There has been general tendency to explain the traditional ginseng efficacy through the pharmacological and biochemical activities of ginsenosides. However. when we analyze the pharmacological and biological data on ginseng reported yet, we can
easily
arrive at the conclsion that most of the data on pharmacological and biological activities must have been obtained using impure ginsenoside samples, with should contain some non-saponin constituents as impurities . Based on the above back ground,
the
non-saponin constituents of ginseng studied in our laboratory. Phenolic substances including Maltol, Vanillic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Ferrulic Acid and Caffeic acid and impure ginesenoside samples were found to show strong antioxidant and
anti-fatigue
activities, while pure ginsenosides were devoid of the activities. Maltol, one of antioxidant components in Korean red ginseng drew a special interest due to its very low pro-oxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of ginseng may be considered
as
scientific basis for the anti-ageing activity which was described in traditional medicinal material book as "long-term medication of ginseng will improve bio-efficiency and extend life-span". The lignan components, another non-saponin
consitutents,
isolated from ginseng extract in our laboratory may eplain the hepato-protective activity of ginseng which has been repeatedly claimed as one of the efficacies of ginsenosides. The β-carboline alkaloids isolated in our laboratory as one of the
non-saponin constituents of ginseng may play some pharmacological activites which should also be investigated. Present paper will include chemistry and biochemical aspects of the non-saponin constituents of ginseng with special interests for the
explanation of traditional ginseng efficacy on modern scientific basis.
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