Total Ginsenosides Research Articles

Influence of exogenous ginsenosides on new forest soil microbial communities

Ginsenosides are the main active ingredient and allelochemicals of Panax ginseng, and they play an important role in ginseng growth and in ecological adaptation. To study the influence of ginsenosides on soil microbial communities, the method of given exogenous total ginsenosides of different concentrations were used to study the influence of ginsenosides on new forest soil microbial community, evaluate the change of metabolic activity of microbial community and investigate the ecological effect of ginsenosides on soil microbial community. Results showed that, exogenous total ginsenosides promoted metabolic activity of microbial community in new forest soil at different concentrations compared with the control after 10 d and 40 d treatment. After 10 d,except for the Evenness index, all of the other indices indicated that the functional diversity of the soil microbial community in the new forest firstly increased then decreased with increase of the total ginsenosides concentration. The Substrate richness for 0.01 g•L⁻¹ soil treatment was significantly different from that of the control. After 20 d, 30 d and 40 d, except for the Evenness index, all of the other indices indicated that the functional diversity of the soil microbial community in the new forest increased with total ginsenosides. These results suggested that ginsenosids can change soil microbial community and microbial metabolic activity, which alter soil microbial ecology and accordingly affect the growth of ginseng with accumulation of ginsenosides in the soil.

Antifeedant and oviposition-deterring activity of total ginsenosides against Pieris rapae.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifeedant and oviposition-deterring activity of total ginsenosides against P. rapae. Total ginsenosides exhibited increased antifeedant effects against P. rapae. The highest nonselective and selective antifeedant activity were observed at 2.0% concentration where ginsenosides caused antifeedant percentages of 86.09 and 88.90, respectively. The total ginsenosides showed significantly oviposition-deterring activity of 77.78% against oviposition of P. rapae at 1.0% concentration. Total ginsenosides had antifeeding activity against P. rapae and inhibitory effects on its oviposition. Ginsenosides could be used as an agent to prepare botanical new pesticidal formulations.

Comparing eight types of ginsenosides in ginseng of different plant ages and regions using RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS

BackgroundThis article aims to compare and analyze the contents of ginsenosides in ginseng of different plant ages from different localities in China. MethodsIn this study, 77 fresh ginseng samples aged 2–4 years were collected from 13 different cultivation regions in China. The content of eight ginsenosides (Rg3, Rc, Rg1, Rf, Rb2, Rb1, Re, and Rd) was determined using rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole–time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS) to comparatively evaluate the influences of cultivation region and age. ResultsGinsenoside contents differed significantly depending on age and cultivation region. The contents of ginsenosides Re, Rc, Rg1, Rg3, and Rf increased with cultivation age, whereas that of ginsenoside Rb1 peaked in the third year of cultivation. Moreover, the highest ginsenoside content was obtained from Changbai (19.36 mg/g) whereas the lowest content was obtained from Jidong (12.05 mg/g). Ginseng from Jilin Province contained greater total ginsenosides and was richer in ginsenoside Re than ginseng of the same age group in Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces, where Rb1 and Rg1 contents were relatively high. ConclusionIn this study, RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS was used to analyze ginsenoside contents in 77 ginseng samples aged 2–4 years from different cultivation regions. These patterns of variation in ginsenoside content, which depend on harvesting location and age, could be useful for interested parties to choose ginseng products according to their needs.

The pharmacokinetics of aspirin in combination with total ginsenoside of ginseng stems and leaves in rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of total ginsenoside of ginseng stems and leaves (TGSL) on the pharmacokinetics of aspirin in rats. MethodsSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 6), a combined group that received TGSL (625 mg/kg body weight) and aspirin (10 mg/kg body weight) by gavage, and an aspirin group that received aspirin (10 mg/kg body weight) by gavage. The concentration of salicylic acid, an important metabolite of aspirin, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in supernatant from blood obtained from the orbital sinus at various time points to examine the effect of TGSL on aspirin. ResultsThe results showed that the Tmax of salicylic acid was [0.92 (0.58)] hours in the aspirin group and [2.50 (1.22)] hours in the combined group, and was statistically significantly different between the groups (p < .05). ConclusionsTGSL can affect the pharmacokinetics of aspirin at Tmax in rats.

