Biotransformation of umbelliferone by Panax ginseng root cultures

Panax ginseng root cultures biotransformed umbelliferone (1) to its 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), 7-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→6) β-d-glucopyranoside (3), 7-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl (1→6) β-d-glucopyranoside (4) and 7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2) β-d-glucopyranoside (5). The roots showed high glycosylation ability to the 7-hydroxycoumarin molecule. The glycosylation was catalyzed by glycosyltransferase rather than glycosidase, as was demonstrated by administration of inhibitors.