Chromatographic analysis of ginsenosides occurring in the roots of American ginseng (Panax quinquefoliumL.) and in Asian ginseng (Panax ginsengC.A. Mayer) preparations

The object of these investigations was comparative analysis of the composition of ginsenosides occurring in roots of Panax quinquefolium L. cultivated in the Department of Industrial and Medical Plants Agriculture, University of Lublin (Poland) and on the Inberger Ginseng Farm in Wisconsin (USA), and in concentrate and preparations from Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer. TLC analysis revealed differences between the content and composition of ginsenosides in extracts from P. ginseng and P. quinquefolium . American ginseng is characterized by higher concentrations of Rb1 and Re ginsenosides whereas the amount of Rg1 ginsenoside in American ginseng is considerably less than in Asian ginseng. The investigations also showed that roots of American ginseng cultivated in Poland and encapsulated American ginseng roots cultivated in the USA have identical composition. This proves the suitability for pharmaceutical purposes of raw material cultivated in Poland.