Transcriptomic strategy provides molecular insights into the growth and ginsenosides accumulation of Panax ginseng

Zhan et al., 2025 | Phytomedicine | Systematic Review

Citation

Zhan Zhonggen, Zhang Jue, ... Huang Jiaxin. Transcriptomic strategy provides molecular insights into the growth and ginsenosides accumulation of Panax ginseng. Phytomedicine. 2025-Jul-25;143:156834. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156834

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, a well-known phytomedicine has been widely used in traditional medicine for centuries. However, its quality and yield are heavily influenced by environmental conditions and cultivation years. For example, ginsenosides as the primary active component of ginseng, the concentration increased with the age of the roots and unevenly distributed across different tissues. Recently, transcriptomic technologies have provided powerful tools for revealing the relationship between gene expression and ginsenoside accumulation during ginseng growth, and researches in this field is continuously expanding, influencing the quality and sustainability of ginseng cultivation. PURPOSE: Investigating the relationship between ginseng growth and the accumulation of active components may provide new insights for improving ginseng performance and medicinal value. This requires a systematic review and in-depth discussion of relevant research. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This article reviews the application of transcriptomic strategies in studying the molecular mechanisms of ginseng growth and ginsenoside accumulation. A literature search and analysis were conducted using keywords such as "Panax ginseng" and "transcriptomics/transcriptome," along with terms including "ginsenoside biosynthesis," "microbe/microorganism," "RNA-seq," "cultivation years," "rhizosphere," and "stress." RESULT: Our study focuses on the transcriptome strategy provides molecular insights into the growth and ginsenosides accumulation of Panax ginseng, we summarized and discussed the dynamic changes in gene expression across cultivation years, specific-tissue, environmental stress, and imbalance of rhizosphere microbes during the ginseng growth and ginsenosides accumulation process. In addition, we also highlight future directions. CONCLUSION: The cultivation years, specific-tissue, environmental stress, and rhizosphere microbiome imbalance of Panax ginseng are indirectly or directly involved in plant health, biomass production, and the synthesis of ginsenosides. Harnessing these factors to improve the quality and yield of ginseng holds great promise.

Key Findings

The cultivation years, specific-tissue, environmental stress, and rhizosphere microbiome imbalance of Panax ginseng are indirectly or directly involved in plant health, biomass production, and the synthesis of ginsenosides. Harnessing these factors to improve the quality and yield of ginseng holds great promise.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Ginsenosides
  • Panax
  • Plant Roots
  • Transcriptome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: ginseng

Provenance


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09