Black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant: insights into its active components and mechanisms

Depression is a psychological disorder with significant global impact. It is widely hypothesized that this disorder is associated with neuroinflammation, which disrupts neural homeostasis through various pathways. This study aims to investigate the effective compounds and mechanisms of Black Ginseng...

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Main Authors: Yixuan Sui, Yiying Tan, Yajing Li, Xiaochen Gao, Han Lu, Jiaming Shen, Xuesheng Hu, Lei Wang, Liting Zhao, Jiaming Sun, Chunnan Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Chemistry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1619060/full
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author Yixuan Sui
Yixuan Sui
Yiying Tan
Yajing Li
Xiaochen Gao
Han Lu
Jiaming Shen
Xuesheng Hu
Lei Wang
Liting Zhao
Jiaming Sun
Chunnan Li
author_facet Yixuan Sui
Yixuan Sui
Yiying Tan
Yajing Li
Xiaochen Gao
Han Lu
Jiaming Shen
Xuesheng Hu
Lei Wang
Liting Zhao
Jiaming Sun
Chunnan Li
author_sort Yixuan Sui
collection DOAJ
description Depression is a psychological disorder with significant global impact. It is widely hypothesized that this disorder is associated with neuroinflammation, which disrupts neural homeostasis through various pathways. This study aims to investigate the effective compounds and mechanisms of Black Ginseng under forest (BG) in combating neuroinflammation. Utilizing methods such as UPLC-QE Orbitrap-MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell biology, the efficacy of BG was demonstrated, and its active components were identified. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using Trans well migration assays and flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of target genes was confirmed through real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), elucidating the anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism. The results indicated that BG exhibited a more pronounced effect on ameliorating neuroinflammatory conditions compared to Ginseng under forest (FG). The main active components were found through research and development, including Ginsenoside F1, Ginsenoside Rk1, Ginsenoside Rg3, etc. Among these, Ginsenoside F1 emerged as the most potent active component for treating neuroinflammation, as evidenced by reduced cell migration and apoptosis. The study demonstrates that BG can modulate the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, leading to a reduction in the expression levels of AKT1, MAPK1, PIK3CA, EGFR, and other mRNAs. These findings suggest that BG is a promising natural antidepressant, providing both theoretical and experimental foundations for the development of new antidepressants based on BG and its active components.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-8ce4c5ddfaf54edabcff6ff680c9abdc2025-08-20T02:34:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Chemistry2296-26462025-05-011310.3389/fchem.2025.16190601619060Black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant: insights into its active components and mechanismsYixuan Sui0Yixuan Sui1Yiying Tan2Yajing Li3Xiaochen Gao4Han Lu5Jiaming Shen6Xuesheng Hu7Lei Wang8Liting Zhao9Jiaming Sun10Chunnan Li11Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaJilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, ChinaDepression is a psychological disorder with significant global impact. It is widely hypothesized that this disorder is associated with neuroinflammation, which disrupts neural homeostasis through various pathways. This study aims to investigate the effective compounds and mechanisms of Black Ginseng under forest (BG) in combating neuroinflammation. Utilizing methods such as UPLC-QE Orbitrap-MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell biology, the efficacy of BG was demonstrated, and its active components were identified. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using Trans well migration assays and flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of target genes was confirmed through real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), elucidating the anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism. The results indicated that BG exhibited a more pronounced effect on ameliorating neuroinflammatory conditions compared to Ginseng under forest (FG). The main active components were found through research and development, including Ginsenoside F1, Ginsenoside Rk1, Ginsenoside Rg3, etc. Among these, Ginsenoside F1 emerged as the most potent active component for treating neuroinflammation, as evidenced by reduced cell migration and apoptosis. The study demonstrates that BG can modulate the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, leading to a reduction in the expression levels of AKT1, MAPK1, PIK3CA, EGFR, and other mRNAs. These findings suggest that BG is a promising natural antidepressant, providing both theoretical and experimental foundations for the development of new antidepressants based on BG and its active components.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1619060/fullblack ginseng under forest (BG)UPLC-QE Orbitrap-MSdepressionneuroinflammationginsenoside F1
spellingShingle Yixuan Sui
Yixuan Sui
Yiying Tan
Yajing Li
Xiaochen Gao
Han Lu
Jiaming Shen
Xuesheng Hu
Lei Wang
Liting Zhao
Jiaming Sun
Chunnan Li
Black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant: insights into its active components and mechanisms
Frontiers in Chemistry
black ginseng under forest (BG)
UPLC-QE Orbitrap-MS
depression
neuroinflammation
ginsenoside F1
title Black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant: insights into its active components and mechanisms
title_full Black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant: insights into its active components and mechanisms
title_fullStr Black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant: insights into its active components and mechanisms
title_full_unstemmed Black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant: insights into its active components and mechanisms
title_short Black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant: insights into its active components and mechanisms
title_sort black ginseng under forest as a natural antidepressant insights into its active components and mechanisms
topic black ginseng under forest (BG)
UPLC-QE Orbitrap-MS
depression
neuroinflammation
ginsenoside F1
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1619060/full
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