Ginsenoside Compound K: Insights into Recent Studies on Pharmacokinetics and Health-Promoting Activities

Abstract

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is an herb popular for its medicinal and health properties. Compound K (CK) is a secondary ginsenoside biotransformed from major ginsenosides. Compound K is more bioavailable and soluble than its parent ginsenosides and hence of immense importance. The review summarizes health-promoting in vitro and in vivo studies of CK between 2015 and 2020, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, anti-aging/skin protective, and others. Clinical trial data are minimal and are primarily based on CK-rich fermented ginseng. Besides, numerous preclinical and clinical studies indicating the pharmacokinetic behavior of CK, its parent compound (Rb1), and processed ginseng extracts are also summarized. With the limited evidence available from animal and clinical studies, it can be stated that CK is safe and well-tolerated. However, lower water solubility, membrane permeability, and efflux significantly diminish the efficacy of CK and restrict its clinical application. We found that the use of nanocarriers and cyclodextrin for CK delivery could overcome these limitations as well as improve the health benefits associated with them. However, these derivatives have not been clinically evaluated, thus requiring a safety assessment for human therapy application. Future studies should be aimed at investigating clinical evidence of CK.

Polymorphic Characterization, Pharmacokinetics, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ginsenoside Compound K Polymorphs

“…Thirdly, in the classic carrageenan-induced rats’ paw edema, irrespective of sex, the paw edema levels decreased significantly compared to the model group, indicating the promising anti-inflammatory activity of CK reported previously [ 39 , 40 ]. The reduction of paw edema levels could be considered to be in good agreement with the pharmacokinetic profiles of the four CK polymorphs.…”

Glycyrrhizic acid exerts inhibitory activity against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2

“…While berberine chloride ( ZZY-54 ) showed cell toxicity in both MASMC and 16HBE cells, and according to references, berberine chloride ( ZZY-54 ) is a potential anticancer drug [ Tan et al., 2011 ; Wang et al., 2014 ]. Ginsenoside Rb1 ( ZZY-9 ) showed high cell toxicity to MASMCs, literatures indicated a derivative of ginsenoside Rb1 ( ZZY-9 ), Compound K, with broad anticancer effect [Sharma and Lee, 2020] . Thus, ginsenoside Rb1 ( ZZY-9 ) and berberine chloride ( ZZY-54 ) might be promising in developing anticancer drugs.…”

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antithrombotic Effects of Ginsenoside Compound K Enriched Extract Derived from Ginseng Sprouts

“…Akao et al [ 16 ] investigated the absorption of CK in rat plasma, and Lee et al [ 17 ] demonstrated the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of CK in humans. CK is one of the rare ginsenosides, and it is of great interest due to its diverse biological activities and high pharmacological activities [ 18 , 19 ]. However, the minute amount of CK in ginseng cannot satisfy the needs of commercial purposes [ 20 ].…”