Research Progress on the Mechanisms Underlying the Amelioration of Alcoholic Liver Disease by Major Functional Components of Ginseng

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a hepatic disorder caused by chronic or excessive alcohol consumption, covers a spectrum of hepatic pathologies, ranging from simple steatosis and alcoholic hepatitis to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of ALD is multifaceted and complex, primarily involving interactions among multiple mechanisms, including oxidative stress from ethanol metabolism, immune responses, inflammatory injury induced by gut-liver axis disruption, and organelle dysfunction. Ginseng as a traditional edible and medicinal herb, contains various bioactive components that exhibit significant biological activities and hepatoprotective effects. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms by which the main functional components of ginseng including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, terpenoids, and other active constituents alleviate ALD. In addition, this article summarized the research progress on ginseng and its functional components in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress, inducing autophagy, mitigating oxidative stress, and protecting against mitochondrial damage. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the improvement of alcoholic liver injury by ginseng and its components, and to offer scientific references for the further development and utilization of ginseng-based functional foods.