Pharmacokinetics of Ginsenoside Rb1, Rg3, Rk1, Rg5, F2, and Compound K from Red Ginseng Extract in Healthy Korean Volunteers

Systems Pharmacology to Explore the Potential Mechanism of Ginseng Against Heart Failure

The aim of this study is to elucidate the pharmacological mechanism underlying the effects of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (ginseng) in heart failure (HF), providing a theoretical foundation for its clinical application. The potential mechanism of ginseng in the context of HF was investigated using systems pharmacology that combined network pharmacology, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) analysis, molecular docking, and experimental verification. Network pharmacology was employed to identify drug-disease targets. Core gene targets were subsequently subjected to enrichment analysis by integrating network pharmacology with GEO. Molecular docking was utilized to predict the binding affinities between identified targets and ginseng compounds. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of ginseng was validated in an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced rat model of HF. The modulation of key signaling pathways by ginseng was confirmed through Western blot analysis. A total of 154 potential targets of ginseng in the treatment of HF were identified through network pharmacology analysis. The analysis of GSE71613 revealed that the PI3K-Akt pathway, reactive oxygen species, oxidative phosphorylation, MAPK signaling, and Ras signaling pathways are predominantly associated with patients with HF. By integrating the findings from network pharmacology and GEO analysis, ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb3 were identified as the potential components in ginseng, while FN1 and PRKAA2 were recognized as key targets involved in the PI3K-AKT and AMPK pathways, respectively. Molecular docking analysis revealed a strong affinity between the potential components and the identified core targets. In vivo experiments indicated that the extract of ginseng (EPG) significantly ameliorated ISO-induced cardiac dysfunction by improving cardiac parameters such as cardiac left ventricular internal systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end systolic volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction, while also reducing malondialdehyde production. In addition, EPG was found to enhance superoxide dismutase activity and ATP levels, while concurrently reducing the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. The extract also reduced myocardial oxygen consumption, inflammatory cell infiltration, and the number of damaged myocardial fibers. Moreover, EPG was observed to upregulate the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-AMPK, and Bcl-2, while downregulating the expression of p-NFκB, TGF-β, and Bax. The therapeutic effects of ginseng on HF are primarily mediated through the PI3K-Akt and AMPK pathways. Ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb3 have been identified as potential therapeutic agents for HF.

Anti-Streptococcus mutans and anti-inflammatory effects of ginsenoside Compound K and enzyme-treated red ginseng extract (BTEX-K)

OBJECTIVES

Dental caries, or tooth decay, is an oral health issue worldwide. Oral healthcare researchers are considering how to develop safe and effective preventive measures and treatments for dental caries. This study evaluated the potential applications of Compound K and BTEX-K, a Compound K-rich red ginseng extract, for the prevention and treatment of dental caries. Moreover, this study briefly confirmed its inhibitory effect on inflammation, an important factor in dental health.

METHODS

The amount of organic acids produced by bacteria in biofilm was determined using in vitro and in vivo assays. The ability of these extracts to promote tooth remineralization and microhardness was evaluated using an in vivo mouse assay. We evaluated their anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine expression and lipopolysaccharide-induced nitrous oxide production in cell lines.

RESULTS

Compound K (10-20 μg/mL) and BTEX-K (50-100 μg/mL) effectively inhibited the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria, demonstrating significant antibacterial properties. They can potentially prevent biofilm formation by reducing lactic acid production in the teeth. These compounds showed a strong ability to promote tooth remineralization and improve the microhardness of acid-producing bacteria. They also possess potent anti-inflammatory properties that downregulate proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression, suppress nuclear factor-kappa B transcription factor activation (∼1.6 times), and reduce nitrous oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Compounds K and BTEX-K may provide a novel approach to dental caries prevention as well as inflammation prevention and treatment.

Effect of ginseng and ginsenosides on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a rapidly increasing neurodevelopmental disorder but currently available treatments are associated with abuse risk, side effects, and incomplete symptom relief. There is growing interest in exploring complementary options, and ginseng has gained attention for its therapeutic potential. This systematic review aimed to assess current evidence on the efficacy of ginseng and its active components, ginsenosides, for ADHD. Eligible studies were identified through searches of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, up to June 2023. The inclusion criteria included both human and animal studies that investigated the effects of ginseng or ginsenosides on ADHD. The risk of bias was assessed according to study type. Six human studies and three animal studies met the inclusion criteria. The results suggest that ginseng and ginsenosides may have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms, particularly inattention, through dopaminergic/norepinephrinergicmodulation and BDNF/TrkB signaling. Ginseng and ginsenosides have promising potential for ADHD treatment. Due to limitations in evidence quality, such as the risk of bias and variability in study designs, larger controlled studies are essential. Integrating ginseng into ADHD management may have valuable implications for individuals seeking well-tolerated alternatives or adjunctive therapies.

