Multifaceted Benefits of Ginseng and Its Extracts: A Brief Review of Immunomodulation, Quality of Life Improvement, and Antitumor Potential

Hongyu Mu , Jiangning Peng , Ling Yao , Lin Tang , Tianqi Wang

›› 2025, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (3) : 191 -196.

PDF
›› 2025, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (3) : 191 -196. DOI: 10.14218/FIM.2025.00027
Mini Reviews
research-article

Multifaceted Benefits of Ginseng and Its Extracts: A Brief Review of Immunomodulation, Quality of Life Improvement, and Antitumor Potential

Author information +
History +
PDF

Abstract

Ginseng, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been used for centuries to enhance vitality and overall well-being. This review synthesizes multiple studies to summarize the latest discoveries on the immunoregulatory effects of ginseng, its role in improving patients’ quality of life, and new evidence of its antitumor properties. It concludes that ginseng and its extracts can improve patients’ quality of life and may have the potential to target tumor cells. Meanwhile, ginseng extracts significantly improve sub-health status, with an 85% improvement rate observed in young adults after 30 days of intervention. This review provides valuable new evidence for ongoing research on ginseng and its extracts.

Keywords

Ginseng / Multifaceted benefits / Immunomodulation / Improvement / Antitumor potential / Ginsenoside

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
Hongyu Mu, Jiangning Peng, Ling Yao, Lin Tang, Tianqi Wang. Multifaceted Benefits of Ginseng and Its Extracts: A Brief Review of Immunomodulation, Quality of Life Improvement, and Antitumor Potential. , 2025, 4(3): 191-196 DOI:10.14218/FIM.2025.00027

登录浏览全文

4963

注册一个新账户 忘记密码

References

[1]

Yao W, Guan Y. Ginsenosides in cancer: A focus on the regulation of cell metabolism. Biomed Pharmacother 2022;156:113756. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113756, PMID:36228372.

[2]

Liu SJ, Zhang X, Sun X, Hou Y, Jia M. Research Progress on the Immunomodulatory Effects of Polysaccharides from the Panax genus of the genus Panax. Ginseng Research 2023; 35(5):52-55. doi:10.19403/j.cnki.1671-1521.2023.05.014.

[3]

Mahara G, Liang J, Zhang Z, Ge Q, Zhang J. Associated Factors of Suboptimal Health Status Among Adolescents in China: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021; 14:1063-1071. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S302826, PMID:33994792.

[4]

Xu Y, Zhang P, Wang C, Shan Y, Wang D, Qian F, et al. Effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on tyrosine hydroxylase and related mechanisms in the forced swimming-induced fatigue rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2013; 150(1):138-147. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.016, PMID:23994341.

[5]

He X. Study on the Effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on in Vitro Immune Enhancement in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 22(18):98-111. doi:10.13638/j.issn.1671-4040.2022.18.001.

[6]

Zuany-Amorim C, Hastewell J, Walker C. Toll-like receptors as potential therapeutic targets for multiple diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2002; 1(10):797-807. doi:10.1038/nrd914, PMID:12360257.

[7]

Xu H, Ran J, Wang D, Zhang W, Bai XY. Research Progress on Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) Regulating Immune System Diseases and Quality Marker Prediction Analysis. Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025; 43(5):129-138. doi:10.13193/j.issn.1673-7717.2025.05.026.

[8]

Wang K, Han C, Li J, Qiu J, Sunarso J, Liu S. The Mechanism of Piezocatalysis: Energy Band Theory or Screening Charge Effect? Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61(6):e202110429. doi:10.1002/anie.202110429, PMID:34612568.

[9]

Hotchkiss RD. The identification of nucleic acids as genetic determinants. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1979; 325:320-342. doi:10.1111 /j.1749-6632.1979.tb14143.x, PMID:378075.

[10]

Stein RJ, Gerarde HW. Cytologic Demonstration of Nucleic Acids in Tissue Culture. Science 1950; 111(2880):256-257. doi:10.1126/science.111.2880.256, PMID:17795467.

[11]

Baek JH, Heo JY, Fava M, Mischoulon D, Choi KW, Na EJ, et al. Effect of Korean Red Ginseng in individuals exposed to high stress levels: a 6-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Ginseng Res 2019; 43(3):402-407. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2018.03.001, PMID:31308812.

