Xi Yang Shen (Panax pseudoginseng)

Xi Yang Shen (Panax pseudoginseng, commonly known as Sanqi or Notoginseng) is not consumed as a macronutrient food source but valued for its bioactive phytochemical profile. Key Bioactive Compounds: • Dammarane-type saponins (collectively called Panax notoginseng saponins, PNS): Total saponin content approximately 8–12% of dried root weight. Major individual saponins include: – Ginsenoside Rg1 (~1.5–3.5% of root dry weight) – Ginsenoside Rb1 (~1.5–3.0% of root dry weight) – Notoginsenoside R1 (~0.5–1.8% of root dry weight) – Ginsenoside Rd, Re, Rg2, and Rh1 present in smaller quantities (~0.1–0.5% each). • Flavonoids: Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides present in trace amounts (~0.02–0.1%). • Polysaccharides: Sanqi polysaccharides (PNPS) approximately 3–5% of dried root; primarily composed of arabinose, galactose, and glucuronic acid residues; may have immunomodulatory activity. • Dencichine (β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid): A non-protein amino acid present at approximately 0.5–1.0% of dried root; believed to be the primary hemostatic (blood-stopping) active compound. • Phytosterols: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and daucosterol in minor concentrations (~0.05–0.2%). • Volatile oils: Trace amounts (<0.1%) including sesquiterpenes and polyacetylenes (e.g., panaxynol, panaxydol). • Minerals (per 100 g dried root, approximate): Iron ~5–15 mg, Calcium ~50–120 mg, Potassium ~200–400 mg, Manganese ~2–5 mg, Zinc ~1–3 mg; values vary significantly with soil and cultivation conditions. • Amino acids: Contains various free amino acids in small quantities (~1–3% total); includes arginine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid. Macronutrient context (per 100 g dried root, approximate): Carbohydrates ~60–70 g (largely starch and polysaccharides), Protein ~5–10 g, Fat ~1–3 g, Crude fiber ~3–8 g, Moisture ~8–12%. Caloric value is largely irrelevant as typical medicinal doses are only 1–9 g/day. Bioavailability Notes: Oral bioavailability of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 is notably low (~2–5% in animal studies) due to extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism and gut microbial deglycosylation. Ginsenoside Rb1 is converted by intestinal bacteria into compound K (a more bioavailable active metabolite). Notoginsenoside R1 similarly undergoes significant gut metabolism. Dencichine has relatively higher oral absorption. Co-administration with food or lipid-based formulations may modestly improve saponin absorption. Processing method (raw vs. steamed) significantly alters the saponin profile—steaming converts ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 into less glycosylated forms (Rg3, Rk1, Rg5) which may have different bioactivity and bioavailability.