Objective: To compare the difference of macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and total saponin content between wild and cultivated product of Panax japonicus from the west of Hubei province.
Methods: Cleared the difference of wild and cultivated product of Panax japonicus by macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of powder and transversection and determined the content of total sponin by the vanillin-perchloric acid.
Results: Compared with cultivated product, in medicinal properties, the wild one was darker, with shorter diameter and rougher surface. In microscopic features, wild product had pigment, while the cultivated one had none; Moreover, the calcium oxalate crystal were more and the xylem bigger in wild product. As for total saponins, cultivated product had more total ginsenosides than the wild one.
Conclusion: There are certain differences in macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and total ginsenosides between wild and cultivated product of Panax japonicus.