Mechanism of sodium nitroprusside regulating ginseng quality

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Panax ginseng (ginseng) is a traditional medicinal herb valued for its active components, saponins.
• Ecological stress influences ginseng quality by regulating secondary metabolism via reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Nitric oxide (NO) donors, like sodium nitroprusside (SNP), can modulate plant stress responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of SNP treatment on the quality of fresh ginseng roots.
• To evaluate the impact of SNP on ginsenoside biosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activity.
• To assess the anti-aging efficacy of SNP-treated ginseng in a mouse model.

Main Methods:

• Exposure of 5-year-old ginseng roots to varying concentrations of SNP (0.1, 0.5, 2 mmol/L) for 5 consecutive days.
• Measurement of ROS, lipid peroxidation (MDA), antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POD, APX, GR), and metabolite levels (AsA, GSH/GSSG).
• Analysis of key enzyme activities in the ginsenoside synthesis pathway and ginsenoside content using HPLC; evaluation of anti-aging effects via Morris water maze and oxidative stress markers in mice.

Main Results:

• SNP treatment significantly increased ROS, MDA, and antioxidant enzyme activities in ginseng roots.
• Optimal SNP concentrations (0.5 mmol/L for main roots, 0.1 mmol/L for fibrous roots) markedly enhanced ginsenoside biosynthesis pathway enzymes and increased various ginsenoside contents.
• SNP-treated ginseng demonstrated improved memory function and reduced oxidative stress in mice compared to untreated ginseng.

Conclusions:

• SNP treatment effectively simulates ecological stress, activating antioxidant defenses and boosting secondary metabolite production in ginseng.
• SNP significantly improves the quality and ginsenoside content of fresh ginseng roots.
• SNP-treated ginseng exhibits enhanced efficacy, suggesting potential anti-aging benefits.