Ginsenosides emerging as both bifunctional drugs and nanocarriers for enhanced antitumor therapies

Abstract

Ginsenosides, the main components isolated from Panax ginseng, can play a therapeutic role by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and reducing proliferation, invasion, metastasis; by enhancing immune regulation; and by reversing tumor cell multidrug resistance. However, clinical applications have been limited because of ginsenosides’ physical and chemical properties such as low solubility and poor stability, as well as their short half-life, easy elimination, degradation, and other pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. In recent years, developing a ginsenoside delivery system for bifunctional drugs or carriers has attracted much attention from researchers. To create a precise treatment strategy for cancer, a variety of nano delivery systems and preparation technologies based on ginsenosides have been conducted (e.g., polymer nanoparticles [NPs], liposomes, micelles, microemulsions, protein NPs, metals and inorganic NPs, biomimetic NPs). It is desirable to design a targeted delivery system to achieve antitumor efficacy that can not only cross various barriers but also can enhance immune regulation, eventually converting to a clinical application. Therefore, this review focused on the latest research about delivery systems encapsulated or modified with ginsenosides, and unification of medicines and excipients based on ginsenosides for improving drug bioavailability and targeting ability. In addition, challenges and new treatment methods were discussed to support the development of these new tumor therapeutic agents for use in clinical treatment.

Exosome-liposome hybrid nanoparticle codelivery of TP and miR497 conspicuously overcomes chemoresistant ovarian cancer

“…Ideal drug delivery systems (DDSs) are characterized by excellent biocompatibility, prolonged circulation in the blood, nonremoval by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) and precise targeting of the tumor site for the rapid release of drugs [ 43 ]. According to the present study, the low loading rate, toxicity and induced immune response of nanocarriers still hinder the further development of DDSs [ 59 ].…”

The Yin‐Yang roles of protease‐activated receptors in inflammatory signalling and diseases

“…in each case. It has been reported that some targeted ligands and bioactive compounds exhibit bifunctional effects, promoting or preventing disease progression [3,57]. For example, PARs as vital membrane receptors possess the Yin-Yang effect, comprising pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory roles, which are context-dependent (i.e.…”

Inhibition of Myocardial Cell Apoptosis Is Important Mechanism for Ginsenoside in the Limitation of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

“…Panax ginseng , a medicinal plant, belongs to the Araliaceae family and has a long history of usage ( Geng et al, 2010 ). The main active ingredients of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides ( Wang H. et al, 2021 ), which inhibit oxidative stress, enhance immune regulation, promote physiological functions ( Chen S. et al, 2019 ; Wang H. et al, 2021 ), and are adopted to improve IHD, depression, diabetes, etc. ( Zhang JH.…”

“…Ginsenosides are triterpenoid saponins, which are deemed as the main bioactive components of Panax ginseng ( Sabouri-Rad et al, 2017 ). Panax means “all healing” in Greek ( Im and Nah, 2013 ), and Panax ginseng has effects in improving arrhythmia, decreasing the myocardial ischemic area, suppressing oxidative stress response, enhancing immune regulation, and inhibiting apoptosis ( Sun et al, 2016 ; Wang H. et al, 2021 ). Ginsenosides have positive effects on MIRI via regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, calcium overload, and cell deaths ( Fan et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ).…”