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.

• 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.