Original ArticlesGinseng pharmacology: Multiple constituents and multiple actions
Section snippets
Pharmacological effects
Most pharmacological actions of ginseng are attributed to ginsenosides [2]. More than twenty ginsenosides have been isolated [3], and novel structures continue to be reported, particularly from Panax quinquefolius and Panax japonicus[5]. Figure 1 illustrates the structures of some ginsenosides. Since cardiovascular effects of ginseng have been well documented 3, 6, they will not be discussed here.
Why are there so many diverse effects?
Ginseng contains over twenty ginsenosides, and single ginsenosides have been shown to produce multiple effects in the same tissue 8, 47. In addition, non-ginsenoside constituents of ginseng also exert pharmacological effects. Thus, it is not surprising that the overall activity of the herb is complex.
What are the underlying mechanisms of action?
Ginsenosides are amphiphilic in nature [48], and have the ability to intercalate into the plasma membrane. This leads to changes in membrane fluidity, and thus affects membrane function, eliciting a cellular response. There is evidence to suggest that ginsenosides interact directly with specific membrane proteins. Moreover, like steroid hormones, they are lipid-soluble signaling molecules, which can traverse the plasma membrane and initiate genomic effects. Figure 2 illustrates possible sites
Summary and future work
This commentary discusses ginsenoside effects that may be initiated at the cell membrane, as well as via intracellular protein binding. Consequently, ginsenosides may follow a dual model of action.
One pathway of ginsenoside activity involves binding to membrane receptors that trigger changes in electrolyte transport systems, and activation of signaling pathways. In this regard, differences in lipophilicity between the ginsenosides and the cholesterol content of membrane domains may be
Acknowledgements
This work was supported, in part, by the Tang Family Foundation, and the Clinical Practice Enhancement & Anesthesia Research Foundation.
References (80)
Panax ginseng pharmacologyA nitric oxide link?
Biochem Pharmacol
(1997)- et al.
Effect of Panax Ginseng root on conditioned avoidance response in rats
Jpn J Pharmacol
(1977) Actions of ginsenoside Rb1 on choline uptake in central cholinergic nerve endings
Neurochem Int
(1992)- et al.
Effects of ginsenosides on impaired performance induced in the rat by scopolamine in a radial-arm maze
Psychoneuroendocrinology
(1995) - et al.
Ginsenoside Rb1 regulates ChAT, NGF and trkA mRNA expression in the rat brain
Brain Res Mol Brain Res
(1997) - et al.
Protection of ischemic hippocampal neurons by ginsenoside Rb1, a main ingredient of ginseng root
Neurosci Res
(1997) - et al.
Interactions of ginsenosides with ligand-bindings of GABAA and GABAB receptors
Gen Pharmacol
(1994) - et al.
Modulation of American ginseng on brainstem GABAergic effects in the rat
J Ethnopharmacol
(1998) - et al.
Pharmacological studies of Panax Ginseng rootPharmacological properties of a crude saponin fraction
Jpn J Pharmacol
(1972) Cyclo (leucylglycine) inhibits the development of morphine induced analgesic tolerance and dopamine receptor supersensitivity in rats
Life Sci
(1980)