Ginseng and ginsenosides: Therapeutic potential for sarcopenia

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a progressive syndrome that results in a decline in skeletal muscle mass and strength. This affects patients’ quality of life and increases the risk of falls and fractures, particularly among the elderly. With the aging of the population and the increasing number of patients with modern chronic diseases, the prevalence and complications of sarcopenia have increased, involving Akt-mediated signaling pathways, mitochondrial activity, satellite cell differentiation, inflammation and so on. Ginseng is a traditional herb medicine with extremely high medicinal value and possesses multiple pharmacological effects. This article summarizes such impacts of ginseng extracts and active ingredients on sarcopenia, and analyzes their related signaling pathways, so as to provide a reference for future research regarding the application of ginseng and ginsenosides as a potential therapy for sarcopenia.

Keywords

• Sarcopenia
• Muscle atrophy
• Signaling pathways
• Autophagy
• Mitochondria
• Ginseng