Comparison of ginsenoside composition in native roots and cultured callus cells of Panax quinquefolium L.

In order to compare the ginsenoside composition in native Panax quinquefolium and in suspension cultured cells derived from root callus, HPLC–ESI-MSⁿ analysis was performed. Under the present HPLC–ESI-MSⁿ conditions, ten ginsenosides from native root were acquired in the positive and negative ion modes, namely Rg₁, Re, Ro, malonyl-Rb₁, Rf, Rb₁, Rc, Rb₂, Rb₃ and Rd. Only four ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf and Rb1) were identified from callus cells. Radical scavenging activity of P. quinquefolium callus cells with 250 mg l^?1 methanolic extract on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was 55.72 %, while only 6.31 % DPPH inhibition was obtained in native root.