Active ginseng components in cognitive impairment: Therapeutic potential and prospects for delivery and clinical study

Abstract

Cognitive impairment is a state that affects thinking, communication, understanding, and memory, and is very common in various neurological disorders. Among many factors, age-related cognitive decline is an important area in mental health research. Research to find therapeutic medications or supplements to treat cognitive deficits and maintain cognitive health has been ongoing. Ginseng and its active components may have played a role in treating chronic disorders. Numerous preclinical studies have confirmed that ginseng and its active components such as ginsenosides, gintonin, and compound K are pharmacologically efficacious in different models of and are linked to cognitive impairment. Among their several roles, they act as an anti-neuroinflammatory and help fight against oxidative stress and modulate the cholinergic signal. These roles may be involved in enhancing cognition and attenuating impairment. There have been some clinical studies on the activity of ginseng in cognitive impairment, but many ginseng species and active compounds remain to be investigated. In addition, new formulations of active ginseng components such as nanoparticles and liposomes could be used for preclinical and clinical models of cognitive impairment. Here, we discuss the therapeutic potential of active ginseng components in cognitive impairment and their chemistry and pharmacokinetics and consider prospects for their delivery and clinical study with respect to cognitive impairment.

G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in CNS: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Intervention in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Associated Cognitive Deficits

“…In conclusion, natural active compounds show promising neuroprotective effects in several disease models. The potential of these compounds in terms of acting on GPCRs needs to be studied [5,6,200]. Several recent studies reported that nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 [199], NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains containing protein 3 [201], and glutamate receptors [202] have great potential in neuroprotective therapy.…”

Efficacy of Panax ginseng Meyer Herbal Preparation HRG80 in Preventing and Mitigating Stress-Induced Failure of Cognitive Functions in Healthy Subjects: A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

“…The effects of ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1, Rg2, Rg3, Ro, Rb3, Rd, Rf, Rh2, and 20(S)PT on the nervous system and the behavior of animals were demonstrated in numerous studies [3]. Ginsenosides Rb1, Rd, Re, Rg1, Rg2, Rg3, Rh1, Rh2, Rh3, PF11, and NTR1, gintonin, and compound K showed potential activity in treating cognitive deficits [41].…”

Evolution of the adaptogenic concept from traditional use to medical systems: Pharmacology of stress‐ and aging‐related diseases

“…The pharmacokinetics of different active ginseng compounds have been studied in both animals and humans 2 . The bioavailability of ginsenosides is low after oral administration, but the pharmacokinetic behavior differs among various ginsenosides 35,611 . The highly glycosylated ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd., Re, Rg1, and Rg2 have poor stability in the gastrointestinal tract, and they are easily converted into monoglycosides and aglycone ginsenosides (e.g., CK, Rh2, Rh1, and F1) by gastric acid and/or the intestinal flora 35,611–616 …”

“…Importantly, the term adaptogen is related to a physiological process—adaptation to environmental challenges, which is a multistep process including diverse mechanisms of extracellular and intracellular interactions. The renewed definition of adaptogens 16,17 is supported by the results of recent studies on the molecular mechanisms of action of adaptogens in a variety of regulatory systems from the cellular to entire organism levels 11,16–63 …”