A Preclinical Systematic Review of Ginsenoside-Rg1 in Experimental Parkinson's Disease

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017:2017:2163053. doi: 10.1155/2017/2163053. Epub 2017 Mar 13.

Abstract

To date, no drug has been proven to be neuroprotective or disease-modifying for Parkinson's disease (PD) in clinical trials. Here, we aimed to assess preclinical evidence of Ginsenosides-Rg1 (G-Rg1), a potential neuroprotectant, for experimental PD and its possible mechanisms. Eligible studies were identified by searching six electronic databases from their inception to August 2016. Twenty-five eligible studies involving 516 animals were identified. The quality score of these studies ranged from 3 to 7. Compared with the control group, two out of the 12 studies of MPTP-induced PD showed significant effects of G-Rg1 for improving the rotarod test (P < 0.01), two studies for improving the swim-score values (P < 0.01), six studies for improving the level of TH protein expression (P < 0.01), and two studies for increasing the expression of TH mRNA in the substantia nigra of mice (P < 0.01). The studies reported that G-Rg1 exerted potential neuroprotective effects on PD model through different mechanisms as antineuroinflammatory activities (n = 10), antioxidant stress (n = 3), and antiapoptosis (n = 11). In conclusion, G-Rg1 exerted potential neuroprotective functions against PD largely by antineuroinflammatory, antioxidative, and antiapoptotic effects. G-Rg1 as a promising neuroprotectant for PD needs further confirmation by clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Ginsenosides / pharmacology*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Parkinson Disease / prevention & control*
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy

Substances

  • Ginsenosides
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • ginsenoside Rg1