Structural Characters and Pharmacological Activity of Protopanaxadiol-Type Saponins and Protopanaxatriol-Type Saponins from Ginseng

Ginseng has a long history of drug application in China, which can treat various diseases and achieve significant efficacy. Ginsenosides have always been deemed important ingredients for pharmacological activities. Based on the structural characteristics of steroidal saponins, ginsenosides are mainly divided into protopanaxadiol-type saponins (PDS, mainly including Rb1, Rb2, Rd, Rc, Rh2, CK, and PPD) and protopanaxatriol-type saponins (PTS, mainly including Re, R1, Rg1, Rh1, Rf, and PPT). The structure differences between PDS and PTS result in the differences of pharmacological activities. This paper provides an overview of PDS and PTS, mainly focusing on their chemical profile, pharmacokinetics, hydrolytic metabolism, and pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antifatigue, antiaging, immunodulation, antitumor, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, and antidiabetes. It is intended to contribute to an in-depth study of the relationship between PDS and PTS.

Metabolism and drug interactions of Korean ginseng based on the pharmacokinetic properties of ginsenosides: Current status and future perspectives

Orally administered ginsenosides, the major active components of ginseng, have been shown to be biotransformed into a number of metabolites by gastric juice, digestive and bacterial enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract and also in the liver. Attention is brought to pharmacokinetic studies of ginseng that need further clarification to better understand the safety and possible active mechanism for clinical application. Experimental results demonstrated that ginsenoside metabolites play an important role in the pharmacokinetic properties such as drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters, thereby can be applied as a metabolic modulator. Very few are known on the possibility of the consistency of detected ginsenosides with real active metabolites if taken the recommended dose of ginseng, but they have been found to act on the pharmacokinetic key factors in any clinical trial, affecting oral bioavailability. Since ginseng is increasingly being taken in a manner more often associated with prescription medicines, ginseng and drug interactions have been also reviewed. Considering the extensive oral administration of ginseng, the aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview and perspectives of recent studies on the pharmacokinetic properties of ginsenosides such as deglycosylation, absorption, metabolizing enzymes and transporters, together with ginsenoside and drug interactions.

Ginsenoside Rg5 as an anticancer drug: a comprehensive review on mechanisms, structure-activity relationship, and prospects for clinical advancement

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the world. Despite the considerable success of conventional treatment strategies, the incidence and mortality rates are still high, making developing new effective anticancer therapies an urgent priority. Ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5) is a minor ginsenoside constituent obtained exclusively from ginseng species and is known for its broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. This article aimed to comprehensively review the anticancer properties of Rg5, focusing on action mechanisms, structure-activity relationship (SAR), and pharmacokinetics attributes. The in vitro and in vivo activities of Rg5 have been proven against several cancer types, such as breast, liver, lung, bone, and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The modulation of multiple signaling pathways critical for cancer growth and survival mediates these activities. Nevertheless, human clinical studies of Rg5 have not been addressed before, and there is still considerable ambiguity regarding its pharmacokinetics properties. In addition, a significant shortage in the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of Rg5 has been identified. Therefore, future efforts should focus on further optimization by performing extensive SAR studies to uncover the structural features essential for the potent anticancer activity of Rg5. Thus, this review highlights the value of Rg5 as a potential anticancer drug candidate and identifies the research areas requiring more investigation.

Progress of Ginsenoside Rb1 in neurological disorders

Ginseng is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat neurological disorders. The primary active component of ginseng is ginsenoside, which has been classified into more than 110 types based on their chemical structures. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GsRb1)-a protopanaxadiol saponin and a typical ginseng component-exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-autophagy properties in the nervous system. Neurological disorders remain a leading cause of death and disability globally. GsRb1 effectively treats neurological disorders. To contribute novel insights to the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacokinetics, actions, mechanisms, and research development of GsRb1 in neurological disorders.

Red Ginseng Attenuates the Hepatic Cellular Senescence in Aged Mice

Cellular senescence is defined as an irreversible cell cycle arrest accompanied by morphological and physiological alterations during aging. Red ginseng (RG), processed from fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) with a one-time steaming and drying process, is a well-known beneficial herbal medicine showing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. The current study aimed to investigate the benefits of RG in alleviating hepatic cellular senescence and its adverse effects in 19-month-old aged mice. We applied two different intervention methods and durations to compare RG's effects in a time-dependent manner: (1) oral gavage injection for 4 weeks and (2) ad libitum intervention for 14 weeks. We observed that 4-week RG administration was exerted to maintain insulin homeostasis against developing age-associated insulin insensitivity and suppressed cellular senescence pathway in the liver and primary hepatocytes. Moreover, with remarkable improvement of insulin homeostasis, 14-week RG supplementation downregulated the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and its downstream transcriptional factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in aged mice. Lastly, RG treatment significantly reduced the senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal)-positive cells in primary hepatocytes and ionizing radiation (IR)-exposed mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Taken together, we suggest that RG can be a promising candidate for a senolytic substance by preventing hepatic cellular senescence.

