Research Progress on Saponins and Pharmacological Activities of Panax japonicus

Panax japonicus is a kind of rare species which belongs to Panax genus under Araliaceae family. Panax japonicus has protective effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system, central nervous system and liver, and possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and other pharmacological activities. The major bioactive components in Panax japonicus are triterpene saponins, which is similar to the congeneric plants:Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium and Panax notoginseng. According to the different structures of aglycone, the triterpene saponins in Panax japonicus can be divided into two groups:oleanane type saponins and dammarane type saponins. According to the references in the past twenty years, the resource distribution, constituents of triterpene saponins from different parts of Panax japonicus and their pharmacological activities were summarized in this review, thus provided theoretical reference for the development of medicine and health food with Panax japonicus as raw material.