Anticancer effects and potential mechanisms of ginsenoside Rh2 in various cancer types (Review)
Haibo Zhang, Song Park, Hai Huang, Eungyung Kim, Junkoo Yi, Seong‐Kyoon Choi, Zae Young Ryoo, Myoung-Ok Kim
Abstract
Ginsenoside Rh2 (G‑Rh2) is a natural bioactive product derived from <em>Panax ginseng</em> Meyer (<em>P. ginseng</em>). G‑Rh2 exhibits anticancer activity in various human cancer cell lines both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> by modulating several signaling pathways, such as those of PDZ‑binding kinase/T‑LAK cell‑originated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase, protein kinase B, mammalian target of rapamycin, epidermal growth factor receptor, p53, and reactive oxygen species. Moreover, G‑Rh2 could effectively reverse drug resistance and enhance therapeutic effects in cancer therapy. This review summarizes the chemical properties, <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> anticancer activity, and underlying molecular mechanisms of G‑Rh2 to facilitate cancer chemoprevention studies.