A Review of the Analgesic Potential and Mechanisms of Ginsenoside Rb1 in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

The use of ginseng has long been documented in classical texts of traditional Chinese medicine, where it is commonly used to treat conditions involving physical weakness and depletion, as well as pain-related disorders. Ginsenosides, as the primary active components of ginseng, are the focus of modern pharmacological research. Ginsenoside Rb1 (abbreviated as G-Rb1) is a tetracyclic triterpenoid compound that is abundantly distributed in ginseng. It exhibits multiple pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, and has been proven to exert notable therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent. Neuropathic pain (NP) involves complex mechanisms. Owing to its diverse pharmacological properties and potential to modulate multiple signaling pathways, G-Rb1 has emerged as a promising natural compound for investigating novel strategies for NP management. This review analyzes the possible mechanisms by which G-Rb1 may treat various diseases, explores its interactions with different signaling pathways, and demonstrates its feasibility in the treatment of NP. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature, G-Rb1 shows promise as a novel analgesic or as a complementary component for use in combination with other analgesic drugs. This paper provides a reference for further in-depth research on the application of G-Rb1 in the treatment of NP.