Planta Med 2009; 75 - PG41
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1234695

Analysis of ginseng dietary supplements – content of ginsenosides

P Marsik 1, A Bacilkova 1, 2, L Langhansova 1, J Andrle 3, T Vanek 1
  • 1Laboratory of Plant Biotechnologies, Joint Laboratory of Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR, v.v.i. and Research Institute of Crop Production, v.v.i., Rozvojova 263, 165 02 Prague 6– Lysolaje, Czech Republic
  • 2Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague; Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
  • 3Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Environmental Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague 6 -Dejvice, Czech Republic

Products based on Panax ginseng are the most popular commodity of Chinese traditional herb medicine worldwide. Due to the minimal side effects ginseng is predominantly used as component of various tonic and adaptogenic dietary supplements [1]. However, because dietary supplements, despite of their increasing popularity, are not subject to the same regulations that pharmaceuticals are, there are concerns for their purity and potency [2]. Ginseng saponins (ginsenosides), which are unique for Panax species and are associated with their pharmacological activity, appear as suitable marker compounds for quality control [3].

In our work, 11 ginseng products (tablets, capsules, extracts, mixtures) commercially available on Czech market were evaluated for the presence and quantity of 12 ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, Rg3, Rh1, Rh2). Each of them were identified by comparison of retention times with standards and confirmed by LC/MS. The quantification was carried out by external standard method using UV detection (at 203nm). Ginsenosides were found in 8 products only. Three preparations contained low concentrations of total ginsenosides (from 1.0 to 2.2mg per recommended daily dose). In three other products no saponins were detected. The results suggest that not all of the products on Czech market where ginseng addition is declared contains sufficient amount of the ginsenosides.

Acknowledgement: This work was supported by KJB 400550705 project.

References: [1] Cai, Z. et al. (2002)J. Mass. Spectrom. 37:1013–1024.

[2] Harkey, M.R. et al. (2001) Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 73:1101–1106.

[3] Li, W.K. and Fitzloff, J.F. (2002)J. Liq. Chromatogr. R T 25:2485–2500.