Abstract:

In this paper, an observation of chemotaxonomy of the genus Panax (Araljaceae) has detailed. There are two types of triterpenoid saponins were isolated from this genus. Ginseng (P. Ginseng C. A. Meyer), America Ginseng (P. quinquefolius L.) and Sanchi-Ginscng ( P. notoginseng ( Burk. ) F.H. Chen) are famous drugs and used for traditional madicinc in China and a number of dammarane saponins as main constituents have been contained. On the other hand, P. japonicus C. A. Meyer and its varieties, P. zingiberensis Wu et Feng, P. stipuleanatus Tsai et Feng and P. pseudo-ginseng Wall. have been only used for folk medicine in China and a number of oleanane saponins as main constituents have been contained. It is interesting that between types are diffrent not only in saponin constituents but also in morphologic characterstics (especially in subter-ranean parts), geographic distribution and medicinal value. From this, the phylo-geny of Panax were discussed on chemotaxonomical view, and a suggestion about development and application of medicinal resources of this genus was raised.

Key words: Panax, Saponins, Chemotaxonomy, Application of medical resources