Synthesis of a biologically active fluorescent derivative of GM1, a main Ginseng saponin metabolite formed by intestinal bacteria.

A fluorescent derivative of GM1 [20-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol], a main Ginseng saponin metabolite formed by intestinal bacteria, was obtained from the condensation of its trisnor-aldehyde derivative with dansyl hydrazine. The dansylated GM1 fluoresced strongly and showed almost the same properties as its parent compound in lipophilicity and biological activities, so this fluorescent compound might provide an insight into the mechanism of pharmacological activities of GM1.