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
² Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, China.

PMID: 33437152
PMCID: PMC7790905
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2019.12.009

Abstract

Panax species have gained numerous attentions because of their various biological effects on cardiovascular, kidney, reproductive diseases known for a long time. Recently, advanced analytical methods including thin layer chromatography, high-performance thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem ultraviolet, diode array detector, evaporative light scattering detector, and mass detector, two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography, high speed counter-current chromatography, high speed centrifugal partition chromatography, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography, ambient ionization mass spectrometry, molecularly imprinted polymer, enzyme immunoassay, ¹H-NMR, and infrared spectroscopy have been used to identify and evaluate chemical constituents in Panax species. Moreover, Soxhlet extraction, heat reflux extraction, ultrasonic extraction, solid phase extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, acceleration solvent extraction, matrix solid phase dispersion extraction, and pulsed electric field are discussed. In this review, a total of 219 articles published from 1980 to 2018 are investigated. Panax species including P. notoginseng, P. quinquefolius, sand P. ginseng in the raw and processed forms from different parts, geographical origins, and growing times are studied. Furthermore, the potential biomarkers are screened through the previous articles. It is expected that the review can provide a fundamental for further studies.

Keywords: Analytical methods; Application; Content; Panax species; Sample preparations.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

**Fig. 1**
The main ginsenosides of *Panax* species (protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol, ocotillol, oleanane, and C-17 side chain type).

**Fig. 2**
The number of papers published during 1980 and 2019.

**Scheme 1**
The potential transformation pathway of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides after processing.

**Scheme 2**
The potential transformation pathway of protopanaxatriol ginsenosides after processing.

**Scheme 3**
The potential transformation pathway of malonyl and acetyl ginsenosides after processing.

**Scheme 4**
The potential transformation pathway of oleanane ginsenosides after processing.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

Cited by

Comprehensive understanding and underlying molecular mechanisms of the adaptogenic effects of Panax ginseng.
Sutopo NC, Qomaladewi NP, Lee HW, Lee MS, Kim JH, Cho JY. Sutopo NC, et al. J Ginseng Res. 2025 Jul;49(4):356-365. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2025.03.013. Epub 2025 Apr 2. J Ginseng Res. 2025. PMID: 40621085 Free PMC article. Review.
Panax quinquefolius (North American Ginseng) Polysaccharides as Immunomodulators: Current Research Status and Future Directions.
Ghosh R, Bryant DL, Farone AL. Ghosh R, et al. Molecules. 2020 Dec 11;25(24):5854. doi: 10.3390/molecules25245854. Molecules. 2020. PMID: 33322293 Free PMC article. Review.
Cultivar Differentiation and Origin Tracing of Panax quinquefolius Using Machine Learning Model-DrivenComparative Metabolomics.
Zhou R, Wang Y, Zhen L, Shen B, Long H, Huang L. Zhou R, et al. Foods. 2025 Apr 14;14(8):1340. doi: 10.3390/foods14081340. Foods. 2025. PMID: 40282742 Free PMC article.
Immunomodulatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Cancer Properties of Ginseng: A Pharmacological Update.
Valdés-González JA, Sánchez M, Moratilla-Rivera I, Iglesias I, Gómez-Serranillos MP. Valdés-González JA, et al. Molecules. 2023 May 3;28(9):3863. doi: 10.3390/molecules28093863. Molecules. 2023. PMID: 37175273 Free PMC article. Review.
The integration of spear and shield: a panoramic analysis of the blood circulation-promoting and hemostatic effects of Panax notoginseng.
Zhang X, Li C, Wang G, Francis OB, Wang H, Sun A, Wu H, Yang X, Dong P, Zheng W, Wang Q, Zhang J. Zhang X, et al. Chin Med. 2025 May 29;20(1):79. doi: 10.1186/s13020-025-01100-6. Chin Med. 2025. PMID: 40442777 Free PMC article. Review.

See all "Cited by" articles

References

1. Lu Q. A review on studies of Panax plant taxonomy. J Jilin Agr Univ. 1992;14:107–111.
1. The State Pharmacopoeia Commission . 2015. Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Beijing.
1. Ru W., Wang D., Xu Y., He X., Sun Y.E., Qian L., Zhou X., Qin Y. Chemical constituents and bioactivities of Panax ginseng (C. A. Mey.) Drug Discov Ther. 2015;9:23–32. - PubMed
1. Kim D.H. Chemical diversity of Panax ginseng, Panax quinquifolium, and Panax notoginseng. J Ginseng Res. 2012;36:1–15. - PMC - PubMed
1. Yang W.Z., Hu Y., Wu W.Y., Ye M., Guo D.A. Saponins in the genus Panax L. (Araliaceae): a systematic review of their chemical diversity. Phytochemistry. 2014;106:7–24. - PubMed

Publication types

Actions

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
- scite Smart Citations

Save citation to file

Email citation

Add to Collections

Add to My Bibliography

Your saved search

Create a file for external citation management software

Your RSS Feed

Phytochemical analysis of Panax species: a review

Affiliations

Phytochemical analysis of Panax species: a review

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

Similar articles

Cited by

References

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Other Literature Sources