Potential application of ginseng in sepsis:: Applications of ginseng in sepsis

Sepsis and septic shock affect millions of people worldwide each year with high clinical mortality rates. At present, basic research on sepsis has emerged in an endless stream, but there are few effective clinical translation results. Ginseng, a medicinal and edible representative of Araliaceae plants, contains a variety of biologically active compounds including ginsenosides, alkaloids, glycosides, polysaccharides, and polypeptides. Neuromodulation, anticancer activity, blood lipid regulation, and antithrombotic activity have been linked to ginseng treatment. At present, basic and clinical research have suggested various applications of ginseng in sepsis. In view of the different effects of various ginseng components on the pathogenesis of sepsis, and in order to further understand and develop the possible value of ginseng in sepsis, this manuscript reviews the application of various components of ginseng in the treatment of sepsis in recent years.