Mark BernardsWestern Science

Ecological Role of Phytochemicals

Ginsenosides from ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)

Ginsenosides are triterpenoid saponins of the ginseng plant. Like other saponins, they are fungitoxic (although only slightly) and as such may play a role in the interaction between ginseng plants and soil-borne microorganisms. One particularly aggressive pathogen of ginseng is the oomycete Pythium irregulare. This organism is able to metabolize common protopanaxadiol ginsenosides (e.g., Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd) via extracellular glycosidase(s) into a common product, ginsenoside F2. This compound may act as either a host recognition factor or a growth stimulant for P. irregulare, allowing it to find susceptible ginseng roots. Our analysis has demonstrated that the ability of P. irregulare to deglycosylate ginsenosides is directly related to its ability to infect ginseng seedlings. Paradoxically, F2 itself shows an inhibitory effect on the growth of P. irregulare, and excess amounts of ginsenosides near ginseng roots delays infection (see publications #62 & 63). We are currently trying to disect these seemingly contradictory observations.

Ginsenoside conversion by extracelluular glycosidases of P. irregulare