癌症是全球公共卫生问题，已成为全球第二大死亡原因。考虑到放疗或化疗的副作用，天然植物化学物质是缓解副作用和并发症的有前途的替代治疗方法。人参皂苷Rh2（GRh2）是从人参中提取的主要植物化学物质，具有抗癌活性。GRh2可以诱导癌细胞凋亡和自噬，并在体外和体内抑制增殖、转移、侵袭和血管生成。此外，GRh2可以用作辅助化疗药物，增强抗癌效果并逆转不良反应。在这里，我们总结了GRh2抗癌效应分子机制的理解，并提出了未来方向，以促进GRh2的开发和应用。© 2022年韩国人参学会。Elsevier B.V提供出版服务。

Cancer is a global public health issue that becomes the second primary cause of death globally. Considering the side effects of radio- or chemo-therapy, natural phytochemicals are promising alternatives for therapeutic interventions to alleviate the side effects and complications. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is the main phytochemical extracted from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer with anticancer activity. GRh2 could induce apoptosis and autophagy of cancer cells and inhibit proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In addition, GRh2 could be used as an adjuvant to chemotherapeutics to enhance the anticancer effect and reverse the adverse effects. Here we summarized the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of GRh2 and proposed future directions to promote the development and application of GRh2.© 2022 The Korean Society of Ginseng. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.