DAMMARANE SAPONINS FROM THE ROOTS OF PANAX PSEUDOGINSENG

Abstract

From the methanol extract of the roots of Panax pseudoginseng, six saponins compounds with dammarane frame were isolated. The compounds including (20S)-ginsenoside Rh1 (1), (20R)-ginsenoside Rh1 (2), ginsenoside Rk3 (3), 6-acetoxy-ginsenoside Rh1 (4), ginsenoside F1 (5), and ginsenoside Rg3 (6) were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis (HR-ESI-MS), one-dimensional (1D NMR) and two-dimensional (2D NMR) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, combined with comparison of existing data. The results of screening evaluation of NO production inhibitory activity against RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS showed that all 6 compounds had quite good activity. Compound 1-6 exhibited inhibitory activity on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 value = 17.32 ± 1.56 ~ 34.61 ± 2.72 µM, compared with the corresponding value of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) control, IC50 = 9.80 ± 0.78 µM. This result helps to clarify more about the chemical composition of the Panax pseudoginseng plant in Vietnam. Furthermore, the results of analysis suggest for further studies on anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing properties from the roots of Panax pseudoginseng.