Yin and Yang of ginseng pharmacology: ginsenosides vs gintonin

Abstract

Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic herb that provides many beneficial effects. Pharmacologic studies in the last decades have shown that ginsenosides (ginseng saponins) are primarily responsible for the actions of ginseng. However, the effects of ginseng are not fully explained by ginsenosides. Recently, another class of active ingredients called gintonin was identified. Gintonin is a complex of glycosylated ginseng proteins containing lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) that are the intracellular lipid mitogenic mediator. Gintonin specifically and potently activates the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for LPA. Thus, the actions of ginseng are now also linked to LPA and its GPCRs. This linkage opens new dimensions for ginseng pharmacology and LPA therapeutics. In the present review, we evaluate the pharmacology of ginseng with the traditional viewpoint of Yin and Yang components. Furthermore, we will compare ginsenoside and gintonin based on the modern view of molecular pharmacology in terms of ion channels and GPCRs.

Roles and mechanisms of ginsenoside in cardiovascular diseases: progress and perspectives

“…The pharmacological effects of other ginseng components are rarely addressed (Im and Nah, 2013). Ginseng holds great promise for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, with many potential applications.…”

Nrf2 pathway activation contributes to anti-fibrosis effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in a rat model of alcohol- and CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis

“…The traditional beneficial effects of ginseng are replenishment of vital energy, longevity and mood elevation [15] . The molecular constituents responsible for the action of ginseng are ginsenosides, among which, Rg1 is the most abundant and active ingredient of P ginseng [14,16] .…”

Ginsenoside compound K suppresses the abnormal activation of T lymphocytes in mice with collagen-induced arthritis

“…Meyer, Family Arawww.nature.com/aps Liu KK et al Acta Pharmacologica Sinica npg liaceae) is frequently used as a crude substance in Asian countries in food products and as a medicinal ingredient [15,16] . Ginsenosides, the major components of ginseng, exhibit various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-dementia, and anti-tumor effects [17][18][19] .…”