Lipid Membranes as Key Targets for the Pharmacological Actions of Ginsenosides

Abstract

In this review, we will focus on the activity of ginsenosides on membranes and their related effects, from physicochemical, biophysical, and pharmacological viewpoints. Ginsenosides are a class of saponins with a large structural diversity and a wide range of pharmacological effects. These effects can at least partly be related to their activity on membranes which results from their amphiphilic character. Some ginsenosides are able to interact with membrane lipids and associate into nanostructures, making them possible adjuvants for vaccines. They are able to modulate membrane biophysical properties such as membrane fluidity, permeability or the formation of lateral domains with some degree of specificity towards certain cell types such as bacteria, fungi, or cancer cells. In addition, they have shown antioxidant properties which protect membranes from lipid oxidation. They further displayed some activity on membrane proteins either through direct or indirect interaction. We investigate the structure activity relationship of ginsenosides on membranes and discuss the implications and potential use as anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal agents.

Impact of Alcoholic and Aqueous Extracts of Annona Muricata on the Growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Isolates

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“…A few decades ago, possible interaction between natural saponins (quillaja saponins) and proteins (casein and soy proteins) and their influence on blood lipids, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, was established [53]. Recently, it has been shown that Ginseng saponins, ginsenosides, bind to plasma lipid membranes to exert their pharmacological actions through the modulation of essential membrane proteins and the reorganisation of lipid bilayers [54]. As ginsenosides suppress cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and inhibit efflux pumps, these saponins could be considered as candidates for anticancer and antimicrobial drug development [55].…”