Targeting pyroptosis: A novel strategy of ginseng for the treatment of diabetes and its chronic complications

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#panax #pyroptosis #humans #animals #diabetes-complications

Targeting pyroptosis: A novel strategy of ginseng for the treatment of diabetes and its chronic complications

Li et al., 2025 | Phytomedicine | Systematic Review

Citation

Li Ke, Wang Ya-Jun, ... Li Wei. Targeting pyroptosis: A novel strategy of ginseng for the treatment of diabetes and its chronic complications. Phytomedicine. 2025-Mar;138:156430. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156430

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pyroptosis is a recently identified form of programmed cell death that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes and associated chronic complications, while the occurrence mechanism remains unclear. Ginseng (Panax Ginseng C. A. Mey.) is a valuable traditional medicinal material with proved therapeutic effects on prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetic complications. Targeting pyroptosis pathway has become a focus of study for ginseng in improvement of diabetes and related chronic complications. PURPOSE: The review aims to elucidate the happening mechanism of pyroptosis in diabetes and diabetic chronic complications, evaluate the effects of ginseng and its active components on diabetes and its chronic complications via pyroptosis-related pathways, and provide a new perspective for the management of diabetes. METHODS: We conducted the literature retrieval with PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases in a systematic manner (up to August 2024). The keywords included pyroptosis, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic neuropathy, ginseng, ginseng extract, and ginsenoside. The obtained literatures were comprehensively sorted out. RESULTS: Oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and inflammatory responses were primary contributors to pyroptosis in diabetes and associated chronic complications. In addition, some RNA molecules (miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs) also contributed to pyroptosis under hyperglycemia. The signaling pathways mainly included Nrf2/HO-1, IκB/NF-κB/NLRP3, NOX1/NOX4/TXNIP, and P2X7R/TXNIP/NLRP3. Ginseng extracts, some ginsenosides and flavonoid (Quercetin) could exert anti-diabetic effect by regulating pyroptosis-related pathways. We also discussed the toxicity, side effects and clinical applications of ginseng. CONCLUSION: In summary, this review elucidates the happening mechanisms of pyroptosis in diabetes and associated chronic complications, and summarizes published studies about ginseng and its active ingredients in improving diabetes by regulating pyroptosis-related pathways. However, almost all researches are limited to animal and cell experiments, and more clinical trials are required to prove the therapeutic effect of ginseng on diabetes by targeting pyroptosis.

Key Findings

Oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and inflammatory responses were primary contributors to pyroptosis in diabetes and associated chronic complications. In addition, some RNA molecules (miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs) also contributed to pyroptosis under hyperglycemia. The signaling pathways mainly included Nrf2/HO-1, IκB/NF-κB/NLRP3, NOX1/NOX4/TXNIP, and P2X7R/TXNIP/NLRP3. Ginseng extracts, some ginsenosides and flavonoid (Quercetin) could exert anti-diabetic effect by regulati

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Panax
  • Pyroptosis
  • Humans
  • Animals
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Ginsenosides
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Plant Extracts
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: quercetin

Provenance

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