Nitrogen Compounds of Korea ginseng and Their Physiological Significance

고려인삼의 함질소 화합물과 생리학적 중요성

Nitrogen compounds of Panax ginseng and their biological activities in plant and animal were reviewed. Major nitrogen combounds found in P. ginseng are free amino acids, Water soluble teins, insoluble proteins and peptides. Minor nitrogen compounds are dencichine. glycol)roteins. amines, alkaloides, methoxy or alkyl pyrazine derivatives. free nucleosides and nllrleir arid bases. 4-me- thymi-5-thiazoleethanol and pyroglutamic acid. The contents of total nitrogen and protein in root increased until 13 years old rvhich was the highest age tinder investigation. Soluble protein content increased With the root weight and was higher in xylem pith than cortex-epidermis indicating the rlosc relation with root growth. Arginine which covered 58% of total free amino aroids may serve as a storage nitrogen. Arginine seems to be changed into proline in rhizome, threonine in stem and again threoning and arginine in leaf. The greater the root weight the higher the polyaminc content. Polyamine stimulated the growth of root callus. Physiological roles of other minor nitrogen compounds are unknown although dencichine content is relatively high (0.5% d.w.). biochemical and pharmatological activities of some nitrogen compounds for animal were more investigated than physiological roll iota plant itself. Radiation and U.V. protective function (heat stable protein), insulin-like activity in lipogenesis and lipolysis (adenosine and pyroglutamic acid), depression of blood sugar content (glycopeptide). hemostatir and nellrotoxic activity (denrichine) and. sedative and hypnotic activity (4-methyl-5-thiazoleethilnol) are reported. Heat stable protein increased with root age. The traditional quality critsria appear to be well in accordance with biological activities of nitrogen compounds. Chemical stlldies of nitrogen compounds seem relatively rare, probably dole to difficulty of isolation, subsequently the investigations of biological activities are little.