Neuroprotective Effects of Gypenosides and Their Underlying Mechanisms

Neurological disorders, as one of the most common causes of human death and disability, increase year by year. To date, there are no effective therapeutic drugs in the clinic, and the drugs in trials often fail to enter the stage of clinical application because of their inevitable adverse reactions. Gypenosides, extracted from the Jiaogulan plant and used in traditional Chinese medicine, have been widely reported for their neuroprotective effects. This review summarizes the literature related to the neuroprotective effects of gypenosides published up to 2022, focusing on the protective effects and research progress of using gypenosides in the treatment of various neurological disorders and discussing the underlying mechanisms behind these effects. In recent years, abundant research has revealed that gypenosides play a prominent role in protecting nerve cells in stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression and other neurological disorders. Furthermore, the results indicate that the neuroprotective effects of gypenosides involve antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, regulation of neurotrophic factors, activation of the gut-brain axis, etc. However, all the data are based on animal models and cell experiments, and there is still a long way before any successful application in the clinic. This review aims to provide scientific evidence for the further exploitation of gypenosides in neurological disorders.