Targeting Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α: A Novel Mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg1 for Brain Repair after Hypoxia/Ischemia Brain Damage

Hypoxia/ischemia brain damage (HIBD) is one of the most common central nervous system insults in newborns. Brain repair following HIBD is closely associated with cellular processes such as cell survival, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis. In recent years, many studies have suggested that ginsenoside Rg1, one of the major active ingredients of ginseng, may increase neural viability, promote angiogenesis, and induce neurogenesis. However, there are few reports on roles of Rg1 in HIBD repair, and the mechanisms involved are unclear. Recently, a Chinese drug consisting of Rg1 has been shown to be a potential regulator of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression in HIBD. Since it has been shown that HIF-1α is a key transcription factor involved in the neuroprotective response to HIBD, it is possible that Rg1 could facilitate the process of brain repair, possibly modulating cell survival, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis after HIBD by targeting HIF-1α.