Ginsenoside Rb1 in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: A review of therapeutic potentials and molecular mechanisms

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs), which are circulatory system diseases caused by heart defects and vascular diseases, are the major noncommunicable diseases affecting global public health. With the improvement of economic level and the change of human lifestyle, the prevalence of CCVDs continues to increase. Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.) was widely used in traditional diseases due to its supposed tonic properties. Ginsenoside Rb₁ (G-Rb₁) is the most abundant active ingredient with multiple pharmacological effects extracted from ginseng, which has been shown to have potential benefits on the cardiovascular system through a variety of mechanisms, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, regulation of vasodilation, reduction of platelet adhesion, influence of calcium ion channels, improvement of lipid distribution, involving in glucose metabolism and controlling blood sugar. This review reviewed the protective effects of G-Rb₁ on CCVDs and its potential mechanisms, such as atherosclerosis (AS), hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), ischemic stroke (IS) and periocular microvascular retinopathy. Finally, we reviewed and reported the results of in vivo and in vitro experiments using G-Rb₁ to improve CCVDs, highlighted its efficacy, safety, and limitations.