Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activities of Vietnamese Ginseng, Panax viehamensis

From the underground part of Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., commonly known as Vietnamese ginseng, 50 triterpene glycosides including 24 new dammarane saponins named visa-ginsenosides-Rl-24 were isolated and identified. The structure of the new saponins was elucidated based on chemical and spectroscopic evidence. The saponin composition of Vietnamese ginseng is almost similar to that of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and other cultivated Panax spp. However, the content of ocotillos-type saponins, especially that of the major saponin, majonoside-R2 (5.29% yield), was surprisingly very high. The pharmacological activities of Vietnamese ginseng are essentially similar to those of ginseng. In addition, it has marked antibacterial activity against pathogenic Streptococcus app. and is effective in treatment of granular angina. The chemical composition and pharmacological activities have made Vietnamese ginseng an interesting member of Panax spp. from chemotaxonomical and pharmacological points of view,