GeneDec 26, 2025

Ginsenoside Rg1 may slow aging in yeast by promoting removal of damaged mitochondria through SSE1

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Abstract

Essence

Ginsenoside Rg1 extended chronological lifespan in yeast through SSE1-dependent mitophagy and improved mitochondrial stress responses.

Evidence

The evidence is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model experiment using propidium iodide staining, mitochondrial and antioxidant assays, RNA-Seq, bioinformatics, and an SSE1 knockout strain.

Caveat

The anti-aging claim is limited to yeast-cell experiments and does not show that Rg1 extends lifespan or treats aging in humans.

Simplified

Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), an active compound in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (ginseng), has shown potential to ameliorate age-related cell damage and extend lifespan in multiple model organisms. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of its anti-aging effects remain unclear. In this study, we explore the anti-aging mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg1, focusing on its impact on mitophagy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using propidium iodide staining, we found that Rg1 extends the chronological lifespan (CLS) of yeast cells. Further analyses revealed that Rg1 enhances mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity in yeast cells by inducing mitophagy. Moreover, RNA-Seq and bioinformatics analyses identified the molecular chaperone SSE1 as a key target of Rg1. SSE1 knockout strain demonstrated that Rg1 enhances mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity through SSE1-dependent mitophagy, thereby extending cell lifespan. Collectively, we concluded that Rg1 exerts its anti-aging effects through SSE1-mediated mitophagy. This study advances our understanding of Rg1-mediated mitophagy and mitochondrial regulation via SSE1, offering a foundation for the rational design of targeted anti-aging treatments.