Targeting Sirtuin 1 signaling pathway by ginsenosides

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ginseng is a kind of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, known as "king of herbs" and widely used in China, South Korea, and other Asian countries. Ginsenosides are one of active components of Panax ginseng Meyer, which have many pharmacological effects, such as enhancing memory, improving immunity and cardiovascular system, delaying aging, and preventing cancer.

Aims of the review: This review aims to summarize the recent findings for ginsenosides targeting Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) signaling pathway for the prevention and treatment of a series of diseases.

Materials and methods: An up-to-August 2020 search was carried out in databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and classic books of traditional Chinese medicine using the keywords: "SIRT1", and/or paired with "ginseng", and "ginsenosides".

Results: SIRT1 is a class-III histone deacetylase (HDAC), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent enzyme, which is deeply involved in a series of pathological processes. Based on specific intracellular localization, SIRT1 has various cytoplasmic and nuclear targets and plays a potential role in energy metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, tumorigenesis, and aging. Ginsenosides are generally classified into three groups and microbially transformed to final metabolites. Among of them, most ginsenosides have been reported as SIRT1 activators, especially those ginsenosides with two glucopyranosyl groups on the C-3 position. Importantly, many ginsenosides can be used to prevent and treat oxidative stress, inflammation, aging, tumorigenesis, depression, and others by targeting SIRT1 signaling pathway.

Conclusions: This paper reviews recent evidences of ginsenosides targeting SIRT1 for the first time, which could provide new insights on the preclinical and clinical researches for ginsenosides against multiple disorders.

Keywords: Energy metabolism; Ginseng; Ginsenosides; NAD(+); SIRT1.