Ginsenosides synergize with mitomycin C in combating human non-small cell lung cancer by repressing Rad51-mediated DNA repair.

The use of ginseng extract as an adjuvant for cancer treatment has been reported in both animal models and clinical applications, but its molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Mitomycin C (MMC), an anticancer antibiotic used as a first- or second-line regimen in the treatment for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), causes serious adverse reactions when used alone. Here, by using both in vitro and in vivo experiments, we provide evidence for an optimal therapy for NSCLC with total ginsenosides extract (TGS), which significantly enhanced the MMC-induced cytotoxicity against NSCLC A549 and PC-9 cells in vitro when used in combination with relatively low concentrations of MMC. A NSCLC xenograft mouse model was used to confirm the in vivo synergistic effects of the combination of TGS with MMC. Further investigation revealed that TGS could significantly reverse MMC-induced S-phase cell cycle arrest and inhibit Rad51-mediated DNA damage repair, which was evidenced by the inhibitory effects of TGS on the levels of phospho-MEK1/2, phospho-ERK1/2 and Rad51 protein and the translocation of Rad51 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in response to MMC. In summary, our results demonstrate that TGS could effectively enhance the cytotoxicity of MMC against NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo, thereby revealing a novel adjuvant anticancer mechanism of TGS. Combined treatment with TGS and MMC can significantly lower the required concentration of MMC and can further reduce the risk of side effects, suggesting a better treatment option for NSCLC patients.

The effect of Glomus intraradices on the physiological properties of Panax ginseng and on rhizospheric microbial diversity

BackgroundGlomus intraradices is a species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that, as an obligate endomycorrhiza, can form mutually beneficial associations with plants. Panax ginseng is a popular traditional Chinese medicine; however, problems associated with ginseng planting, such as pesticide residues, reduce the ginseng quality. MethodsIn this experiment, we studied the effect of inoculating G. intraradices on several physiological properties and microbial communities of ginseng. UV-Visible Spectrum method was used to detect physical properties. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis method was used to analyze microbial communities. ResultsThe results indicated that inoculation with G. intraradices can improve the colonization rate of lateral ginseng roots, increase the levels of monomeric and total ginsenosides, and improve root activity as well as polyphenol oxidase and catalase activities. We also studied the bacterial and fungal communities in ginseng rhizospheric soil. In our study, G. intraradices inoculation improved the abundance and Shannon diversity of bacteria, whereas fungi showed a reciprocal effect. Furthermore, we found that G. intraradices inoculation might increase some beneficial bacterial species and decreased pathogenic fungi in rhizospheric soil of ginseng. ConclusionOur results showed that G. intraradices can benefit ginseng planting which may have some instructive and practical significance for planting ginseng in farmland.

A new PPARγ/DNA origami biochromatography and offline high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for screening PPARγ receptor antagonists from ginsenosides

To rapidly identify novel PPARγ ligands, a robust binding assay amenable to high-efficiency screening toward PPARγ would be desirable. In this study, a new PPARγ assembled on DNA origami (PPARγ/DNA origami) biochromatography drug screening model was constructed and evaluated. The method was used to screen active ingredients acted on PPARγ from the total ginsenosides. The total ginsenosides were handled on this biochromatography column by HPLC. The collected retention fraction from the biochromatography column was analyzed by HPLC and HPLC/MS. The results showed that ginsenoside Re from the total ginsenosides was the targeted component which could act on PPARγ receptor in similar manner of rosiglitazone as a control drug. This method will be a useful method for drug screening with natural medicinal herbs as a leading compound resource, compared with previous drug screening, this method without the need for complex and time-consuming separation steps previously.

Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis of Five Panax ginseng Cultivars Reveals the Dynamics of Ginsenoside Biosynthesis.

