Structural and enhanced memory activity studies of extracts from Panax ginseng root

The aim of this paper is to study low molecular mass carbohydrate polymer from Panax ginseng root. The aqueous extracts of P. ginseng root were loaded onto a macroporous resin, then forced through a Cellulose Super Filtration System, and loaded onto a Carbon–Celite column and eluted with water, 5% ethanol, 30% ethanol and 95% ethanol. To determine if 30% ethanol elution from a Carbon–Celite column could enhance memory in scopolamine-induced memory deficit rats, Mirros water maze task was used. The purification of the 30% ethanol elution was performed on Sephadex G-15 and Bio-gel P2 columns. GC–MS analysis of methylated derivatives as well as ESI-MS measurement were used for structural confirmation. Results showed that 30% ethanol elution could enhance memory in scopolamine-induced memory deficit rats with intraperitoneal administration. Oligosaccharides and peptides were isolated from 30% ethanol elution. The oligosaccharides were identified as maltose, maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose.