BACKGROUND: Ginsenosides, the primary active ingredients in Panax ginseng, are secondary metabolites. However, their content varies significantly across batches due to differences in environmental conditions and production methods. Ecological stress can increase the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants, and ROS can enhance secondary metabolism. Nitric oxide (NO) can promote the production of O RESULTS: Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, an NO donor) at 0.5 mmol·L CONCLUSION: Sodium nitroprusside enhances the physiological resilience of P. ginseng under stress and improves its quality. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.