Ginsenosides: A Potential Neuroprotective Agent

Abstract

Ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of pharmacological activities. Ginsenosides are the major constituents of ginseng. Ginsenosides have the unique biological activity and medicinal value, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, and inhibition of cell apoptosis. With the increase of stress in life, the incidence of nervous system diseases is also increasing. Neurological diseases pose a huge burden on people's life and health. In recent years, some studies have shown that ginsenosides have a certain role in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. However, the research is still in its infancy, and the relevant mechanisms are complex. In the paper, we review the effects and mechanisms of ginsenosides on epilepsy, depression, cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. We hope to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of nervous system diseases by ginsenosides.

Ginsenoside Rf relieves mechanical hypersensitivity, depression‐like behavior, and inflammatory reactions in chronic constriction injury rats

“…It is controversial whether ginsenosides are permeable to the blood–brain barrier (Kang et al, ; H. J. Kim et al, ). But numerous studies have confirmed that systemic application of ginsenosides (intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and oral) not only has antinoceciptive effect but also has anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in various neurological diseases (H. J. Kim et al, ; M. K. Kim et al, ; Mogil et al, ; Nemmani & Ramarao, ; Zheng et al, ), suggesting that ginsenosides have a regulatory effect on the central nervous system. But the mysteries behind this remain elusive.…”

“…Ginsenosides are the major bioactive ingredients of ginseng mainly responsible for ginseng's beneficial effects (Zheng et al, ). Many studies in rodents suggest that ginsenosides have antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties and are effective to treat several neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.…”

“…To date, approximately 40 ginsenosides have been identified. The pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of different ginsenosides differ depending on their ginsenoside monomers (Nag et al, ; Zheng et al, ). Several ginsenosides, such as Rb1, Rc, Rd, Rf, Rg1, and Rg3, have been suggested to differentially modulate pain behaviors in various pain animal models (Choi, Han, Han, Lee, & Suh, ; Park et al, ; Shin et al, ; Yoon et al, ).…”

Mechanisms of Panax ginseng action as an antidepressant

“…Among them, ginsenosides are considered to be major active ingredients of ginseng physiological activity, which have impacts on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune system and so on. 19 On the basis of different chemical structures of their aglycons, ginsenosides can be classified into three main types: protopanaxadiols (PPDs), protopanaxatriols (PPTs) and oleanolic acids. PPD-type includes ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc and Rd, while PPT-type includes ginsenosides Rg1, Rg2, Rf and Re.…”

Ameliorating impacts of ginseng on the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and sperm quality in temporal lobe epilepsy rat model treated with valproate

“…It facilitates libido, mating performance and erectile dysfunction, and improves sperm quality and testosterone levels (Jang, Lee, Shin, Lee, & Ernst, ). Ginseng has been used to treat CNS diseases with positive outcomes (Zheng et al, ). A few studies examined the ameliorating effects of ginseng on epileptic patients and/or antiepileptic medications (Suleymanova, Gulyaev, & Chepurnova, ).…”