Targeting cancer epigenetics with PPD-type ginsenosides: A systematic review of mechanisms and therapeutic potential

For centuries, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been widely employed in traditional medicine, and its primary therapeutic constituents are a class of compounds known as ginsenosides. In particular, protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenosides exhibit potent anticancer properties, largely mediated through epigenetic mechanisms.

This review systematically examines the anticancer effects of PPD-type ginsenosides, with particular emphasis on their epigenetic mechanisms. To contextualize the structural diversity underlying their pharmacological activities, biotechnological production and transformation strategies are briefly outlined. The review then highlights advances in epigenetics-related pathways and concludes with a prospective outlook on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for drug discovery, structure-activity prediction, and therapeutic optimization in ginsenoside research.

A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature searches were performed across major academic databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, and PubMed) to identify studies investigating the epigenetic anticancer mechanisms of PPD-type ginsenosides.

PPD-type ginsenosides exert significant anticancer activity primarily through epigenetic regulation. Biotechnological advances support improved ginsenoside production and bioavailability, while AI remains an exploratory tool with potential future roles in compound screening and therapeutic optimization.

The epigenetic targeting capabilities of PPD-type ginsenosides represent a promising avenue for cancer therapy. While current evidence supports their potential in precision oncology, further interdisciplinary efforts are essential to translate these mechanisms into clinically viable treatments.