## 1 Introduction  
Plant secondary metabolites (PSM) regulate numerous physiological processes such as plant development and plant adaptation to the environment. PSM often play an important role in plant defense against pathogens and abiotic stress factors. Some of these metabolites may constitute a chemical barrier, while others demonstrate a function in signaling processes related to plant protection [1, 2]. In addition, secondary metabolites, i.e., alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics (e.g., simple phenolics, coumarins, tannins, lignans, and flavonoids) saponins, terpenes, and essential oils, have therapeutic potential, showing multidirectional pharmacological activities [3, 4]. Ginsenosides--triterpene saponins isolated from ginseng--are an example of PSM, whose biological activity has been confirmed by many studies. Experiments, conducted both in vitro and in vivo, proved the effectiveness of ginseng extracts on the body's metabolism and psychophysical performance restoring body homeostasis. Ginseng affects the functions of organs and systems (nervous, hormonal,cardiovascular, immune, and digestive) at the cellular level [5]. Saponins, contained in ginseng, regulate the permeability of cell membranes. They modify cell membranes' structure by reacting with specific proteins, and, thus, they can influence the activity of membrane receptors, enzymes, and ion channels [6]. Ginsenosides, being glycoside compounds, consist of a non-sugar part--aglycone--and a sugar chain or chains. There are three types of aglycones in the chemical structure of ginsengides: aglycones of the tetracyclic dammarane type (the most important ones include derivatives of 20(S)-protopanaxadiod (PPD) and 20(S)-protopanaxatrid (PPT)), aglycones of the pentacyclic oleanolic acid type, and aglycones of the tetracyclic occotild type. The sugar part of saponins most often includes hexoses (glucose and galactose), 6-deoxyhexoses (furanose and rhamno), pentoses (arabinose and xylose), and uronic acids (glucuron acid) [7]. They usually occur in a cyclic form and form hemicated bonds with aglycone. Ginsenosides, consisting of 17 carbon atoms in a four-ring structure with various sugar residues attached to the C-3, C-6, and C-20 positions, are mostly glycosidic derivatives of dammaran (Figure 1). The main ginsenosides are divided into two types: 20(S)-protopanaxadiod derivatives and 20(S)-protopanaxatrid derivatives. PPD derivatives include metabolites such as Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Rg3, and Rh2. These are referred to as ginsenosides of the Rb group (RbG). PPT derivatives include panaxosides Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, Rh1, F1, and F3. In contrast, these compounds are referred to as ginsenosides of the Rg group (RgG) [7]. In addition, several rare ginsenosides have been identified, such as occuillol saponin, represented by F11 (24-R-pseudoginsenoside) or majoroside R2, and pentacyclic oleanate saponin Ro [8; 9]. The biosynthesis of secondary metabolites can be stimulated by applying elicitors. Elicitors are chemical compounds from various sources or physical factors that can induce defensive reactions in plants, leading to enhanced synthesis and the more effective accumulation of secondary metabolites [10]. The exact molecular mechanism of elicitors that affects cell metabolism is still the subject of research by many scientific centers (Figure 2). It is considered that, at first, the elicitor connects to the receptor located on the surface of the cell, by means of which the cell recognizes the type of signal and generates a response. This process is followed by a number of subsequent changes: the reversible phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins associated with the membrane, cytosol, and Ca\({}^{2+}\) ion channel and the efflux of chloride and potassium ions, which, in turn, results in the extracellular alkalinization and acidity of the cytoplasm.