title: Compound K derived from ginseng: neuroprotection and cognitive improvement.
abstract: The evidence for the neuroprotective and cognitive effects of compound K, a metabolite biotransformed from ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, and Rc, is reviewed here. Compound K is more bioavailable than other ginsenosides and therefore has greater potential to exert bioactive functions in the body. Although the capability of compound K to cross the blood-brain barrier is not clear, it has been reported to have neuroprotective and cognition enhancing effects and decrease inflammatory biomarkers in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and cerebral ischemia. The plethora of potential health benefits of compound K warrants further research to evaluate its biochemical mechanisms and its ability to protect healthy populations from neurodegenerative diseases.
authors: School of Food Science and Biotechnology (BK21 plus), Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea. vision@knu.ac.kr.
authors: Jisun
authors: J
authors: Oh
authors: School of Food Science and Biotechnology (BK21 plus), Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea. vision@knu.ac.kr.
authors: Jong-Sang
authors: JS
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C112772:ginsenoside compound K