A review of the protection mechanisms of ginsenoside CK on cardiovascular disease and stroke

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), comprising coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart failure, and hypertension, predominantly originates from dysfunction or obstruction within the cardiac and vascular systems. It has persistently remained the leading cause of death worldwide. The classification of stroke is based on its pathogenesis, with ischemic and hemorrhagic types representing distinct classifications. The etiology of stroke is attributed to cerebral vascular occlusion or rupture. It is frequently associated with hypoxic injury and neuronal necrosis, which poses a significant burden on individuals and public health systems. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a secondary metabolite derived from the intestinal microbial transformation of protopanaxadiol type ginsenosides (e.g., Rb1, Rb2), exhibits high oral bioavailability and the capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier. Recent research has demonstrated that CK possesses antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities, inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and endothelial inflammation, and shows low toxicity along with antiarrhythmic potential in the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, CK demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and mitochondrial protective properties, exhibiting efficacy in models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion and cerebral ischemia. It exhibits good tolerability and safety without significant antagonism to other drugs and is increasingly recognized as a promising multi-target natural therapeutic candidate. The objective of this review is twofold: first, to synthesize recent findings on the mechanisms by which ginsenoside CK confers protection in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions; and second, to assess its translational potential and highlight its prospective role in next-generation cardiovascular therapies.