In vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginseng

Ginseng, a traditional herb with a history spanning thousands of years in Asian culture, has gained widespread recognition for its valuable pharmacological properties. The primary active constituents of ginseng, ginsenosides, are renowned for their diverse biological activities, including cardioprot...

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Main Authors: Yuhao Wang, Canglang Mou, Yeye Hu, Ziliang He, Jae Youl Cho, Ji Hye Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Journal of Ginseng Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1226845325000648
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author Yuhao Wang
Canglang Mou
Yeye Hu
Ziliang He
Jae Youl Cho
Ji Hye Kim
author_facet Yuhao Wang
Canglang Mou
Yeye Hu
Ziliang He
Jae Youl Cho
Ji Hye Kim
author_sort Yuhao Wang
collection DOAJ
description Ginseng, a traditional herb with a history spanning thousands of years in Asian culture, has gained widespread recognition for its valuable pharmacological properties. The primary active constituents of ginseng, ginsenosides, are renowned for their diverse biological activities, including cardioprotective, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. However, the therapeutic potential of ginsenosides is often constrained by their low bioavailability in their native forms. During metabolism, ginsenosides undergo biotransformation by intestinal microbiota and enzymes, yielding metabolites with significantly enhanced bioavailability. Thus, to enhance the utility of ginsenosides as pharmaceutical agents and health products, it is essential to deepen our understanding of their metabolic processes and bioavailability in vivo. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the ginsenoside content in ginseng and the modifications that occur during in vivo metabolism. Particular emphasis is placed on the plasma concentrations of ginsenoside metabolites, as well as the pivotal roles of specific microorganisms and enzymes in the metabolic process. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides in the bloodstream following metabolism and their associated pharmacological activities are thoroughly examined. By offering a detailed exploration of ginsenosides' metabolism and pharmacodynamics, this review aims to advance our understanding of their therapeutic potential and support future research and drug development initiatives.
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publishDate 2025-09-01
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spelling doaj-art-dec77425e0884f9bbfc09c7cc06cad212025-08-20T03:41:14ZengElsevierJournal of Ginseng Research1226-84532025-09-0149547948710.1016/j.jgr.2025.05.003In vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginsengYuhao Wang0Canglang Mou1Yeye Hu2Ziliang He3Jae Youl Cho4Ji Hye Kim5Department of Integrative Biotechnology, and Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Integrative Biotechnology, and Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Integrative Biotechnology, and Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Integrative Biotechnology, and Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Integrative Biotechnology, and Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Biocosmetics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author. Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University and Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.Department of Integrative Biotechnology, and Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author. Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University and Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.Ginseng, a traditional herb with a history spanning thousands of years in Asian culture, has gained widespread recognition for its valuable pharmacological properties. The primary active constituents of ginseng, ginsenosides, are renowned for their diverse biological activities, including cardioprotective, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. However, the therapeutic potential of ginsenosides is often constrained by their low bioavailability in their native forms. During metabolism, ginsenosides undergo biotransformation by intestinal microbiota and enzymes, yielding metabolites with significantly enhanced bioavailability. Thus, to enhance the utility of ginsenosides as pharmaceutical agents and health products, it is essential to deepen our understanding of their metabolic processes and bioavailability in vivo. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the ginsenoside content in ginseng and the modifications that occur during in vivo metabolism. Particular emphasis is placed on the plasma concentrations of ginsenoside metabolites, as well as the pivotal roles of specific microorganisms and enzymes in the metabolic process. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides in the bloodstream following metabolism and their associated pharmacological activities are thoroughly examined. By offering a detailed exploration of ginsenosides' metabolism and pharmacodynamics, this review aims to advance our understanding of their therapeutic potential and support future research and drug development initiatives.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1226845325000648GinsenosidesGinsengPharmacokineticsMetabolismPharmacology
spellingShingle Yuhao Wang
Canglang Mou
Yeye Hu
Ziliang He
Jae Youl Cho
Ji Hye Kim
In vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginseng
Journal of Ginseng Research
Ginsenosides
Ginseng
Pharmacokinetics
Metabolism
Pharmacology
title In vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginseng
title_full In vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginseng
title_fullStr In vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginseng
title_full_unstemmed In vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginseng
title_short In vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginseng
title_sort in vivo metabolism pharmacokinetics and pharmacological activities of ginsenosides from ginseng
topic Ginsenosides
Ginseng
Pharmacokinetics
Metabolism
Pharmacology
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1226845325000648
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