Ginsenosides as regulators of energy metabolism: benefits and mechanisms

Ginsenosides represent a fascinating class of natural products with diverse biological activities and therapeutic potential. While it is debatable whether modulating energy metabolism is the most prominent function of ginsenosides, it is nevertheless a pivotal function shared by most of these compounds. This review aims to provide an overview of the beneficial effects of ginsenosides on energy metabolism and to elucidate their underlying molecular mechanisms. We tease out the versatile roles of ginsenosides in regulating energy metabolism by integrating evidence from studies on the cardiovascular, hepatic, skeletal muscle, and central nervous systems, as well as systemic metabolic disorders and cancer. A key finding is that ginsenosides not only exert common regulatory effects on mitochondrial energetics, substrate utilization, and oxidative stress, but also tailor their actions to meet the distinct energetic demands and metabolic characteristics of different organs. In addition, most ginsenosides do not specifically target a single organ; instead, they enhance the metabolic adaptability of multiple organs across various pathophysiological conditions, particularly through the restoration of energy homeostasis. This highlights that ginsenosides function not merely as energy boosters, as previously thought, but more likely serve as harmonizers of energy balance. Furthermore, this review illuminates future research directions for ginsenosides, paving the way for advanced applications in disease treatment and health promotion.