Ginsenosides against non-small cell lung cancer：advances in mechanisms of action
- VernacularTitle:人参皂苷抗非小细胞肺癌作用机制的研究进展
- Author:
Junsong GUO
1
;
Ying LI
2
;
Haixia LIU
3
;
Yang LUO
1
;
Yongzhong WANG
2
Author Information
1. School of Life Sciences and Laboratory Medicine，Kunming Medical University，Kunming 650500，China;School of Bioengineering，Chongqing University，Chongqing 400044，China
2. School of Bioengineering，Chongqing University，Chongqing 400044，China
3. Dept. of Cardiology，Chongqing University Cancer Hospital，Chongqing 400030，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Ginsenosides;
non-small cell lung cancer;
malignant phenotype;
tumor microenvironment;
combination therapy
- From:
China Pharmacy
2026;37(20):2753-2758
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Long-term outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） are challenged by acquired resistance， recurrence and metastasis， as well as an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years， the antitumor effects of ginsenosides Rg 3 ， Rh 2 ， Rh 4 and Re， as well as their metabolite compound K （CK）， in NSCLC have attracted increasing attention. This review summarizes the mechanisms of different ginsenosides with respect to the malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells， the tumor microenvironment and immune responses， as well as their use in combination therapy. Available evidence indicates that ginsenoside Rg 3 inhibits cell proliferation， epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis； reduces programmed death-ligand 1 glycosylation and thereby its stability； and enhances the antitumor effects of certain chemotherapeutic agents， epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and radiotherapy regimens. Ginsenoside Rh 2 mainly regulates apoptosis， glycolysis and cancer stemness， and modulates tumor-associated macrophages. Ginsenoside Rh 4 is involved in ferroptosis， ginsenoside Re in endoplasmic reticulum stress and M2 macrophage polarization， and CK in autophagy and hypoxic metabolism. At present， ginsenoside Rg 3 combined with chemotherapy has been clinically evaluated， whereas evidence for the other ginsenosides is still mainly preclinical. Future studies should standardize formulations， incorporate molecular features and resistance mechanisms into stratified studies， clarify the dose， sequence and safety of combination regimens， and confirm the long-term benefits of ginsenosides as an adjunctive intervention for NSCLC in well-designed prospective clinical trials.
