Ginsenoside Ro is a non-steroid glycoside that has been found in plants of the genus Panax and has anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antiviral biological activities. It inhibits LPS-induced release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and COX-2 protein expression in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages when used at a concentration of 200 μM. Ginsenoside Ro dose-dependently inhibits human platelet aggregation induced by thrombin in vitro and thrombin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in rats when administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg. It increases the 20-day survival of Sendai virus-infected mice when administered at a dose of 1 mg per day for three days prior to infection. Topical administration of ginsenoside Ro (0.2 mg per animal) also stimulates hair regrowth after shaving in a mouse model of slowed hair regrowth.
