20S-Protopanaxadiol, an aglycosylated ginsenoside metabolite, induces hepatic stellate cell apoptosis through LKB1-AMPK activation

Previously, we reported Korean Red Ginseng inhibited liver fibrosis in mice and reduced the expressions of fibrogenic genes in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The present study was undertaken to identify the major ginsenoside responsible for reducing numbers of HSCs and the underlying mechanism involved.