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Review
. 2023 Sep;47(5):615-621.
doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2023.04.001. Epub 2023 Apr 8.

The effects of Korean Red Ginseng on heme oxygenase-1 with a focus on mitochondrial function in pathophysiologic conditions

Chang-Hee Kim  1 , Hahn Young Kim  2 , Seung-Yeol Nah  3 , Yoon Kyung Choi  4
Affiliations
Review

The effects of Korean Red Ginseng on heme oxygenase-1 with a focus on mitochondrial function in pathophysiologic conditions

Chang-Hee Kim et al. J Ginseng Res. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) plays a key role in heme oxygenase (HO)-1 induction under physical and moderate oxidative stress conditions. The transient and mild induction of HO-1 is beneficial for cell protection, mitochondrial function, regeneration, and intercellular communication. However, chronic HO-1 overexpression is detrimental in severely injured regions. Thus, in a chronic pathological state, diminishing HO-1-mediated ferroptosis is beneficial for a therapeutic approach. The molecular mechanisms by which KRG protects various cell types in the central nervous system have not yet been established, especially in terms of HO-1-mediated mitochondrial functions. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the multiple roles of KRG in the regulation of astrocytic HO-1 under pathophysiological conditions. More specifically, we discuss the role of the KRG-mediated astrocytic HO-1 pathway in regulating mitochondrial functions in acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases as well as physiological conditions.

Keywords: Astrocytes; Cell communication; Ginseng; Heme oxygenase; Mitochondria.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Image 1
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
KRG induces astrocytic mitochondrial functions through HO metabolites in physiologic conditions. Abbreviations. BVR-A, biliverdin reductase A; CaMKKβ, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β; CO, carbon monoxide; Cyt, cytochrome; ERRα, estrogen-related receptor α; HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; I, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex I; KRG, Korean Red Ginseng; LKB1, liver kinase B1; SIRT1, sirtuin 1; SOD2, superoxide dismutase 2; TOM20, translocase of outer membrane 20; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
KRG enhances astrocytic mitochondrial functions through HO-1-mediated signaling in the penumbra in pathological conditions. Abbreviations. AMPKα, AMP-activated protein kinase; CO, carbon monoxide; ERRα, estrogen-related receptor α; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; KRG, Korean Red Ginseng; LKB1, liver kinase B1; NAMPT, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase; Nrf2, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2; OXPHOS, oxidative phosphorylation; PGC-1α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator α; SIRT, sirtuin; TOM22, translocase of outer membrane 22.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
KRG diminishes the processes of chronic pathological conditions by promoting intercellular interactions and reducing oxidative and metabolic stress. Abbreviations. KRG, Korean Red Ginseng; ROS, reactive oxygen species; RNS, reactive nitrogen species.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
KRG boosts astrocyte-to-neural stem cell communication through astrocytic HO-1. CO, carbon monoxide; KRG, Korean Red Ginseng.
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