Mechanisms of ginsenosides exert neuroprotective effects on spinal cord injury: A promising traditional Chinese medicine

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to loss of sensory and motor functions, reducing quality of life and social independence. SCI is caused by trauma and the inability of the CNS to replace lost cells and connections. Ginsenosides, derived from Panax ginseng, are traditional Chinese medicines with reported therapeutic effects on diabetes, cancer, stress, inflammation, immune stimulation, and cardiovascular diseases. Research suggests that ginsenosides have antioxidant and neuroprotective properties that could reduce secondary complications in SCI patients. This review discusses the mechanisms of ginsenosides against SCI from different perspectives, including anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, anti-oxidative stress, and inhibition of glial scar formation, suggesting that ginsenosides may be used as adjunctive therapy to promote neurological recovery after further verification.

• 1
  Ginsenosides exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by modulating the activity of microglia and astrocytes, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and influencing T lymphocyte recruitment and infiltration into the spinal cord.
• 2
  Ginsenosides possess anti-apoptotic properties, inhibiting neuronal cell apoptosis by regulating the caspase family, influencing autophagy, modulating aquaporin-4 (AQP4) expression to reduce spinal cord edema, and improving mitochondrial function.
• 3
  Ginsenosides demonstrate anti-oxidative stress effects by reducing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), and modulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.