Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng)

Overview

Description: Panax quinquefolius, commonly known as American ginseng, is a perennial herb native to eastern North America. Its root is used as a botanical dietary supplement.
Adaptogenic Properties: Primarily cultivated for its adaptogenic properties, helping the body maintain homeostasis under physical, mental, or environmental stress.

Active Compounds: American ginseng’s pharmacologically active constituents are the dammarane‑type triterpene saponins (ginsenosides).
Rb1 Molecular Formula: The principal ginsenoside Rb1, for example, has the molecular formula C₅₂H₈₈O₁₈.
Rb1 IUPAC Name: The IUPAC name is (2R,3S,5R,6R,20S)-20‑(β‑D‑glucopyranosyl)‑3‑hydroxy‑5,6‑dimethyl‑1‑[3‑(β‑D‑glucopyranosyl)‑2‑[(2‑deoxy‑β‑D‑glucopyranosyl)oxy]‑2‑hydroxy‑5‑hydroxymethyl‑6‑methyl‑3‑oxocyclohex‑1‑en‑1‑yl]‑2‑(2‑hydroxy‑3‑hydroxymethyl‑4‑hydroxy‑5‑methyl‑6‑oxo‑1‑pyrrolidyl)‑2‑[2‑(hydroxymethyl)‑2‑hydroxy‑1‑oxo‑1‑pyrrolidyl]‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1-pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1‑pyrrolidyl‑1-pyrrolidyl (simplified).
Key Features: Key features are a four‑ring dammarane skeleton with multiple sugar moieties at C‑3, C‑12, and C‑20, which determine bio‑availability and pharmacodynamics.

Cultivation Locations: American ginseng is cultivated primarily in Wisconsin, Canada (Ontario, Quebec), and the United States (Maine, New York).
Growing Conditions: The plant grows under forest canopy conditions that maximize ginsenoside content.
Harvesting and Processing: Harvested roots (≥ 4 years old) are cleaned, sliced, and dried at ≤ 55 °C to preserve ginsenosides.
Extraction: Extraction typically employs 70 % ethanol or water‑ethanol mixtures, followed by spray‑drying to produce standardized extracts (e.g., “Panax quinquefolius extract 5 % ginsenosides”).
Quality Control: High‑quality supplements adhere to Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) and are verified by HPLC‑UV for ginsenoside profile, heavy‑metal, pesticide, and microbial limits.
Organic Certification: Organic‑certified, wild‑crafted sources are rare; cultivated, certified‑organic products are preferred for consistency and sustainability.