Research progress on chemical diversity of saponins in Panax ginseng

Saponins, the major bioactive components of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., are gradually emerging as research hotspots owing to the possession of various pharmacological activities. This review updates the ginsenosides list from P. ginseng and the steam-processed ginseng (red ginseng and black ginseng) up to 271 by June of 2024, encompassing 243 saponins from different parts of P. ginseng (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, berries, and seeds), 103 from red ginseng, and 65 from black ginseng, respectively. Among 271 saponins, there are a total of 249 (1–249) dammarane type (with a–z subtypes) tetracyclic triterpene saponins reported from each part of P. ginseng and steam-processed ginseng, two (250–251) lanostane type tetracyclic triterpene saponins identified from red ginseng, 18 (252–269) oleanane type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins discovered from each part of P. ginseng and steam-processed ginseng, and two (270–271) ursane type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins reported from red ginseng. Overall, this review expounds on the chemical diversity of ginsenosides in various aspects, such as chemical structure, spatial distribution and subtype comparison, processed products, and transformation. This facilitates more in-depth research on ginsenosides and contributes to the future development of ginseng.