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a traditional medicinal herb that produces bioactive compounds such as ginsenosides. Here, we investigated the diversity of ginsenosides and related genes among five genetically fixed inbred ginseng cultivars (Chunpoong [CP], Cheongsun [CS], Gopoong [GO], Sunhyang [SH], and Sunun [SU]). To focus on the genetic diversity related to ginsenoside biosynthesis, we utilized in vitro cultured adventitious roots from the five cultivars grown under controlled environmental conditions. PCA loading plots based on secondary metabolite composition classified the five cultivars into three groups. We selected three cultivars (CS, SH, and SU) to represent the three groups and conducted further transcriptome and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses to identify genes and intermediates corresponding to the variation in ginsenosides among cultivars. We quantified ginsenoside contents from the three cultivars. SH had more than 12 times the total ginsenoside content of CS, with especially large differences in the levels of panaxadiol-type ginsenosides. The expression levels of genes encoding squalene epoxidase (SQE) and dammarenediol synthase (DDS) were also significantly lower in CS than SH and SU, which is consistent with the low levels of ginsenoside produced in this cultivar. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment increased the levels of panaxadiol-type ginsenosides up to 4-, 13-, and 31-fold in SH, SU, and CS, respectively. MeJA treatment also greatly increased the quantity of major intermediates and the expression of the underlying genes in the ginsenoside biosynthesis pathway; these intermediates included squalene, 2,3-oxidosqualene, and dammarenediol II, especially in CS, which had the lowest ginsenoside content under normal culture conditions. We conclude that SQE and DDS are the most important genetic factors for ginsenoside biosynthesis with diversity among ginseng cultivars.

Yeast Extract Stimulates Ginsenoside Production in Hairy Root Cultures of American Ginseng Cultivated in Shake Flasks and Nutrient Sprinkle Bioreactors.

One of the most effective strategies to enhance metabolite biosynthesis and accumulation in biotechnological systems is the use of elicitation processes. This study assesses the influence of different concentrations of yeast extract (YE) on ginsenoside biosynthesis in Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng) hairy roots cultivated in shake flasks and in a nutrient sprinkle bioreactor after 3 and 7 days of elicitation. The saponin content was determined using HPLC. The maximum yield (20 mg g−1 d.w.) of the sum of six examined ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re and Rg1) in hairy roots cultivated in shake flasks was achieved after application of YE at 50 mg L−1 concentration and 3 day exposure time. The ginsenoside level was 1.57 times higher than that attained in control medium. The same conditions of elicitation (3 day time of exposure and 50 mg L−1 of YE) also favourably influenced the biosynthesis of studied saponins in bioreactor cultures. The total ginsenoside content was 32.25 mg g−1 d.w. and was higher than that achieved in control medium and in shake flasks cultures. Obtained results indicated that yeast extract can be used to increase ginsenoside production in hairy root cultures of P. quinquefolium.

Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Panax ginseng Improves Ginsenoside Accumulation in Adventitious Ginseng Root Culture.

Ginsenoside is the most important secondary metabolite of ginseng. Natural sources of wild ginseng have been overexploited. Although root culture could reduce the length of the growth cycle of ginseng, the number of ginsenosides is fewer and their contents are lower in adventitious roots of ginseng than that in ginseng cultivated in the field. In this study, we investigated the effects of endophytic bacterial elicitors on biomass and ginsenoside production in adventitious roots cultures of Panax ginseng. Endophyte LB 5-3 as an elicitor could increase biomass and ginsenoside accumulation in ginseng adventitious root culture. After 6 days elicitation with a 10.0 mL of strain LB 5-3, the content of total ginsenoside was 2.026 mg g−1 which was four times more than that in unchallenged roots. The combination of methyl jasmonate and strain LB 5-3 had a negative effect on ginseng adventitious root growth and ginsenoside production. The genomic DNA of strain LB 5-3 was sequenced, and was found to be most closely related to Bacillus altitudinis (KX230132.1). The challenged ginseng adventitious root extracts exerted inhibitory effect against the HepG2 cells, which IC50 value was 0.94 mg mL−1.