[12]

Mu H, Gao Y, Wang J. Ginseng Extract Improves the Subhealth Status in Young Population:An Observational Study. Future Integr Med 2023; 2(2):113-115. doi:10.14218/FIM.2023.00004.

[13]

Lu G, Liu Z, Wang X, Wang C. Recent Advances in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer as a Herb for Anti-Fatigue: An Effects and Mechanisms Review. Foods 2021; 10(5):1030. doi:10.3390/foods10051030, PMID: 34068545.

[14]

Li N, Pang Q, Zhang Y, Lin J, Li H, Li Z, et al. Ginsenoside ompound K reduces neuronal damage and improves neuronal synaptic dysfunction by targeting Aβ. Front Pharmacol 2023;14:1103012. doi:10.3389/ fphar.2023.1103012, PMID:36873999.

[15]

Chen L, Geng N, Chen T, Xiao Q, Zhang H, Huo H, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 Improves Post-Cardiac Arrest Myocardial Stunning and Cerebral Outcomes by Regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24(5):5059. doi:10.3390/ijms24055059, PMID:36902487.

[16]

Lee SB, Cho HI, Jin YW, Lee EK, Ahn JY, Lee SM. Wild ginseng cambial meristematic cells ameliorate hepatic steatosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in high-fat diet-fed mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 2016; 68(1):119-127. doi:10.1111/jphp.12487, PMID:26806698.

[17]

Solano F. Photoprotection and Skin Pigmentation: Melanin-Related Molecules and Some Other New Agents Obtained from Natural Sources. Molecules 2020; 25(7):1537. doi:10.3390/molecules25071537, PMID:32230973.

[18]

Ran X, Dou D, Chen H, Ren G. The correlations of adverse effect and tonifying effect of ginseng medicines. J Ethnopharmacol 2022;291:115113. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115113, PMID:35202711.

[19]

Williams CT. Herbal Supplements: Precautions and Safe Use. Nurs Clin North Am 2021; 56(1):1-21. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.10.001, PMID:33549278.

[20]

Triposkiadis F, Xanthopoulos A, Parissis J, Butler J, Farmakis D. Pathogenesis of chronic heart failure: cardiovascular aging, risk factors, comorbidities, and disease modifiers. Heart Fail Rev 2022; 27(1):337-344. doi:10.1007/s10741-020-09987-z, PMID:32524327.

[21]

Shi ZY, Zeng JZ, Wong AST. Chemical Structures and Pharmacological Profiles of Ginseng Saponins. Molecules 2019; 24(13):2443. doi:10.3390/molecules24132443, PMID:31277214.

[22]

Xie J, Zhu F, Zhao Y, Wang Y, Matsabisa MG, Chabalala H, et al. Ginsenosides for depression treatment: From benchside to bedside. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025; 12:210-220. doi:10.1016/j.jtcms.2025.03.007.

[23]

Dang H, Chen Y, Liu X, Wang Q, Wang L, Jia W, et al. Antidepressant effects of ginseng total saponins in the forced swimming test and chronic mild stress models of depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2009; 33(8):1417-1424. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.07.020, PMID:19632285.

[24]

Song C, Yuan Y, Zhou J, He Z, Hu Y, Xie Y, et al. Network Pharmacology- Based Prediction and Verification of Ginsenoside Rh2-Induced Apoptosis of A549 Cells via the PI3K/Akt Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:878937. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.878937, PMID:35600856.

[25]

Xiaodan S, Ying C. Role of ginsenoside Rh 2 in tumor therapy and tumor microenvironment immunomodulation. Biomed Pharmacother 2022;156:113912. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113912, PMID:36288 668.

[26]

Zhou G, Wang CZ, Mohammadi S, Sawadogo WR, Ma Q, Yuan CS. Pharmacological Effects of Ginseng: Multiple Constituents and Multiple Actions on Humans. Am J Chin Med 2023; 51(5):1085-1104. doi:10.1142/S0192415X23500507, PMID:37385964.

[27]

Dai TY, Lan JJ, Gao RL, Zhao YN, Yu XL, Liang SX, et al. Panaxdiol saponins component promotes hematopoiesis by regulating GATA transcription factors of intracellular signaling pathway in mouse bone marrow. Ann Transl Med 2022; 10(2):38. doi:10.21037/atm-21-4800, PMID:35282082.

