Therapeutic Promise of the Panax Genus in Ulcerative Colitis: Unraveling the Multitarget Mechanisms of Saponins and Polysaccharides

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with a rising global incidence. Panax genus plants, recognized for their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, present as a promising therapeutic candidate. This review summarizes the last few decades of research on Panax species, including Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng, Panax quinquefolius, Panax japonicus, and Panax vietnamensis, for UC management. Therapeutic efficacy is primarily attributed to saponins (e.g., ginsenosides) and polysaccharides, which operate through distinct yet complementary pathways. Advancing beyond traditional single-species investigations, this work adopts a novel genus-wide perspective to elucidate functional synergy between bioactive families. Saponins exert precise immunomodulatory actions by inhibiting intracellular signaling cascades, including NF-κB, MAPK, and NLRP3 pathways, and modulating T-cell differentiation. Conversely, polysaccharides primarily orchestrate intestinal homeostasis at the epithelial interface by reinforcing barrier integrity and regulating microbial ecology. This comparative analysis identifies species-specific therapeutic advantages, establishing a strategic framework for sustainable resource utilization and precision drug development in UC therapy.