Description
Ginsenoside Rg2 is a triterpene saponin originally found in species of Panax that exhibits anti-atherosclerotic, anti-diabetic, and neuroprotective activities. Ginsenoside Rg2 inhibits LPS-stimulated production of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, prevents degradation of IκBα, and suppresses leukocyte adhesion in models of atherosclerosis. Ginsenoside Rg2 also decreases production of PEPCK and G6Pase and phosphorylates AMPK and GSK-3β, suppressing hepatic glucose production in vitro. Additionally, this compound decreases expression of Bcl-2 and HSP70 and increases expression of Bax and p53, improving neural performance and cognition in animal models of vascular dementia.