Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has been used as a
representative tonic for over 2,000 yr in Far East countries, and
currently ginseng is one of the most famous and precious herbal
medicines consumed around the world [1]. Although ginseng exhibits
diverse pharmacological actions in vitro and in vivo, the
detailed mechanisms of its various efficacies are still elusive [2].
Ginseng might contain at least two components that are responsible
for its diverse medicinal effects. Ginseng saponins (or ginsenosides)
are one of the main active ingredients of ginseng. Ginseng
saponins are glycoside saponins and derivatives of triterpenoid
dammarane, which consists of 30 carbon atoms