Multifaceted neuroprotection of ginsenosides: Mechanisms, nano-delivery advances, and therapeutic potential in central nervous system disorders
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, PR China
- 2Department of Interventional Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, PR China
- 3Institute of Health Professions Education Assessment and Reform, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, PR China; Corresponding author.
- 4Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, PR China; Corresponding author.
Abstract
Background: Central nervous system (CNS) diseases remain therapeutic challenges due to complex pathology and poor drug penetration across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Ginsenosides, the active components of Panax ginseng , possess multi-target neuroprotective properties but exhibit low bioavailability. Purpose: This review synthesizes current evidence on ginsenoside mechanisms and evaluates the role of nanotechnology in enhancing their delivery and efficacy for CNS disorders. Study design: A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Google Scholar (2015–present). Included studies investigated ginsenosides in neurological disease models and nano-formulation strategies. Results: Ginsenosides modulate neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and calcium homeostasis through pathways involving NF-κB, Nrf2, and Bcl-2/Bax. Nano-delivery systems—such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and biomimetic vesicles—significantly improve ginsenoside stability, BBB traversal, and brain-targeted accumulation. Functionalization with ligands (e.g., Angiopep-2) or cell membranes further enhances specificity and therapeutic outcomes in ischemic stroke, glioma, Alzheimer's disease, and spinal cord injury models. Conclusion: Nanotechnology-based delivery systems potently augment the neuroprotective potential of ginsenosides, offering a promising strategy for multi-target CNS therapy. Future efforts should focus on translational safety, scalable production, and clinical validation.
Related
- The m6A methyltransferase METTL3 in intervertebral disc degeneration: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic potential
- Ginsenosides in hepatocellular carcinoma: preclinical evidence, mechanisms, and clinical implications
- Nucleocytoplasmic transport in gynaecological cancer: From mechanisms to therapeutic potential (Review)
- Natural products regulate gut microbiota and SCFA metabolism in IBD: mechanisms and therapeutic potential
- Molecular mechanisms, crosstalk and therapeutic potential of novel acylation modifications in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
BibTeX
@article{li2026multifaceted,
title = {{Multifaceted neuroprotection of ginsenosides: Mechanisms, nano-delivery advances, and therapeutic potential in central nervous system disorders}},
author = {Linhan Li and Yan Yu and Jinlin Fan and Naibo Zhang and Jiashuo Yang and Honghe Li and Jian Zheng},
journal = {Journal of Ginseng Research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1016/j.jgr.2026.101149},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2026.101149},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Multifaceted neuroprotection of ginsenosides: Mechanisms, nano-delivery advances, and therapeutic potential in central nervous system disorders
AU - Linhan Li
AU - Yan Yu
AU - Jinlin Fan
AU - Naibo Zhang
AU - Jiashuo Yang
AU - Honghe Li
AU - Jian Zheng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/24
JO - Journal of Ginseng Research
DO - 10.1016/j.jgr.2026.101149
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2026.101149
AB - Background: Central nervous system (CNS) diseases remain therapeutic challenges due to complex pathology and poor drug penetration across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Ginsenosides, the active components of Panax ginseng , possess multi-target neuroprotective properties but exhibit low bioavailability. Purpose: This review synthesizes current evidence on ginsenoside mechanisms and evaluates the role of nanotechnology in enhancing their delivery and efficacy for CNS disorders. Study design: A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Google Scholar (2015–present). Included studies investigated ginsenosides in neurological disease models and nano-formulation strategies. Results: Ginsenosides modulate neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and calcium homeostasis through pathways involving NF-κB, Nrf2, and Bcl-2/Bax. Nano-delivery systems—such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and biomimetic vesicles—significantly improve ginsenoside stability, BBB traversal, and brain-targeted accumulation. Functionalization with ligands (e.g., Angiopep-2) or cell membranes further enhances specificity and therapeutic outcomes in ischemic stroke, glioma, Alzheimer's disease, and spinal cord injury models. Conclusion: Nanotechnology-based delivery systems potently augment the neuroprotective potential of ginsenosides, offering a promising strategy for multi-target CNS therapy. Future efforts should focus on translational safety, scalable production, and clinical validation.
SN - 1226-8453
SN - 2093-4947
ER -