Analysis of parameters of serum concentration and pharmacokinetic of liposome and aqueous solution of toatal ginsenoside of ginseng stems and leaves in rats

The experiment was aimed to investigate the difference of plasma concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters between liposome and aqueous solution of toatal ginsenoside of ginseng stems and leaves in rats, such as ginsenosides Rg₁, Re, Rf, Rb₁, Rg₂, Rc, Rb₂, Rb₃, Rd. After intravenous injection of liposome and aqueous solution in rats, the blood was taken from the femoral vein to detect the plasma concentration of the above 9 ginsenoside monomers in different time points by using HPLC. The concentration-time curve was obtained and 3p97 pharmacokinetic software was used to get the pharmacokinetic parameters. After the intravenous injection of ginsenosides to rats, nine ginsenosides were detected in plasma. In general, among these ginsenosides, the peak time of the aqueous solution was between 0.05 to 0.083 3 h, and the serum concentration peak of liposome usually appeared after 0.5 h. After software fitting, the aqueous solution of ginsenoside monomers Rg₁, Re, Rf, Rg₂, Rc, Rd, Rb₃ was two-compartment model, and the liposomes were one-compartment model; aqueous solution and liposome of ginsenoside monomers Rb₁ were three-compartment model; aqueous solution of ginsenoside monomers Rb₂ was three-compartment model, and its liposome was one-compartment model. Area under the drug time curve (AUC) of these 9 kinds of saponin liposomes was larger than that of aqueous solution, and the retention time of the liposomes was longer than that of the aqueous solution; the removal rate was slower than that of the aqueous solution, and the half-life was longer than that of the water solution. The results from the experiment showed that by intravenous administration, the pharmacokinetic parameters of two formulations were significantly different from each other; the liposomes could not only remain the drug for a longer time in vivo, but also reduce the elimination rate and increase the treatment efficacy. As compared with the traditional dosage forms, the total ginsenoside of ginseng stems and leaves can improve the sustained release of the drug, which is of great significance for the research and development of new dosage forms of ginsenosides in the future.

Ginseng-Derived Panaxadiol Saponins Promote Hematopoiesis Recovery in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Myelosuppressive Mice: Potential Novel Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Cytopenias

To investigate the potential efficacy of panaxadiol saponins component (PDS-C), a biologically active fraction isolated from total ginsenosides, to reverse chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression and pancytopenia caused by cyclophamide (CTX). Mice with myelosuppression induced by CTX were treated with PDS-C at a low- (20 mg/kg), moderate- (40 mg/kg), or high-dose (80 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days. The level of peripheral white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEU) and platelet (PLT) were measured, the histopathology and colony formation were observed, the protein kinase and transcription factors in hematopoietic cells were determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. In response to PDS-C therapy, the peripheral WBC, NEU and PLT counts of CTX-induced myelosuppressed mice were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, bone marrow histopathology examination showed reversal of CTX-induced myelosuppression with increase in overall bone marrow cellularity and the number of hematopoietic cells (P<0.01). PDS-C also promoted proliferation of granulocytic and megakaryocyte progenitor cells in CTX-treated mice, as evidenced by significantly increase in colony formation units-granulocytes/monocytes and -megakaryocytes (P<0.01). The enhancement of hematopoiesis by PDS-C appears to be mediated by an intracellular signaling pathway, this was evidenced by the up-regulation of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-ERK), and receptor tyrosine kinase (C-kit) and globin transcription factor 1 (GATA-1) in hematopoietic cells of CTX-treated mice (P<0.05). PDS-C possesses hematopoietic growth factor-like activities that promote proliferation and also possibly differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells in myelosuppressed mice, probably mediated by a mechanism involving MEK and ERK protein kinases, and C-kit and GATA-1 transcription factors. PDS-C may potentially be a novel treatment of myelosuppression and pancytopenia caused by chemotherapy.

Oxidative stability of extracts from red ginseng and puffed red ginseng in bulk oil or oil-in-water emulsion matrix

BackgroundExplosive puffing can induce changes in the chemical, nutritional, and sensory quality of red ginseng. The antioxidant properties of ethanolic extracts of red ginseng and puffed red ginseng were determined in bulk oil and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. MethodsBulk oils were heated at 60°C and 100°C and O/W emulsions were treated under riboflavin photosensitization. In vitro antioxidant assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhudrazyl, 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content, were also performed. ResultsThe total ginsenoside contents of ethanolic extract from red ginseng and puffed red ginseng were 42.33 mg/g and 49.22 mg/g, respectively. All results from above in vitro antioxidant assays revealed that extracts of puffed red ginseng had significantly higher antioxidant capacities than those of red ginseng (p<0.05). Generally, extracts of puffed red and red ginseng had high antioxidant properties in riboflavin photosensitized O/W emulsions. However, in bulk oil systems, extracts of puffed red and red ginseng inhibited or accelerated rates of lipid oxidation, depending on treatment temperature and the type of assay used. ConclusionAlthough ethanolic extracts of puffed red ginseng showed stronger antioxidant capacities than those of red ginseng when in vitro assays were used, more pro-oxidant properties were observed in bulk oils and O/W emulsions.

