title: Ginsenoside Rd for acute ischemic stroke: translating from bench to bedside.
abstract: Numerous studies have identified pathophysiological mechanisms of acute ischemic stroke and have provided proof-of-principle evidence that strategies designed to impede the ischemic cascade, namely neuroprotection, can protect the ischemic brain. However, the translation of these therapeutic agents to the clinic has not been successful. Ginsenoside Rd, a dammarane-type steroid glycoside extracted from ginseng plants, has exhibited an encouraging neuroprotective efficacy in both laboratory and clinical studies. This article attempts to provide a synopsis of the physiochemical profile, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, safety and putative therapeutic mechanisms of Rd. Finally, the authors discuss the validity of Rd as a neuroprotective agent for acute ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, China.
authors.forename: Ruidong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xinfeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C049863:ginsenoside Rd