Separating Protopanaxdiol Saponin from Ginsenosides

Ginsenosides, induding protopanaxdiol, protopanaxtriol and oleanonic acid, are mainactive substances in ginseng. Protopanaxdiol can be converted to produce Ginsenoside Rg3 whichis higher in activity. In order to obtain more and pure Rg3, separation of ginsenosides by the silicagel column is studied. It is found that three kinds of solvent systems can successfully separatingprotopanaxtriol saponin from ginsenosides. Their productions of protopanoxdiol saponin (including oleanolic acid saponin) are 23. 5 %, 35. 3 % and 25. 6 %. Since Oleanolic acid saPOnin don' treact with acid and the protopanoxdiol, saponin can be hydrolysiz ed to Rg3 by acid, the protopanoxdiol saponin (including oleanolic acid saponin) is taken to react with acid 1. 1g protopanaxdiol saponin can pruduce 0. 3g Rg3. It is possible to get planty of ginsenoside Rg3, by using this method.