Ginseng For Alzheimer's Disease

Lane Simonian

The most recent study on ginseng for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia discusses why this treatment may be effective for these two types of dementia.

Abstract: Dementia has become one of the most important diseases threatening human health. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) have the highest incidence rates among the types of dementia, but until now, therapeutic methods have been limited. Panax ginseng has been used in China for thousands of years to treat dementia, and modern medical studies have found that it contains multiple active components, such as ginsenosides, polysaccharides, amino acids, volatile oils and polyacetylenes, many of which have therapeutic effects in treating AD and VaD. Studies have found that ginsenosides have multitarget therapeutic effects in treating dementia, such as regulation of synaptic plasticity and the cholinergic system, inhibition of Ab aggravation and tau hyperphosphorylation, anti-neuroinflammation, anti-oxidation effects and anti-apoptosis effects. Other active components of Panax ginseng, such as gintonin, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and ginseng proteins, also have therapeutic effects on AD and VaD. The effectiveness of ginseng-containing Chinese medicine compounds has also been confirmed by clinical and basic investigations in treating AD and VaD. In this review, we summarized the potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms of Panax ginseng in treating AD and VaD to provide some examples for further studies.

Conclusion and perspective: As the most common types of dementia, AD and VaD have aroused widespread concern worldwide. Although there are many hypotheses regarding their pathogenesis, their therapeutic methods need to be further explored. The use of Panax ginseng in AD and VaD treatment has been studied for years. Panax ginseng alone, ginsenosides and other active components of Panax ginseng and Panax ginseng-containing Chinese medicine compounds have therapeutic effects on AD and VaD through multiple mechanisms, such as anti-neuroinflammation, antioxidation and anti-apoptosis; inhibition of Ab aggravation and tau hyperphosphorylation, targeting the cholinergic system; and regulation of gut microflora, synaptic plasticity and autophagy. Most of these compounds target multiple therapeutic effects, and as there has been no breakthrough in the research of single target drugs in the treatment of dementia, Panax ginseng could be a potential treatment. The therapeutic effects of Rb1, Rg1 and Compound K on AD and VaD have been widely studied and deserve more attention. Although the compatibility law and mechanism of Chinese medicine compounds need to be further clarified, many randomized controlled clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness and safety of Panax ginseng-containing Chinese medicine compounds in the treatment of AD and VaD. Considering the complexity of the pathogenesis of dementia, Chinese medicine compounds may be a feasible treatment approach. Based on the above analysis and summary, we believe that Panax ginseng has great potential in AD and VaD treatment and warrants further research and development.

https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/306199/1-s2.0-S1226845323X00049/1-s2.0-S1226845323000271/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEA8aCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJG

ButterflyWings

Thank you for this! I am adding some self-care in the form of paying attention to my own brain health. When you see how prevalent dementias are -- and it seems to be really increasing-- it just makes sense. This use of Panax ginseng as a treatment is something that I would definitely consider trying. Both for DH and for me if appropriate for either or both. I like the natural, holistic health approach generally, and really appreciate the knowledge you always share with everyone to be aware of options and make their own choices.

Lane Simonian

Much appreciated, ButterflyWings. Best wishes to both you and your husband.