School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Microsc Res Tech. 2023 Sep;86(9):1197-1205. doi: 10.1002/jemt.24393. Epub 2023 Jul 28.
Panax ginseng, a slow-growing perennial herb, is the most praised and popular traditional medicinal herb. Mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) and cultivated ginseng (CG) both belong to Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. The market price and medical effects of this popular health product are closely related to its age. It is widely acknowledged that CG is typically harvested after 4-6 years of growth, but MCG is often collected after 10 years. Until now, the age identification of MCG or mountain wild ginseng (MWG) has remained a major challenge. In this study, we established a novel and rapid method for staining xylem vessels with phloroglucinol and identifying the "annual growth rings" of ginseng by utilizing a stereoscope, which serves as a reliable indicator of the age of MCG. Statistical analysis of the ring radius and the ring density of MCG aged from 1 to 20 years shows that the secondary xylem of MCG increases rapidly in the first 3 years but then gradually slows down from 4 to 10 years, and minor fluctuation is observed in the next 10 years. Meanwhile, the space between the growth rings (ring density) becomes increasingly small with age. This straightforward staining approach can reveal the age of MCG with remarkable clarity and can distinguish MCG from CG. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: A novel rapid staining method for Panax ginseng was established. The age of mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) can be identified by microscopic techniques. MCG and cultivated ginseng (CG) can be discriminated by microstructure characteristics.
人参，一种生长缓慢的多年生草本植物，是最受赞誉和流行的传统药用植物。人工种植的人参（MCG）和栽培人参（CG）都属于 Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer。这种受欢迎的保健品的市场价格和医疗效果与其年龄密切相关。人们普遍认为，CG 通常在生长 4-6 年后收获，而 MCG 通常在 10 年后收获。到目前为止，MCG 或山参（MWG）的年龄鉴定仍然是一个主要挑战。在这项研究中，我们建立了一种用间苯三酚染色木质部导管并利用立体显微镜识别人参“年生长轮”的新快速方法，这是鉴定 MCG 年龄的可靠指标。对 1 至 20 年生 MCG 的环半径和环密度进行统计分析表明，MCG 的次生木质部在前 3 年迅速增加，但从第 4 年到第 10 年逐渐放缓，在接下来的 10 年中观察到轻微波动。同时，生长轮之间的空间（环密度）随年龄的增长而逐渐减小。这种简单直接的染色方法可以清晰地显示 MCG 的年龄，并可以将 MCG 与 CG 区分开来。研究亮点：建立了一种鉴定人参的新型快速染色方法。通过显微技术可以鉴定出人参的年龄。通过微观结构特征可以区分出人工种植的人参和栽培人参。
