BioScience Trends. 2018;12(3):114-121. (DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2018.01010)

Increase in the hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity of Panax ginseng and ginsenosides by heat-processing.

Park CH, Choi JS, Yokozawa T

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae), mainly cultivated in Korea and Northeast China, is processed before use based on its long history of ethnopharmacological evidence. Ginsenosides have been regarded as the main active components responsible for the pharmacological activities of ginseng. Although the Maillard reaction is known as a major source of compounds related to enhanced antioxidant activity by heat treatment in various crude drugs or foods, the chemical and free radical-scavenging activity changes of ginsenosides brought about by the Maillard reaction have not yet been elucidated. This paper gives a review of our recent findings, with emphasis on the hydroxyl radical (

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