Bioactive Constituents of Ginseng in Cancer Therapy: Molecular Mechanisms, Translational Potential, and Advanced Delivery Strategies

Abstract

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, highlighting the urgent need to develop safer and more effective therapeutic drugs. Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.), as a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, has attracted much attention for its extensive anticancer potential and a variety of biologically active ingredients (especially ginseng saponins and polysaccharides). This article reviews the latest research progress on the pharmacological activity and molecular mechanism of ginseng extract in cancer treatment, focusing on its inhibition of tumor growth, inducing cell apoptosis, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and metastasis, reshaping the tumor microenvironment, enhancing antitumor immunity, regulating metabolic reprogramming, and regulating epigenetics. In addition, this article also explores their potential to overcome multi-drug resistance and enhance the efficacy of traditional chemotherapy drugs. In recent years, a variety of drug delivery systems, including polymer nanoparticles, lipids, and micelles, have been developed to improve the bioavailability, stability, and tumor targeting of these compounds. This article also focuses on the current progress and challenges in clinical transformation, especially in the development and application of ginseng saponin preparations. In a word, this article provides a comprehensive review of ginseng-derived drugs from the perspective of pharmacology and translational medicine, and looks forward to the future direction of their reasonable development in cancer treatment.