Structural and functional properties of Panax ginseng (Araliaceae) glycosides and their analogues. VII. Influence of betulafolientriol and related compounds on Cucumis sativus L. seedling root growth.

The effects of P. ginseng triterpenoids of the dammarane series (betulafolientriol, 12-ketone of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol and its 3,20-diglucoside, and epoxydammarane triols and their triglucosides) on the growth of the main roots of C. sativus seedlings were studied. Betulafolientriol and 12-ketone of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol at 100 mg/ml had weak inhibitory effects on root growth. The inhibitory effects of the compounds on root growth depended on the chemical structure of these compounds. Triols with cyclized side chain did not have significant effects on root growth, unlike triols which had an open side chain.