Structural Characters and Pharmacological Activity of Protopanaxadiol‐Type Saponins and Protopanaxatriol‐Type Saponins from Ginseng

Ginseng has a long history of drug application in China, which can treat various diseases and achieve significant efficacy. Ginsenosides have always been deemed important ingredients for pharmacological activities. Based on the structural characteristics of steroidal saponins, ginsenosides are mainly divided into protopanaxadiol‐type saponins (PDS, mainly including Rb1, Rb2, Rd, Rc, Rh2, CK, and PPD) and protopanaxatriol‐type saponins (PTS, mainly including Re, R1, Rg1, Rh1, Rf, and PPT). The structure differences between PDS and PTS result in the differences of pharmacological activities. This paper provides an overview of PDS and PTS, mainly focusing on their chemical profile, pharmacokinetics, hydrolytic metabolism, and pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antifatigue, antiaging, immunodulation, antitumor, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, and antidiabetes. It is intended to contribute to an in‐depth study of the relationship between PDS and PTS.

Protective effects of ginseng and ginsenosides in the development of osteoarthritis (Review)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease. Traditional chinese medicine provides a resource for drug screening for OA treatment. Ginseng and the associated bioactive compound, ginsenosides, may reduce inflammation, which is considered a risk factor for the development of OA. Specifically, ginsenosides may exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress activities, and inhibit extracellular matrix degradation by suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Notably, specific ginsenosides, such as compound K and Rk1, may physically interact with IκB kinase and inhibit the associated phosphorylation. Thus, ginsenosides exhibit potential as therapeutic candidates in the management of OA. However, the low water solubility limits the clinical applications of ginsenosides. Numerous effective strategies have been explored to improve bioavailability; however, further investigations are still required.

Improvement of Cognitive Function by Fermented Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer Berries Extracts in an AF64A-Induced Memory Deficit Model

This study investigated the potential therapeutic properties of fermented ginseng berry extract (GBE) for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fermented GBE was examined for its ginsenoside content and physiological properties, which have been suggested to have neuroprotective effects and improve cognitive function. The results showed that fermented GBE contains high levels of major active ginsenosides and exhibits antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Post-fermented GBE demonstrated therapeutic potential in AF64A-induced damaged neural stem cells and an animal model of AD. These findings suggest that fermented GBE may hold promise as a candidate for developing new therapeutic interventions for memory deficits and cognitive disorders associated with AD and other neurodegenerative conditions. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of fermented GBE in human subjects and to determine its clinical applications. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that fermented GBE has potential as a natural product for the prevention and treatment of AD. The high levels of active ginsenosides and antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of fermented GBE suggest that it may be a promising therapeutic agent for improving cognitive function and reducing neurodegeneration.

Inhibition of the pyroptosis-associated inflammasome pathway: The important potential mechanism of ginsenosides in ameliorating diabetes and its complications

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications have become an important global public health issue, affecting human health and negatively impacting life and lifespan. Pyroptosis is a recently discovered form of pro-inflammatory programmed cell death (PCD). To date, pyroptosis-associated inflammasome pathways have been identified primarily in the canonical and non-canonical inflammasome pathway, apoptotic caspase-mediated pathway, granzyme-mediated pathway, and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB)-mediated pathway. The activation of diabetes-mediated pyroptosis-associated factors play an important role in the pathophysiology of DM and its complications. Studies have shown that ginsenosides exert significant protective effects on DM and its complications. Through inhibiting the activation of pyroptosis-associated inflammasome pathways, and then the DM and its complications are improved. This review summarizes the subtypes of ginsenosides and their chemical characteristics, pharmacokinetics and side effects, the main pyroptosis-associated inflammasome pathways that have been discovered to date, and the potential mechanism of different subtypes of ginsenosides in the treatment of DM and its complications (such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic liver injury, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic ischemic stroke) via anti-pyroptosis-associated inflammasome pathways. These findings may provide ideas for further research to explore ginsenoside mechanism in improving DM and its complications. However, many pyroptosis-associated inflammasome pathways and targets involved in the occurrence and development of DM and its complications are still unknown. In the future, further studies using in vitro cell models, in vivo animal models, and human disease models can be used to further elucidate the mechanism of ginsenosides in the treatment of DM and its complications.

Molecular Mechanistic Pathways Targeted by Natural Compounds in the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most common complications of diabetes, and its prevalence is still growing rapidly. However, the efficient therapies for this kidney disease are still limited. The pathogenesis of DKD involves glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, and renal fibrosis. Glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to inflammation and aggravate renal fibrosis. In this review, we have focused on in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate the mechanistic pathways by which natural compounds exert their effects against the progression of DKD. The accumulated and collected data revealed that some natural compounds could regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, renal fibrosis, and activate autophagy, thereby protecting the kidney. The main pathways targeted by these reviewed compounds include the Nrf2 signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, NLRP3 inflammasome, autophagy, glycolipid metabolism and ER stress. This review presented an updated overview of the potential benefits of these natural compounds for the prevention and treatment of DKD progression, aimed to provide new potential therapeutic lead compounds and references for the innovative drug development and clinical treatment of DKD.