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Ginsenosides and their metabolites: a review of their pharmacological activities in the skin

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Abstract

Ginsenosides are representative pharmaceutical compounds found in various forms in Panax ginseng, a traditional medicinal plant. They are converted to their metabolites Rg2, Rg3, compound K, and others by human intestinal microflora following ingestion. Numerous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of ginsenosides against aberrant molecular processes responsible for cancer, metabolic diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, antiaging effects of ginsenosides in human skin have been reported from clinical trial and in vitro model data. Ginsenosides have hence been proposed as promising natural cosmeceutical agents. In this review, we will critically review the known biological effects of several ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg3, Rd and compound K), such as anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, which arise from the modulation of diverse molecular pathways. The application potential of ginsenosides as cosmeceutical ingredients will also be reviewed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Leap Research Program Grant (2010-0029233) of the National Research Foundation, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, Republic of Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, Republic of Korea

    Tae-Gyu Lim & Ki Won Lee

  2. The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA

    Tae-Gyu Lim & Zigang Dong

  3. Department of Food Science and Technology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY, USA

    Charles C. Lee

  4. WCU Biomodulation Major, Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Ki Won Lee

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  1. Tae-Gyu Lim
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Lim, TG., Lee, C.C., Dong, Z. et al. Ginsenosides and their metabolites: a review of their pharmacological activities in the skin. Arch Dermatol Res 307, 397–403 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-015-1569-8

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