Panax ginseng Across the Cardiovascular Continuum: Molecular Targets, Mechanistic Convergence, and Translational Challenges
- 1Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Efficacy Research and Utilization of Characteristic Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northeast Asia Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
- 2School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases develop through an interconnected continuum that extends from cardiometabolic risk factors and vascular dysfunction to myocardial ischemic injury, pathological remodeling, and heart failure. Panax ginseng and its bioactive constituents have shown cardiovascular protective effects in various experimental models. However, the molecular mechanisms shared across different stages of the cardiovascular continuum remain insufficiently integrated. This review critically synthesizes current evidence on Panax ginseng, ginseng-derived constituents, and ginseng-containing preparations across major stages of cardiovascular disease. Particular emphasis is placed on convergent molecular networks involving metabolic and mitochondrial homeostasis, oxidative stress and inflammation, autophagy and mitophagy, regulated cell death, calcium handling, vascular and fibrotic remodeling, and gut microbiota–host interactions. Several target-oriented mechanisms, including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ, ryanodine receptor 2, histone acetyltransferase P300/dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase/pyruvate dehydrogenase, Fas-associated death domain/PPARα, and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2A-associated regulation, are highlighted and distinguished from pathway-level or phenotypic evidence. Despite extensive preclinical data, direct target engagement, causal validation, pharmacokinetic characterization, preparation standardization, and clinical evidence remain limited. Integrating target-level validation with standardized ginseng interventions and clinically relevant models may provide a stronger molecular basis for evaluating the cardiovascular potential of ginseng.
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BibTeX
@article{qiao2026panax,
title = {{Panax ginseng Across the Cardiovascular Continuum: Molecular Targets, Mechanistic Convergence, and Translational Challenges}},
author = {Min Qiao and Chang Sun and Yangyang Qin and Di Wu and Ming Tian and Mingxia Wu and Hang Su and Xiangyan Li},
journal = {Biomolecules},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/biom16111584},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/11/1584},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Panax ginseng Across the Cardiovascular Continuum: Molecular Targets, Mechanistic Convergence, and Translational Challenges
AU - Min Qiao
AU - Chang Sun
AU - Yangyang Qin
AU - Di Wu
AU - Ming Tian
AU - Mingxia Wu
AU - Hang Su
AU - Xiangyan Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Biomolecules
DO - 10.3390/biom16111584
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/11/1584
AB - Cardiovascular diseases develop through an interconnected continuum that extends from cardiometabolic risk factors and vascular dysfunction to myocardial ischemic injury, pathological remodeling, and heart failure. Panax ginseng and its bioactive constituents have shown cardiovascular protective effects in various experimental models. However, the molecular mechanisms shared across different stages of the cardiovascular continuum remain insufficiently integrated. This review critically synthesizes current evidence on Panax ginseng, ginseng-derived constituents, and ginseng-containing preparations across major stages of cardiovascular disease. Particular emphasis is placed on convergent molecular networks involving metabolic and mitochondrial homeostasis, oxidative stress and inflammation, autophagy and mitophagy, regulated cell death, calcium handling, vascular and fibrotic remodeling, and gut microbiota–host interactions. Several target-oriented mechanisms, including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ, ryanodine receptor 2, histone acetyltransferase P300/dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase/pyruvate dehydrogenase, Fas-associated death domain/PPARα, and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2A-associated regulation, are highlighted and distinguished from pathway-level or phenotypic evidence. Despite extensive preclinical data, direct target engagement, causal validation, pharmacokinetic characterization, preparation standardization, and clinical evidence remain limited. Integrating target-level validation with standardized ginseng interventions and clinically relevant models may provide a stronger molecular basis for evaluating the cardiovascular potential of ginseng.
SN - 2218-273X
ER -