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Studies on the medicinal plant resources of the Himalayas, production of saponins in Himalayan ginseng cultures collected in Nepal

Publication Type  Journal Article
Year  2000
Authors  Watanabe, T,; Kawaguchi, K,; Yoshikawa, T,; Takano, A,; Kohda, H,; Malla, K, J.; Bista, M, S.
Journal  Bio-technology applications for reforestation and biodiversity conservation. Proceedings of the 8th International Workshop of BIO-REFOR, Kathmandu, Nepal, November 28-December 2, 1999
Pages  295-298
Abstract  

Panax pseudoginseng (Araliaceae), is known in the vernacular name of "dkar-po chig-thub" as a Tibetan crude drug. The carrot-like root of P. pseudoginseng subsp. pseudoginseng characteristically contains only a trace amount of oleanane saponins, and a trace of ocotillol-type saponins typically in the rhizomes, whereas those with long bamboo-like rhizome such as subsp. himalaicus contain a large amount of a number of dammarane saponins along with a relatively small amount of oleanane saponins. Since P. pseudoginseng is not a cultivated plant, it is difficult to define growing conditions and propagation. Recently we have reported in vitro propagation of Himalayan ginseng from the Langtang region of Nepal, and also investigated about the quantitative effect of saponins by combination of NAA and BAP concentrations (0.1- 3.0 ppm each). A further investigation for effecting saponin production using various culture strains of P. pseudoginseng from different localities of Nepal under various conditions has now led to various type saponins contained in native plants possessing either type of root.