Potency of Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) and Turmeric (Curcumin) Extract Compound in Promoting Cerebral Perfusion in Vascular Dementia: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a neurodegenerative disease with an ever-growing number of patients in global statistics. World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 50 million vascular dementia patients in 2018, with almost of 20% of it are newly diagnosed cases. North America and Europe have a similar prevalence of VaD patients, approximately up 15 to 20 percent of the elderly. Whilst in Asia, the number is higher, which takes up 30 percent of the elderly population. Having limited modalities in treating the condition, novel methods with considerable efficacy and safety are needed in treating dementia. Ginseng, which is the root from plants of genus Panax, contains many types of ginsenosides which have been proven to have a significant effect in alleviating cerebral hypoperfusion, the main cause of vascular dementia. Turmeric, which contains curcumin, has shown to elevate cognition and halts neurodegenerative processes, and could act as a neuroprotector through LXR-Beta/RXR signaling pathway. The combination of Panax ginseng extract and Turmeric extract is a promising new alternative drug to treat cognitive and memory problems, particularly VaD, yet more clinical and experimental studies are required. Keywords: Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Panax ginseng, Curcumin, Hypoperfusion.