The Role of Ginseng and its Bioactive Compounds in Aging: Cells and Animal Studies

Aging is an inevitable process that is characterized by physiological deterioration and increased vulnerability to stressors. Therefore, the interest in hallmarks, mechanisms, and ways to delay or prevent aging has grown for decades. Natural plant products and their bioactive compounds have been studied as a promising strategy to overcome aging. Ginseng, a traditional herbal medicine, and its bioactive compound, the ginsenosides, have increasingly gained attention because of various pharmacological functions. This review introduces the species, useful parts, characteristics, and active components of ginseng. It primarily focuses on the bioconversion of ginsenosides through the unique steaming and drying process. More importantly, this review enumerates the antiaging mechanisms of ginseng, ginsenosides, and other bioactive compounds, highlighting their potential to extend the health span and mitigate age-related diseases based on twelve representative hallmarks of aging.