Panax notoginseng (Tienchi Ginseng)

Panax notoginseng (commonly called Tienchi Ginseng) is a perennial herb of the Araliaceae family native to the mountainous regions of China and Vietnam. Its rhizome is rich in triterpenoid saponins (ginsenosides) and has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine primarily to support cardiovascular health and to reduce bleeding after surgery.

• Cardiovascular support: Clinical trials show that standardized extracts (≈ 2 g/day of dried root) can modestly lower systolic blood pressure (≈ 5 mm Hg) and reduce platelet aggregation, helping to prevent thrombotic events (Zhang et al., 2022).
• Hemostasis & wound healing: Randomized studies in postoperative patients report reduced bleeding time and improved wound granulation with 500 mg–1 g/day of standardized extract (Zhou et al., 2021).
• Neuro‑cognitive function: A 12‑week double‑blind trial found that 200 mg of a standardized ginsenoside‑rich extract improved working‑memory scores by 8 % in older adults, likely via antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory pathways (Liu et al., 2023).
• Anti‑inflammatory & antioxidant: In vitro and animal studies demonstrate dose‑dependent inhibition of NF‑κB and up‑regulation of Nrf2, resulting in reduced cytokine production (IL‑6, TNF‑α) and oxidative stress markers.
• Metabolic health: Small pilot trials suggest modest reductions in fasting glucose (≈ 5 % decrease) and triglycerides (≈ 8 % decrease) in overweight participants taking 600 mg/day for 8 weeks (Wang et al., 2020).

• Platelet inhibition: Via suppression of the thromboxane‑A₂ receptor and inhibition of phosphoinositide‑3‑kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, reducing platelet aggregation.
• Vasodilation: Through increased endothelial nitric‑oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, raising NO production and improving arterial compliance.
• Neuroprotection: Via activation of the PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways, promoting neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity.
• Anti‑oxidant: Effects are mediated by activation of the Nrf2‑Keap1 pathway, leading to up‑regulation of heme‑oxygenase‑1 (HO‑1) and glutathione‑S‑transferase.
• Anti‑inflammatory: Actions involve inhibition of NF‑κB nuclear translocation, decreasing pro‑inflammatory cytokine transcription. The combined actions result in improved hemodynamics, reduced oxidative damage, and modulation of immune response.

• Ginsenoside Rb1: C₅₂H₈₂O₁₈, molecular weight ≈ 1109 Da, IUPAC name = (2S,3R,5S,6R)-3‑[(2‑S‑glucosyl‑1‑β‑D‑glucopyranosyl)oxy]‑... (full IUPAC omitted for brevity).
• Notoginsenoside R1: C₅₃H₈₄O₁₈, MW ≈ 1111 Da, featuring a 20‑hydroxyl and a unique 12‑O‑β‑D‑glucose moiety.
• Key features: a four‑ring dammarane skeleton (C₁₇‑hydrocarbon core) with multiple hydroxyl groups and glycosidic attachments that dictate polarity and bio‑availability. The high polarity of the glycoside moieties facilitates interaction with membrane receptors (e.g., G‑protein‑coupled receptors) and facilitates transport via the intestinal sodium‑dependent glucose transporter (SGLT1).

• Wild and cultivated Panax notoginseng is harvested primarily in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces of China, where the plant grows at 1 500‑2 500 m elevation.
• Extraction typically employs 70 % ethanol or water‑ethanol mixtures followed by vacuum‑evaporation and spray‑drying to produce a powdered extract standardized to 20–30 % total ginsenosides.
• High‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with reference to a ginsenoside‑fingerprint profile is used for quality assurance.
• Quality considerations include:
  • Verifying botanical identity via DNA barcoding
  • Testing for heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg < 5 ppm), pesticide residues, and microbial load (< 10³ CFU/g)
• Certified Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facilities and third‑party testing (e.g., USP, NSF) ensure consistent potency and safety for consumer supplements.