Antitumour compsn. contg. Panax saponin - esp. from Panax ginseng

摘要

Antitumour compsn. contains as active ingredient a saponin substance from the underground parts of plants of the genus Panax (Araliaceae), pref. P. japonicum, P. quinquefolium, P. pseudoginseng, P. notoginseng or esp. P. ginseng. Esp. the active ingredients are of formulae (I) or (II): (where R1 is Q-(1 right arrow 2)-Q-; R2 is Q-(1 right arrow 6)-Q-, alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 right arrow 6)-Q-, alpha-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 right arrow 6)-Q-, L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 right arrow 6)-Q- or Q-; Q is beta-D-glucopyranosyl; R3 is alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 right arrow 2)-Q-, Q-(1 right arrow 2)-Q-, Q- or pyranosyl; R5 is H or Q). The extracts are useful in human and veterinary medicine against tumours. They have no side effects and very low toxicity.