Cross Interaction Between Ilyonectria mors-panacis Isolates Infecting Korean Ginseng and Ginseng Saponins in Correlation with Their Pathogenicity.

Ilyonectria mors-panacis belongs to I. radicicola species complex and causes root rot and replant failure of ginseng in Asia and North America. The aims of this work were to identify I. mors-panacis that infect Korean ginseng using molecular approaches and to investigate whether their aggressiveness depends on their ability to metabolize ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) by their β-glucosidases, in comparison with other identified Ilyonectria species. Fourteen isolates were collected from culture collections or directly isolated from infected roots and mainly identified based on histone H3 (HIS H3) sequence. Among them, six isolates were identified as I. mors-panacis while others were identified as I. robusta and I. leucospermi. The pathogenicity tests confirmed that the isolates of I. mors-panacis were significantly more aggressive than I. robusta and I. leucospermi. The major ginsenosides in I. mors-panacis-infected roots were significantly reduced while significantly increased in those infected with other species. In vitro, the isolates were tested for their sensitivity and ability to metabolize the total major ginsenosides (Total MaG), protopanaxadiol-type major ginsenosides (PPD-type MaG), and protopanaxatriol-type major ginsenosides (PPT-type MaG). Unexpectedly, the growth rate and metabolic ability of I. mors-panacis isolates were significantly low on the three different ginsenoside fractions while those of I. robusta and I. leucospermi were significantly reduced on PPT-type MaG and Total MaG fractions and not affected on PPD-type MaG fraction. Our results indicate that major ginsenosides, especially PPT-type, have an antifungal effect and may intervene in ginseng defense during Ilyonectria species invasion, in particular the weak species. Also, the pathogenicity of I. mors-panacis may rely on its ability to reduce saponin content; however, whether this reduction is caused by detoxification or another method remains unclear.

A Study on the Utilization of By-products from Honeyed Red Ginseng: Optimization of Total Ginsenoside Extraction Using Response Surface Methodology

A Study on the Utilization of By-products from Honeyed Red Ginseng: Optimization of Total Ginsenoside Extraction Using Response Surface Methodology

Serum and Brain Metabolomic Variations Reveal Perturbation of Sleep Deprivation on Rats and Ameliorate Effect of Total Ginsenoside Treatment.

Sleep loss or sleep deprivation (SD) refers to shorter sleep than average baseline need, and SD has been a serious problem of modern societies which affects health and well-being. Panax ginseng is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Our previous study has demonstrated that total ginsenosides (GS), the extracts from Panax ginseng, could effectively improve cognition and behavior on SD rats. However, little is known about its metabolomic study. In this study, serum and brain metabolomic method based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was employed to evaluate the efficacy and study the mechanism of GS on a rat model of SD. With pattern recognition analysis of serum and brain tissue metabolite profile, a clear separation of the model group and control group was acquired for serum and brain tissue samples; the MGS (model + GS) group showed a tendency of recovering when compared to control group, which was consistent with behavioral and biochemical parameters. 39 and 40 potential biomarkers of brain tissues and serum samples, respectively, were identified and employed to explore the possible mechanism. Our work revealed that GS has significant protective effects on SD, and metabolomics is a useful tool for evaluating efficacy and elucidating mechanism in TCM.

Authentication ofPanax ginsengfrom different regions

The correlation of gene expressions of HMGR and DS with total ginsenoside content was significant.

Comparison of Ginsenoside Contents in Different Parts of Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer).

