Biochem/physiol Actions
20(R)-Ginsenoside Rh2, a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, acts as a cell antiproliferator. It has anticancer effects via blocking cell proliferation and causing G1 phase arrest. 20(R)-Ginsenoside Rh2 induces apoptosis, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity. 20(R)-Ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits the replication and proliferation of mouse and human gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) with an IC50 of 2.77 μM for murine MHV-68.
Ginsenoside Rh2 is a triterpene saponin found in Panax (ginseng) that exhibits immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, cognition enhancing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer activities. In CD8+ T cells, ginsenoside Rh2 increases production of IFN-γ and activation of p38 MAPK and ERK, resulting in an increase in cell proliferation. In animals undergoing the Morris water maze test, ginsenoside Rh2 improves spatial learning and memory. This compound also modulates expression of inflammatory markers, decreasing expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), CD14, TNF-α, IL-1α and HIF-1α, and inhibiting degradation of IκB kinase and translocation of NF-κB across various cellular models.
Uses
(20R)Ginsenoside Rh2, a natural compound found in Panax ginseng, which is a plant glycoside with a dammarane skeloton resembling a steroid skeleton. It shows antiviral and anticancer activities. It has an anti-cancer proliferation, differentiation and chemopreventive effects in certain cancer cell types. It is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor.
