The Therapeutic Potential of Compound K, an Intestinal Metabolite Ginsenoside in SKELETAL MUSCLE DAMAGE

Excessive exercise causes the loss of inherent physiological function of the muscles through skeletal muscle lesioning. This damage can induce various complications such as nerve injury, vascular lesions, and osteocytes damage. At the molecular level, reactive oxygen species(ROS) play an important role in the development of mus-cle damage. Although the excess production of ROS induces oxidative stress, these molecules are inevitably pro-duced during the respiratory process of the human body. Therefore, ROS are important molecules in both physi-ological phenomena and as etiological factors. In the present review, we will address the role of antioxidants in skeletal muscle damage. Specifically, we will review studies suggesting that the intake of ginseng(the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) could be a strategy for treating skeletal muscle disorders. Ginseng is the most com-monly consumed herbal medicine for increasing stamina in athletes. However, numerous athletes consume gin-seng without understanding its pharmacological effects on the body. Hence, we will discuss the role of compound K in the biological and pharmacological effects of ginseng. In particular, we suggest that compound K is poten-tially useful against muscle damage.