Ameliorative effects of ginsenosides on myelosuppression induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy

and ethnopharmacological relevance: As the major side effect of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, myelosuppression usually leads to anemia, hemorrhage, immunosuppression, and even fatal infections, which may discontinue the process of cancer treatment. As a result, more and more attention is paid to the treatment of myelosuppression. Ginseng, root of Panax ginseng Meyer (Panax ginseng C. A. Mey), is considered as the king of herbs in the Orient, particularly in China, Korea and Japan. Ginsenosides, the most important active ingredients of ginseng, have been shown to have a variety of therapeutic effects, such as neuroprotective, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties. Considering that ginsenosides are closely associated with the pathogenesis of myelosuppression, researchers have carried out a few experiments on ginsenosides to attenuate myelosuppression induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy in recent years. To summarize previous studies about the effects of ginsenosides on alleviating myelosuppression and the mechanisms of action. Literatures in this review were searched in PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Ginsenosides play an important role in relieving myelosuppression predominantly by restoring hematopoiesis and immunity. Ginsenosides might be potential candidates for the treatment of myelosuppression induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy.