Ginsenoside Rh2 reverses sleep deprivation-induced cognitive deficit in mice

•Ginsenosides Rh2 may protect against the spatial and non-spatial memory deficit induced by SD.•Ginsenosides Rh2 could restore reduced SOD, TAR activities and attenuate the elevated MDA level in the serum of SD mice.•Ginsenosides Rh2 could significantly decrease LPO level and increase GSH content in the cortex and hippocampus of SD mice.•Our findings suggest that Ginsenosides Rh2 is indicated to may be a novel candidate in treating neurodegenerative disorders.