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The treatments of nervous system diseases (NSDs) have long been difficult issues for researchers because of their complexity of pathogenesis. With the advent of aging society, searching for effective treatments of NSDs has become a hot topic. Ginseng polysaccharides (GP), as the main biologically active substance in ginseng, has various biological properties in immune-regulation, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and etc. Considering the association between the effects of GP and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, many related experiments have been conducted in recent years. In this paper, we reviewed previous studies about the effects and mechanisms of GP on diseases related to nervous system. We found GP play an ameliorative role on NSDs through the regulation of immune system, inflammatory response, oxidative damage and signaling pathway. Structure-activity relationship was also discussed and summarized. In addition, we provided new insights into GP as promising neuroprotective agent for its further development and utilization.

Abstract Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is in the midst of worldwide panic. Sudden onset of an immediate life-threatening illness, quarantine and unemployment caused by epidemic are all contributors to depression. Ginseng has been reported to be an effective and safe clinical treatment on both immune-regulation and anti-depression. However, the mechanism of its anti-depression effect has not been fully characterized. In order to provide theoretical guidance for further clinical application in post-pandemic, we investigated active compounds and pharmacological mechanisms of ginseng to exert anti-depressant activity using network pharmacology, and discussed the active ingredients with immune-regulation and anti-depression.Methods: Information on compounds in ginseng was obtained from public databases, and genes related to depression were gathered using the GeneCards database. Networks of ginseng-associated targets and depression-related genes were constructed through STRING database. Potential targets and pathway enrichment analysis related to the therapeutic efficacy of ginseng for depression were identified using Cytoscape and Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Results: Network pharmacological analysis of ginseng in treatment of depression identified 16 active ingredients, 47 potential targets, 32 GO terms, and 8 target gene-regulated major pathways. Among them, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, fumarine and frutinone A are bioactive compounds and key chemicals. Core genes in PPI network were AKT1, CASP3, NOS3, TNF, and PPARG. Enrichment results revealed that ginseng could regulate multiple aspects of depression through neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and Serotonergic synapse. More importantly, we found that frutinone A and kaempferol are key ingredients in ginseng with dual activities of immune-regulation and anti-depression. Conclusions: We discovered that the therapeutic activities of ginseng for depression mainly involve neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, neurogenesis, HPA axis and inflammatory response. Pharmacological network analysis can help to explain the potential effects of ginseng for treating depression, indicating that ginseng is a preferable herb clinically for immune-regulation and anti-depression in post-pandemic.

Ceramides metabolism and impaired epidermal barrier in cutaneous diseases and skin aging: focus on the role of the enzyme PNPLA1 in the synthesis of ω-O-acylceramides and its pathophysiological involvement in some forms of congenital ichthyoses OCL (Oilseeds, Crops, fats & Lipids) 26, 17 (2019); Advances and its diagnostic criteria in the study of the reduced porphyry ore deposits in China Acta Petrologicas Sinica 36, 967 (2020); Impact of elevated aspartate and alanine aminotransferase on metabolic syndrome and its components among adult people living in Ningxia, China Chronic Diseases and Translational Medicine 1, 124 (2015); Platelet proteomics and its advanced application for research of blood stasis syndrome and activated blood circulation herbs of Chinese medicine