Advances in Ginsenoside Rh2 and Its Derivatives

Ginsenoside Rh2, one of the characteristic components in red ginseng (roots steamed at 98-100 °C without peeling), is a rare ginsenoside with potential bioactivity. The preparation of ginsenoside Rh2 was studied by using acid hydrolysis, alkaline hydrolysis, synthesis and biotransformation techniques. Microbial and enzymatic transformations were regarded as the optimization methods of all these techniques, owing to their high specificity, yield and productivity. The pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside Rh2 and its derivatives were extensively researched. In this paper, their preparation and activities have been reviewed, which can provide information for the research and development of ginsenoside Rh2.