Ginsenosides, the main components isolated from Panax ginseng, can play a therapeutic role by inducing
tumor cell apoptosis and reducing proliferation, invasion,
metastasis; by enhancing immune regulation; and by reversing
tumor cell multidrug resistance. However, clinical applications have been limited because of
ginsenosides' physical and chemical properties such as low solubility and poor stability, as well as their short half-life, easy elimination, degradation, and other pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. In recent years, developing a
ginsenoside delivery system for bifunctional drugs or carriers has attracted much attention from researchers. To create a precise treatment strategy for
cancer, a variety of
nano delivery systems and preparation technologies based on
ginsenosides have been conducted (e.g.,
polymer nanoparticles [NPs],
liposomes,
micelles, microemulsions,
protein NPs, metals and inorganic NPs, biomimetic NPs). It is desirable to design a targeted delivery system to achieve antitumor efficacy that can not only cross various barriers but also can enhance immune regulation, eventually converting to a clinical application. Therefore, this review focused on the latest research about delivery systems encapsulated or modified with
ginsenosides, and unification of medicines and
excipients based on
ginsenosides for improving drug bioavailability and targeting ability. In addition, challenges and new treatment methods were discussed to support the development of these new
tumor therapeutic agents for use in clinical treatment.