The main active ingredients in the Panax species are a group of dammarane-type triterpenoid glycosides.  They are referred to as  saponins.  And termed ginsenosides.  In Russia they are termed Panaxosides.  These are in the ginseng root.  There are more than thirty ginsenosides.  One of them is an oleanolic acid derivative.

It is the type and composition of the ginsenosides which give their different qualities.  There are eight main ginsenosides and the composition in American and Asian is quite different.  There are many more ginsenosides in American ginseng than there are in Asian ginseng.  The most abundant ginsenoside in both species is ginsenoside Rb1.  This ginsenoside is reported to have a sedative effect.  Ginsenoside Rg1 is said to have a stimulant effect.  The levels of Rg1 in Asian ginseng are much higher than in American ginseng.  Asian ginseng also contains ginsenosides Rf and Rg2, whereas American ginseng is virtually devoid of these ginsenosides.  Pseudoginsenoside F11 is noted in American ginseng, but it is almost absent from Asian ginseng. ^[13]

 “The root of ginseng contains a resin, sugar, starch, mucilage, a saponin, a volatile oil and several steroid compounds.”  ^[14]

Ginsenosides , as noted in the medicinal properties, are powerful adaptogens.  Also containing strong antioxidant components they help the body to recover from stress, fatigue and illness.    Saponins are  anti inflammatory, analgesic, anticonvulsant and they also help to regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Panaxtriol is one of several steroid compounds found in ginseng. These compounds are remarkably similar to anabolic steroids which are found in the human body.  This suggests a safe alternative for athletes to use, instead of synthetic steroids.