Ginsenosides for depression treatment: From benchside to bedside

Jiayu Xie; Feiya Zhu; Yang Zhao; Yiting Wang; Motlalepula G Matsabisa; Hlupheka Chabalala; Fernã; o Castro Braga; Minke Tang

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Ginsenosides for depression treatment: From benchside to bedside

Author: Jiayu Xie ¹ ; Feiya Zhu ¹ ; Yang Zhao ¹ ; Yiting Wang ¹ ; Motlalepula G. Matsabisa ² ; Hlupheka Chabalala ³ ; Fernão Castro Braga ⁴ ; Minke Tang ¹
Author Information

1. School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
2. Department of Pharmacology, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State
3. IK-Based Technology Innovations, Department of Science and Technology
4. Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: P. ginseng; Depression; Ginsenosides; Ginsenoside Rb1; Ginsenoside Rg1
From: Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(2):210-220
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Since the introduction of monoamine oxidase and monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of major depression in the 1950s, their strengths and limitations have been fully and accurately determined. Therefore, the development of novel drugs for the treatment of depression has become a priority for researchers who aim to address treatment resistance and improve patient outcomes. Panax ginseng C. A. Mey (P. ginseng, Ren Shen) is a Chinese medicine used to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders. Numerous studies have shown that ginsenosides, the primary active constituents of P. ginseng, exert a wide range of effects on the central nervous system. Recent studies have demonstrated that ginsenosides possess significant antidepressant properties in animal models. Ginsenosides, such as Rb1 and Rg1, are steroidal molecules, and steroid derivatives have been successfully used in anesthesia, epilepsy, and more recently, postpartum depression treatment. Based on these findings, ginsenosides are promising candidates for the treatment of depression. This raises the following question: What are the prospects of using ginsenosides to treat depression? To gain a clearer understanding, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent research on the antidepressant potential of ginsenosides, along with insights and suggestions for future development in this field.