Analysis of the action characteristics of Panax ginseng and American ginseng based on chemical composition profiles and glucose metabolism regulation

Differences in efficacy and molecular mechanisms between Panax ginseng (PG) and American ginseng (AG) against insulin resistance (IR) were explored. Their saponin compositions were analysed via UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap/MS. An IR HepG2 cell model was adopted to assess glucose metabolism, inflammatory factors and the IRS-1/Akt pathway, and CB-Dock2 molecular docking was used to verify ginsenoside-target binding. A total of 53 ginsenosides were identified, among which 16 were differential components. Both PG and AG alleviated glucose metabolic disorders in IR cells: PG increased glucose consumption by 93.2% and glycogen content by 142.4%, while AG increased glucose consumption by 80.6% and glycogen content by 112.6%. PG showed superior effects on glycogen synthesis, whereas AG more effectively inhibited IL-6 by 22.2% and TNF- α by 16.6% and elevated Akt phosphorylation. Molecular docking revealed that PG exerted strong single-target binding, whereas AG achieved stable multi-target synergistic binding. Their distinct mechanisms provide evidence for their differentiated application in functional foods and precision nutrition.