Analytical Investigation of Active Compound Contents of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and Ginkgo biloba L. Supplements Fortified with Apitherapy Products

Abstract

Extracts of therapeutic plants of nature, such as Ginkgo biloba L. and Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (P.ginseng) are highly requested. Recently admixtures of these extracts with apitherapy products are also available. In this study, as research materials, P.ginseng, and Ginkgo biloba L. supplements in the form of tablets, paste, and liquid extracts prepared as a mixture with bee products were compared in terms of their ginsenosides, phenolics, terpene lactones, and antioxidant capacities. Within this study, it was aimed to clarify the active ingredients P.ginseng extracts, Ginkgo biloba L. extracts, and their mixtures with bee products by developing advanced and novel analytical methods. Additionally, it was purposed to unveil the contribution of bee products to phytotherapy supplements of P.ginseng and Ginkgo biloba L. on the basis of secondary metabolites. Ultrasound-assisted hydroalcoholic extraction was applied at sample preparation and supernatants were analyzed at UPLC-MS/MS and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The antioxidant activities were determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. As a result, total ginsenoside contents of the products per serving were ranged between 9.7 mg to 150.2 mg. Terpene lactones of the ginkgo products were ranged between 0.1 mg to 9.5 mg per serving. The antioxidant activities of all products were determined between 13% and 92%. Quercetin, rutin hydrate, CAPE, kaempferol, galangin, chrysin, gallic acid, pinocembrin, and isorhamnetin were found as the predominant phenolics. Due to their higher antioxidant capacities, superior phenolic concentrations, and diversities, it was enlightened that apitherapy products can augment the phytotherapy efficacies of P.ginseng and Ginkgo biloba L. supplements.