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Review
. 2017 Oct;41(4):435-443.
doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2016.08.004. Epub 2016 Aug 18.

Role of ginsenosides, the main active components of Panax ginseng, in inflammatory responses and diseases

Ji Hye Kim  1 , Young-Su Yi  2 , Mi-Yeon Kim  3 , Jae Youl Cho  1
Affiliations
Review

Role of ginsenosides, the main active components of Panax ginseng, in inflammatory responses and diseases

Ji Hye Kim et al. J Ginseng Res. 2017 Oct.

Abstract

Panax ginseng is one of the most universally used herbal medicines in Asian and Western countries. Most of the biological activities of ginseng are derived from its main constituents, ginsenosides. Interestingly, a number of studies have reported that ginsenosides and their metabolites/derivatives-including ginsenoside (G)-Rb1, compound K, G-Rb2, G-Rd, G-Re, G-Rg1, G-Rg3, G-Rg5, G-Rh1, G-Rh2, and G-Rp1-exert anti-inflammatory activities in inflammatory responses by suppressing the production of proinflammatory cytokines and regulating the activities of inflammatory signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1. This review discusses recent studies regarding molecular mechanisms by which ginsenosides play critical roles in inflammatory responses and diseases, and provides evidence showing their potential to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: Panax ginseng; ginsenosides; inflammation; inflammatory diseases; signaling.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Classification of ginsenosides based on backbone types.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Diseases associated with chronic inflammation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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