Protective Effects and Network Analysis of Ginsenoside Rb1 Against Cerebral Ischemia Injury: A Pharmacological Review

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Currently, only a limited number of drugs are available for treating ischemic stroke. Hence, studies aiming to explore and develop other potential strategies and agents for preventing and treating ischemic stroke are urgently needed. Ginseng Rb1 (GRb1), a saponin from natural active ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), exerts neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system (CNS). We conducted this review to explore and summarize the protective effects and mechanisms of GRb1 on cerebral ischemic injury, providing a valuable reference and insights for developing new agents to treat ischemic stroke. Our summarized results indicate that GRb1 exerts significant neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemic injury both in vivo and in vitro, and these network actions and underlying mechanisms are mediated by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities and involve the inhibition of excitotoxicity and Ca2+ influx, preservation of blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and maintenance of energy metabolism. These findings indicate the potential of GRb1 as a candidate drug for treating ischemic stroke. Further studies, in particular clinical trials, will be important to confirm its therapeutic value in a clinical setting.

Bioactive natural compounds as potential medications for osteogenic effects in a molecular docking approach

“…Thus, among the compounds with similar gene expression signatures of icariin administration, we identified another natural compound, ginsenoside Rb1. Ginsenoside Rb1, the effective ingredient of ginseng, was found to have multiple bioactive features, such as antitumor, immunoregulation, antioxidative, and neuroprotective effects ( Zhou et al, 2019 ; Ahmed et al, 2016 ; Xie et al, 2021 ). We used pharmacological network analysis and molecular docking to predict the pharmacological effect of ginsenoside Rb1, and found that it is concentrated on osteogenesis and angiogenesis and partial to angiogenesis.…”

Progress of Ginsenoside Rb1 in neurological disorders

“…GsRb1 can also boost mitochondrial membrane potential, protect the normal oxidative stress function of mitochondria, and maintain the integrity of mitochondrial function, all of which reduce mitochondrial damage in various neurons ( Cheng et al, 2019 ). GsRb1 also inhibits the primary ROS source in vivo and lowers ROS generation by negatively regulating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX)-1, NOX-2, and NOX-4 activity following ischemia ( Dong et al, 2017 ; Xie et al, 2021 ).…”

Recent Advances in Chinese Herbal Medicine for Cerebral Ischemic Reperfusion Injury

“…Recent research indicates that ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1) prevents neurotoxicity by blocking Ca 2+ over-influx into neuronal cells to elevate intracellular Ca 2+ concentration in both MCAO/R-induced rats and OGD/R-induced neuronal cells (Zhang et al, 2013;He et al, 2014;Sun et al, 2014). Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) exerts significant neuroprotective effects on CI/IR both in vivo and in vitro, and these network actions and underlying mechanisms are mediated by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities and involve the inhibition of excitotoxicity and Ca 2+ influx, preservation of BBB integrity, and maintenance of energy metabolism (Xie et al, 2021). Ginsenoside F1 (GF1) promotes angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo by activating the insulin-like growth factor 1/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1/IGF1R) signaling pathway (whose axis is Gastrodia elata Blume [Orchidaceae; Gastrodiae rhizome] is a famous CHM that has been traditionally used for the treatment and prevention of CI/RI for centuries (Liu et al, 2018).…”