[28]

Calabrese MF, Rajamohan F, Harris MS, Caspers NL, Magyar R, Withka JM, et al. Structural basis for AMPK activation: natural and synthetic ligands regulate kinase activity from opposite poles by different molecular mechanisms. Structure 2014; 22(8):1161-1172. doi:10.1016/j.str.2014.06.009, PMID:25066137.

[29]

Asby DJ, Cuda F, Beyaert M, Houghton FD, Cagampang FR, Tavassoli A. AMPK Activation via Modulation of De Novo Purine Biosynthesis with an Inhibitor of ATIC Homodimerization. Chem Biol 2015; 22(7):838-848. doi:10.1016/j.chembiol.2015.06.008, PMID:26144885.

[30]

Pradelli LA, Bénéteau M, Chauvin C, Jacquin MA, Marchetti S, Muñoz- Pinedo C, et al. Glycolysis inhibition sensitizes tumor cells to death receptors-induced apoptosis by AMP kinase activation leading to Mcl-1 block in translation. Oncogene 2010; 29(11):1641-1652. doi:10.1038/onc.2009.448, PMID:19966861.

[31]

Wang LY, Gu XY, Cui Y, Liu ST, Wang Y, Zhang JQ, et al. Mechanism of ginsenoside Rb1 in ameliorating hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes through CTR1 ubiquitination-mediated regulation of cuproptosis. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025. doi:10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20250529.401.

[32]

Gunata M, Parlakpinar H. A review of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury: Pathophysiology, experimental models, biomarkers, genetics and pharmacological treatment. Cell Biochem Funct 2021; 39(2):190-217. doi:10.1002/cbf.3587, PMID:32892450.

[33]

Nasiri R, Arefnezhad R, Baniasad K, Hosseini SA, Jeshari AS, Miri M, et al. Baicalin and baicalein against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: A review of the current documents. Tissue Cell 2025;93:102772. doi:10.1016/j.tice.2025.102772, PMID:39923649.

[34]

Ye R, Li N, Han J, Kong X, Cao R, Rao Z, et al. Neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rd against oxygen-glucose deprivation in cultured hippocampal neurons. Neurosci Res 2009; 64(3):306-310. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2009.03.016, PMID:19447300.

[35]

Ye R, Han J, Kong X, Zhao L, Cao R, Rao Z, et al. Protective effects of ginsenoside Rd on PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide. Biol Pharm Bull 2008; 31(10):1923-1927. doi:10.1248/bpb.31.1923, PMID:188 27356.

[36]

Kelly H, Goldberg RM. Systemic therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: current options, current evidence. J Clin Oncol 2005; 23(20):4553-4560. doi:10.1200/JCO.2005.17.749, PMID:16002847.

[37]

Barnett AH, Mithal A, Manassie J, Jones R, Rattunde H, Woerle HJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of empagliflozin added to existing antidiabetes treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2014;2(5):369-384. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(13)70208-0, PMID:24795251.

[38]

Zhang MM, Hu LM, Zhou Q, Wang SH, Wu SC. Therapeutic effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Ro onSH-SY5Y cell injury induced by oxygen- glucose deprivation/reoxygenation. Chin J Neuroimmunol & Neurol 2025; 32(1):35-41. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-2963.2025.01.006.

[39]

Douglas-Escobar M, Weiss MD. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopa thy: a review for the clinician. JAMA Pediatr 2015; 169(4):397-403. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.3269, PMID:25685948.

[40]

Xue YL, Xu J, Liu GH, Huang C, Feng YF, Xu MY, et al. Evaluation of subhealth status of Chinese urban residents using the Sub-health Measurement Scale Version 1. Chinese General Practice 2021; 24(7):834-84. doi:10.12114/j.issn.1007-9572.2020.00.530.

[41]

Ginsburg LR, Tregunno D, Norton PG, Mitchell JI, Howley H. ‘Not another safety culture survey’: using the Canadian patient safety climate survey (Can-PSCS) to measure provider perceptions of PSC across health settings. BMJ Qual Saf 2014; 23(2):162-170. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002220, PMID:24122954.

[42]

Latocha KM, Løppenthin KB, Østergaard M, Jennum PJ, Christensen R, Hetland M, et al. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: protocol for the randomised, single-blinded, parallel-group Sleep-RA trial. Trials 2020; 21(1):440. doi:10.1186/s13063-020-04282-6, PMID:32471477.

AI Summary AI Mindmap
PDF

536

Accesses

0

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

AI思维导图

/