人参皂苷是一系列属于原人参二醇(PPD)的糖基化三萜类化合物,原参三醇(PPT)-,奥科替洛(OCT)和齐墩果烷(OA)型皂苷被称为人参属的活性化合物。它们在植物根部积累,茎,叶子,和鲜花。人参皂苷的含量和组成在不同的人参品种中存在差异,在某种植物的不同部位。在这次审查中,我们总结了具有代表性的皂苷结构,它们在近20种人参中的分布和含量,并更新了人参皂苷的生物合成途径,重点是负责结构多样化人参皂苷生物合成的酶。我们还强调了人参皂苷生物合成中的转录因子和非编码RNA在人参属植物生长中的作用。并重点介绍了目前人参皂苷生产的三大生物技术应用。这项审查涵盖了过去四十年的进展,为某些人参植物的化学鉴别和评估提供更多线索,合理评价和利用人参资源的新视角,以及特定人参皂苷生产的潜在策略。
Ginsenosides are a series of glycosylated triterpenoids which belong to protopanaxadiol (PPD)-, protopanaxatriol (PPT)-, ocotillol (OCT)- and oleanane (OA)-type saponins known as active compounds of Panax genus. They are accumulated in plant roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. The content and composition of ginsenosides are varied in different ginseng species, and in different parts of a certain plant. In this review, we summarized the representative saponins structures, their distributions and the contents in nearly 20 Panax species, and updated the biosynthetic pathways of ginsenosides focusing on enzymes responsible for structural diversified ginsenoside biosynthesis. We also emphasized the transcription factors in ginsenoside biosynthesis and non-coding RNAs in the growth of Panax genus plants, and highlighted the current three major biotechnological applications for ginsenosides production. This review covered advances in the past four decades, providing more clues for chemical discrimination and assessment on certain ginseng plants, new perspectives for rational evaluation and utilization of ginseng resource, and potential strategies for production of specific ginsenosides.