A comprehensive review on chemical structure, quality control, pharmacological effects, and structure-activity relationship of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris)

doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.03.016

Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 757-767.DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.03.016

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A comprehensive review on chemical structure, quality control, pharmacological effects, and structure-activity relationship of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris)

MIN Zeting¹, XU Qianqian², SHI Mengqiong²(), GUO Wei³, ZHANG Jihong³, CHEN Maohua³(), XU Jie³, HU Huiquan³, ZHOU Gang³, TANG Haiming⁴

¹ College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
² Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
³ Chinese Medicine Hospital & Hubei Clinical Research Center for Functional Digestive Diseases of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
⁴ College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China

Received:2025-03-12 Accepted:2025-08-11 Online:2026-06-15 Published:2026-06-08
Contact: Prof. SHI Mengqiong, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China. shmq0212@126.com;
Prof. CHEN Maohua, Chinese Medicine Hospital & Hubei Clinical Research Center for Functional Digestive Diseases of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China. 79198685@qq.com, Telephone: +86-717-6397478
Supported by:
Zhejiang Basic Public Welfare Research Program: Molecular Mechanism of Saponins from Suanzaoren Hehuan Formula to Treat Depression and Insomnia through Toll-like Receptor 4/Nuclear Factor-κB/NOD-like Receptor Thermal Protein Domain Associated Protein 3 Inflammasome Pathway Mediated Immune Inflammatory Activation(LGF21H090002);Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Plan Project: Research on the Lead Compounds of Antidepressant Activity in the She Ethnic Medicine Eupatorium Chinense L. Based on the NOD-like Receptor Thermal Protein Domain Associated Protein 3 Inflammasome Pathway(2022497454);Research Foundation of Yichang City Science and Technology Bureau: Research on the Mechanism of Chaenomeles Speciosa “Hewei Huashi” in Preventing Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury Based on microRNA-423-5p/Trefoil Factor/Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug-activated Gene-1 Pathway(A21-2-044);Preparation of Qingzhuan Tea Zhen and Its Regulating Effect on Imbalance of Intestinal Microbiota(A18-302-a2);Open Foundation of Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Characteristic Traditional Chinese Medicine Research: Study on Preparation of Chaenomeles Speciosa Triterpene Hydrogel and Its Effect and Mechanism on Promoting Skin Wound Healing(WDCM2022010);Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology Key Research and Development Big Health Plan Project: Research on the Mechanism and Application of Total Saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris), a Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Hubei Characteristics in Preventing and Treating Non-alcoholic Fatty Hepatitis(2022BCE017);Natural Science Foundation Project of Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology: Mechanism and Application of Total Triterpenes from Cyclocarya paliurus, a Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Hubei Characteristics, in Resisting Obesity(2025BCB067);Molecular Mechanism of Total Triterpenoids from Chaenomeles Speciosa in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer Based on Toll-like Receptor 4/Nuclear Factor-κB/NOD-like Receptor Thermal Protein Domain Associated Protein 3 Pathway Activation(2023AFB600);Mechanism of Total Triterpenes from Chaenomeles Speciosa in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Mediated by Toll-like Receptor 4/Nuclear Factor-κB/NOD-like Receptor Thermal Protein Domain Associated Protein 3 Inflammasome Pathway and Inflammatory Cell Immune Activation(2022CFB357);Molecular Mechanism of Total Triterpenoids from Chaenomeles Speciosa in Protecting Gastric Mucosa and Promoting Healing of Damaged Gastric Mucosa(2022CFB427);Open Fund of Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Center for Functional Digestive System Diseases in Hubei Province: Molecular Mechanism of Jianpi Huazhuo Formula in Treating Intestinal Polyps through Toll-like Receptor 4/Nuclear Factor-κB/NOD-like Receptor Thermal Protein Domain Associated Protein 3 Inflammasome Pathway Mediated Immune Inflammatory Activation(SXZ202308);Study on the Mechanism of Total Triterpenes from Chaenomeles Speciosa in Clearing Aging Epithelial Cells and Resisting Gastric Aging(SXZ202311);Key Traditional Chinese Medicine Project of Hubei Provincial Health Commission: Molecular Mechanism of Total Triterpenoids in Chaenomeles Speciosa Protecting Gastric Mucosa and Promoting Healing of Damaged Gastric Mucosa from Trefoil Factor Family/C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Type 4 Signaling Cascade Study(ZY2023Z015)

1. .pdf(337KB)

Abstract

Abstract:

Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) is the dried rhizome and root of Panax japonicus C.A. Meyer. var major (Burk.) C.Y. Wu et K.M. Feng or Panax japonicus Meyer. Var. bipinnatifidus (Seem.) C.Y. Wu et K.M. Feng, which belongs to the Araliaceae family and corresponds to liver, lung and stomach meridians. The main active ingredients of Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) are triterpenoid saponins, consisting of pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins and tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins. Saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including the protection of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, central nervous system, and liver, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. Current research indicated that the pharmacological mechanism of triterpenoid saponins is closely related to their chemical structure, signaling pathways and expression of related proteins. To further study the pharmacological effects of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris), this review systematically summarizes their chemical structure, quality control, pharmacological effects, and structure-activity relationship of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris), which provide a reference for further research and to promote the extensive application of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) in the pharmaceutical field.

Key words: Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris), saponins, quality control, pharmacological activities, structure-activity relationship, review

MIN Zeting, XU Qianqian, SHI Mengqiong, GUO Wei, ZHANG Jihong, CHEN Maohua, XU Jie, HU Huiquan, ZHOU Gang, TANG Haiming. A comprehensive review on chemical structure, quality control, pharmacological effects, and structure-activity relationship of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris)[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026, 46(3): 757-767.

Figures/Tables 4

Figure 1 Oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin mother nucleus O: oxygen atom; COO: carboxylate

Figure 2 Dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin mother nucleus A: 20 (S)-protopanaxadiol type; B: 20 (S)-protopanaxatriol type. O: oxygen atom; OH: hydroxyl group.

Figure 3 Ocotillol-type saponin mother nucleus O: oxygen atom; OH: hydroxyl group.

Figure 4 Pharmacological effect of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris)

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A comprehensive review on chemical structure, quality control, pharmacological effects, and structure-activity relationship of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris)

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