Description

Ginsenosides are pharmacologically active natural constituents of ginseng and other plants of the genus Panax. Structurally, they are steroid glycosides derived from the triterpene squalene. Ginsenoside Rd is a protopanaxadiol which is more abundant in some Panax species (e.g., P. quinquefolium) than others. This ginsenoside has diverse in vitro and in vivo effects, including cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory actions. Notably, ginsenoside Rd is converted to other ginsenosides in response to steaming or heating plant materials, leading to loss of these activities.

Uses

Ginsenoside RD has been shown to attenuate tau protein phosphorylation via the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway after forebrain ischemia. This could be used to counter the risk of developing post-stroke dementia.