The present study was conducted to investigate the ginsenoside profiles of the main root, root hair, and leaf of ginseng in order to demonstrate their possible application in medicine. The total ginsenoside content of the leaf was up to 12 times than that in the main root, and the content of protopanaxadiol groups was higher than that of protopanaxatriol groups in all the samples. The leaf was shown to contain high amounts of ginsenosides Rb3 and Rh1, whereas the main root contained large amounts of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc. Moreover, Rb2, Rb3, and Rg1 were only detected in the root hair, leaf, and main root, respectively. The ginsenoside Re content of Panax ginseng leaf and root hair was 2.6~4 times higher than that of the main root. Therefore, the results indicate that the ginsenoside content of Panax ginseng is higher in the leaf and root hair, and lower in the main root.

Comparison of growth characteristics and quality of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) using different shade materials

Production methods for high-quality ginsengs for various advanced medical applications of today and the future are developing continuously. This research project aimed at exploring the growth of Panax ginseng at different microclimate-changes induced by using different shading materials and by analyzing the ginsenosides produced in P. ginseng grown under different shading material. The temperatures under the shading materials from June to October was high in order of Blue polyethylene sheet (BPS) > Aluminium-coated polyethylene sheet (ACPS) > Three-layered blue and one-layered black polyethylene net (TBOBPN). Particularly BPS showed the highest light transmission of 381.7µmol/s/m2 in August, which generated high temperature in the ginseng field. The growth of aerial parts from the 2 – 3 year old ginsengs were vigorous in order of TBOBPN > ACPS > BPS, whereas BPS with high light transmission rate also allowed strong growth of 4 year old ginsengs. Root growth in terms of root length and root diameter by different shading materials was satisfactory, regardless of root age, in the order of ACPS > BPS > TBOBPN. More specifically, root length was 23.2 cm longer for 2 year-old roots, 28.3 cm longer for 3 year-old roots, and 29.3 cm longer for 4 year-old roots in the plots treated with ACPS compared to TBOBPN and BPS plots – and root diameter showed the same results as root length. However, the root weight was essentially identical for the three shading materials for all age groups, except for the 4-year old root of ACPS-shaded ginseng that showed 2.96 kg dry material per 1.62 m2 field, i.e., about 8% increase in yield compared to the plot shaded with TBOBPN. The content of ginsenosides Rg2, Rf, Re and Rd in the plot treated with ACPS was higher than in both BPS and TBOBPN plots. Thus, the total ginsenoside content of 4-years-old roots was 20.92 mg/g dry material for ACPS-shaded ginseng and 20.38 and 15.89 mg/g dry material for BPS-shaded and TBOBPN-shaded ginseng, respectively.

Comparison of quality and ginsenoside contents in roots of Panax ginseng at various ages in Gangwon, Korea

Red ginseng made from 6-year-old ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) is the representative Korean ginseng product on the worldwide market. Recently, the questions have arisen whether red ginseng can be made from 4- to 5-year-old ginseng, and whether the average content of total ginsenosides is any different than 6-year-old ginseng. The present study was carried out to obtain basic information regarding the quality control standards of P. ginseng cultivated in Gangwon, Korea, a newly emerging area of ginseng production. 80 samples from 45 farms in 9 counties of the Gangwon province, were collected according to age (4-, 5-, and 6-year-old) and cultivation conditions, in order to compare the quality of ginseng. Identification of the root age of ginseng was performed using a new technique [1] of histochemical staining of secretory duct layers (SDL). Total Ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, -Rf, -Rg1, -Rg2, -Rg3, -Rh1 -Rh2 and R1, the effective components of Korean ginseng, were detected by HPLC analysis [2]. Acidic polysaccharide, crude polyacetylene, polyphenol and flavonoid were analyzed by using method of spectrophotometric determination [3], while the crude protein was analyzed by using Lowry method [4]. Extract and crude saponin [5] increased gradually over 6 years. 6-year-old fresh ginseng had the highest average content of total saponins and protein. The mean ± S.D. values of the total saponin content of 4-, 5- and 6-year-old ginseng -were 26.9 ± 1.17, 29.6 ± 1.66, and 32.0 ± 2.27 mg/g, respectively. The level of other non-saponins (such as acidic polysaccharides, total polyphenols and flavonoids [5]) in 6-year-old ginseng roots was also higher than those cultivated for shorter periods. Therefore, it can be concluded that the highest quality of ginseng grown in Ganwon can be obtained from 6-year-old ginseng roots in which the content of active ingredients is remarkably increased.