Anticancer effect and molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 in various cancer types

Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), extracted from the root of Panax ginseng, is one of the most abundant ginsenosides. Rg3 exhibits anticancer activity in various cancer models in vitro and in vivo by modulating several signaling pathways, such as those of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, epidermal growth factor receptor, mitogen-activated protein kinases, p53, nuclear factor kappa-B, and reactive oxygen species. Besides, Rg3 can be used as adjunctive with conventional anticancer therapies, enhancing therapeutic effects and reversing drug resistance in cancer therapy. So, the purpose of this review is to provide a systematic summary and analysis the anticancer effects and the potential mechanisms of Rg3 extracted from ginseng.