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Updated: Jul 27, 2025

Ole Isacson: Development of New Therapies for Parkinson's Disease
Published on: April 29, 2007
Ginsenosides can target brain-derived neurotrophic factor to improve Parkinson's disease
Yingying Ding1,2, Benson O A Botchway3,4, Yong Zhang1
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang, China. liuxueh6588@126.com.
Abstract:
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease (ND). It is the progressive loss of neurons and abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein due to multiple etiologies. Currently, supportive treatment is the only intervention for PD. However, supportive treatment has serious side effects. Ginsenosides, a group of sterol compounds, are the main active ingredients of ginseng. They have a potential role in NDs and psychosis. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) signaling pathway is closely related to the growth, survival and differentiation of neurons. Ginsenosides exert a neuroprotective role in NDs and psychosis by upregulating BDNF and activating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway. Herein, we analyzed the relationship between ginsenosides, BDNF, the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway, NDs, and psychosis. We hypothesize that ginsenosides may protect neurons to improve PD by activating the BDNF/TrkB pathway.
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