Immunomodulatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Cancer Properties of Ginseng: A Pharmacological Update

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 28; no. 9; p. 3863
• Main Authors: Valdés-González, Jose Antonio, Sánchez, Marta, Moratilla-Rivera, Ignacio, Iglesias, Irene, Gómez-Serranillos, María Pilar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 03.05.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Analysis; anti-cancer; anti-inflammatory; Anti-inflammatory drugs; Asthenia; B cells; Biological activity; Cancer; Care and treatment; Chromatography; Ginseng; Ginsenosides; Ginsenosides - pharmacology; Ginsenosides - therapeutic use; Health aspects; Herbal medicine; Immune system; Immunomodulation; Inflammation; Medicinal plants; Medicine, Botanic; Medicine, Herbal; Natural products; Nitric oxide; Panax; Pharmacology; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plants, Medicinal; Polysaccharides; Review; Saccharides; saponins; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; South Korea; China; polysaccharides; immunomodulation; ginseng; anti-inflammatory; ginsenosides; anti-cancer; saponins
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093863

Ginseng, a medicinal plant of the genus , boasts a rich historical record of usage that dates back to the Paleolithic period. This botanical is extensively acknowledged and consumed in Eastern countries for its therapeutic properties, and, in Western countries, it is becoming increasingly popular as a remedy for fatigue and asthenia. This review provides an update on current research pertaining to ginseng and its isolated compounds, namely, ginsenosides and polysaccharides. The primary focus is on three crucial pharmacological activities, namely, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. The review encompasses studies on both isolated compounds and various ginseng extracts obtained from the root, leaves, and berries.