Ginseng extract and ginsenosides improve neurological function and promote antioxidant effects in rats with spinal cord injury: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is defined as damage to the spinal cord that temporarily or permanently changes its function. There is no definite treatment established for neurological complete injury patients. This study investigated the effect of ginseng extract and ginsenosides on neurological recovery and antioxidant efficacies in rat models following SCI and explore the appropriate dosage. Searches were done on PubMed, Embase, and Chinese databases, and animal studies matches the inclusion criteria were selected. Pair-wise meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were performed. Ten studies were included, and the overall methodological qualities were low quality. The result showed ginseng extract and ginsenosides significantly improve neurological function, through the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale (pooled MD = 4.40; 95% CI = 3.92 to 4.88; p < 0.00001), significantly decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) (n = 290; pooled MD = −2.19; 95% CI = −3.16 to −1.22; p < 0.0001) and increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (n = 290; pooled MD = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.45 to 2.83; p < 0.00001). Both low (<25 mg/kg) and high dosage (≥25 mg/kg) showed significant improvement in the motor function recovery in SCI rats. Collectively, this review suggests ginseng extract and ginsenosides has a protective effect on SCI, with good safety and a clear mechanism of action and may be suitable for future clinical trials and applications.

Inhibitory Effects of Ginsenoside Compound K on Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Inflammatory Responses in Macrophages by Regulating Sirtuin 1 and Histone Deacetylase 4

“…NRF2 neutralizes ROS to protect cells from oxidative stress by inducing antioxidant enzymes such as Cat , Gpx4 , and Sod1 . Ginsenoside Rd, one of the CK precursors [ 56 ], ameliorated auditory cortex injury by SIRT1 activation, alleviating oxidative damage in guinea pigs [ 57 ]. Considering that SIRT1 is associated with NRF2 under oxidative conditions [ 50 ], these results indicate that the efficacy of CK in suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress in LPS-stimulated macrophages is ascribed to SIRT1’s function.…”

“…To compensate for the lack of NAD+ in LPS-stimulated macrophages, CK increased the expression of genes involved in the NAD+ salvage pathway. Ginsenoside Rb1, which can be converted to CK [ 56 ], has been reported to be crucial against hyperglycemic oxidative damage by modulating the NAD+-SIRT1 axis [ 62 ]. NAD+, a cofactor that activates SIRT1 [ 63 ], can also be supported by CK.…”

Protective Effect of Hydrogen-Rich Saline on Spinal Cord Damage in Rats

“…Several experimental spinal cord injury studies have investigated the therapeutic properties of different agents that have neuroprotective effects on secondary injury [26,27]. Some of the agents used have been steroids, antioxidants/free radical scavengers, opiate-receptor antagonists, gangliosides, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and its analogues, glutamate receptor blockers, arachidonic acid modulators, calcium-channel antagonists, sodium-channel blockers, monoamine modulators, immunosuppressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and growth factors.…”

Therapeutic effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on colorectal cancer

“…Ginsenosides, the major pharmacological components of various ginseng plants, possess multifaceted pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, 23 anti-oxidation, 24 anti-diabetes, 25 anti-bacteria, 26 cardiovascular protection, 27 neuroprotection, 28 and others. To date, with the development of isolation and analysis technologies, more than 300 ginsenosides have been identified from Panax species.…”