Narrative review discusses ginsenosides for skin conditions including psoriasis and dermatitis with noted evidence gaps.

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Frontiers in Medicine Published April 24, 2026 Medically reviewed April 24, 2026 DOI ↗ By Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

Key Takeaway

Note insufficient clinical evidence and low bioavailability for ginsenosides in skin conditions.

This narrative review evaluates the potential applications of ginsenosides across a range of dermatological conditions, including psoriasis, dermatitis, photoaging, chronic non-healing wounds, and skin melanoma. The scope of the discussion encompasses the theoretical mechanisms and existing literature surrounding these compounds for skin health. However, the authors explicitly state that the population, sample size, and specific setting for these findings were not reported in the source material.

The key synthesized argument centers on the current lack of robust clinical data. The review identifies low oral bioavailability as a primary pharmacokinetic limitation that hinders the therapeutic potential of ginsenosides. Furthermore, the authors conclude that there is insufficient clinical evidence to draw firm conclusions about efficacy or safety profiles for these specific indications. No specific adverse events, tolerability data, or discontinuation rates were reported in the source text.

Given the absence of randomized controlled trial data and the noted limitations, the practice relevance remains uncertain. Clinicians should interpret these findings with caution, recognizing that the evidence base is currently inadequate to support routine clinical adoption for the listed skin conditions. The review serves primarily to outline existing knowledge gaps rather than to provide actionable treatment guidelines.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Ginsenosides, the primary bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. (Araliaceae), have attracted growing attention in dermatological research. A wide range of in vitro and in vivo studies has demonstrated that ginsenosides exert diverse biological effects encompassing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, wound-healing, and antitumor activities. Given the multifactorial pathogenesis of most skin disorders, the multitarget potential of ginsenosides renders them particularly promising for cutaneous diseases. In this review, we summarize the chemical composition and classification of ginsenosides, as well as recent advances in their application against major skin conditions, including psoriasis, dermatitis, photoaging, chronic non-healing wounds, and skin melanoma. Mechanistically, ginsenosides modulate multiple signaling pathways related to inflammation, oxidative stress, skin barrier function, and tissue repair, such as NF-κB/NLRP3, PI3K/Akt/mTOR/MAPK, Nrf2/HO-1, and TGF-β/Smads. We also discuss the synergistic effects among different ginsenoside metabolites and their combined targeted interventions. Despite promising preclinical findings, challenges remain in clinical translation, such as low oral bioavailability and insufficient clinical evidence. Future studies should focus on novel delivery systems, precise target identification, and high-quality clinical trials to promote the development and application of ginsenoside-based therapies in dermatology.