Recent advances in delivery systems of ginsenosides for oral diseases

Background: Ginsenosides, the principal active ingredients in ginseng, have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, osteogenic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Oral diseases afflict about half of the world's population. Ginsenosides' multifunctional properties have led to substantial investigation into their potential to prevent and treat oral disorders. However, their low absorption and poor targeting limit their effectiveness. Purpose: This review summarizes the latest research progress on ginsenoside-based drug delivery systems and the potential of ginsenosides in preventing and treating oral diseases to provide a theoretical basis for clinical applications. Methods: Using "ginsenoside", "drug delivery", "nanoparticles", "liposomes", "hydrogel", "oral disease", "toxicology", "pharmacology", "clinical translation" and combinations of these keywords in PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The search was conducted until December 2024. Results: The limitations of natural ginsenosides can be overcome by utilizing drug delivery systems to improve pharmacological activity, bioavailability and targeting. The multifunctional pharmacological activities of ginsenosides offer promising avenues for treating oral diseases. In addition, the susceptibility of the oral cavity to infection by pathogenic bacteria and the diluting effect of saliva pose significant challenges to treatment. The emergence of drug delivery marks a breakthrough in addressing these issues. Conclusion: Ginsenoside-based drug delivery methods improve bioactivity, targeting, and reduce costs. This review emphasizes current advancements in ginsenosides within novel drug delivery systems, specifically on its potential in preventing and treating oral disorders. However, multiple well-designed clinical trials are needed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of these drugs.