人参皂苷是人参的主要活性成分，人参皂苷具有许多药理作用，其益智作用是其药理作用的重要方面。在各种皂苷中，以人参皂苷Rg₁和Rb₁的量最高。综述人参皂苷Rg₁、Rb₁对动物学习记忆行为的影响、动物不同脑区的作用、中枢神经递质的影响，以及对学习记忆相关信号通路的作用，总结人参皂苷Rg₁、Rb₁的益智作用，并对其代谢产物的益智作用进行简要介绍。

As the main active ingredients of ginseng, ginsenosides have many pharmacologic effects, and the nootropic effects are the important pharmacologic action of ginsenosides. Among all of the ginsenosides, the contents of ginsenosides Rg₁ and Rb₁ are the highest. The nootropic effects of ginsenosides Rg₁, Rb₁, and their metabolites are summarized in this paper following four aspects: the effects of ginsenoside Rg₁ and Rb₁ on the animal behaviors, their effects on different brain regions in rodents, the effects on neurotransmitters, and their effects on signaling pathway on learning and memory. The nootropic effects of their metabolites are also mentioned.

国家自然科学基金资助项目（81001655）；中长期航天飞行所致应激损伤评价与防护关键技术研究（BWS11J052）；人参益智药效与基因/蛋白表达谱关联规律合作研究（2011DFA32730）