Efficacy of ginsenoside Rg1 on rodent models of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#ginsenosides #animals #depression #disease-models-animal #antidepressive-agents

Efficacy of ginsenoside Rg1 on rodent models of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Wang et al., 2025 | Psychopharmacology (Berl) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wang Ya-Ting, Wang Xiao-Le, ... Zhang Yi. Efficacy of ginsenoside Rg1 on rodent models of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2025-May;242(5):1137-1155. doi:10.1007/s00213-024-06649-y

Abstract

RATIONALE: Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disease, and ginsenoside Rg1 is a bioactive compound extracted from the root of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. To systematically investigate the effectiveness of Rg1 in rodent models of depression and provide evidence-based references for treating depression. METHODS: Electronic searches for rodent studies were performed from inception to October 2022, e.g., PUBMED and EMBASE. Data extraction and quality evaluation were performed for the references, and meta-analysis was performed on the selected data using Review Manager 5.3.5. The outcomes were analyzed via a random-effect model and presented as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 24 studies and 678 animals were included in this meta-analysis. Rg1 remarkably improved depressive-like symptoms of depressed rodents, including the sucrose preference test (25.08, 95% CI: 20.17-30.00, Z = 10.01, P < 0.00001), forced swimming test (MD = -37.69, 95% CI: (-45.18, -30.2); Z = 9.86, P < 0.00001), and the tail suspension test (MD = -22.93, seconds, 95% CI: (-38.49, -7.37); Z = 2.89, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The main antidepressant mechanism of Rg1 was concluded to be the neurotransmitter system, oxidant stress system, and inflammation. Conclusively, this study indicated the possible protective and therapeutic effects of Rg1 for treating depression via multiple mechanisms.

Key Findings

A total of 24 studies and 678 animals were included in this meta-analysis. Rg1 remarkably improved depressive-like symptoms of depressed rodents, including the sucrose preference test (25.08, 95% CI: 20.17-30.00, Z = 10.01, P < 0.00001), forced swimming test (MD = -37.69, 95% CI: (-45.18, -30.2); Z = 9.86, P < 0.00001), and the tail suspension test (MD = -22.93, seconds, 95% CI: (-38.49, -7.37); Z = 2.89, P = 0.004).

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 24
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Ginsenosides
  • Animals
  • Depression
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Rats
  • Panax
  • Mice

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: ginseng

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09