A comprehensive review on chemical structure, quality control, pharmacological effects, and structure-activity relationship of saponins from Zhuzishen ().

Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) is the dried rhizome and root of Panax japonicus C.A. Meyer. var major (Burk.) C.Y. Wu et K.M. Feng or Panax japonicus Meyer. Var. bipinnatifidus (Seem.) C.Y. Wu et K.M. Feng, which belongs to the Araliaceae family and corresponds to liver, lung and stomach meridians. The main active ingredients of Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) are triterpenoid saponins, consisting of pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins and tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins. Saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including the protection of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, central nervous system, and liver, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. Current research indicated that the pharmacological mechanism of triterpenoid saponins is closely related to their chemical structure, signaling pathways and expression of related proteins. To further study the pharmacological effects of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris), this review systematically summarizes their chemical structure, quality control, pharmacological effects, and structure-activity relationship of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris), which provide a reference for further research and to promote the extensive application of saponins from Zhuzishen (Rhizoma Panacis Majoris) in the pharmaceutical field.