Journal of Ginseng Research (Oct 2014)

Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng improves vascular function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

  • Jung-Bum Park,
  • Sun Kwan Kwon,
  • Harsha Nagar,
  • Saet-byel Jung,
  • Byeong Hwa Jeon,
  • Chang Sup Kim,
  • Jin-Hwan Oh,
  • Hee-Jung Song,
  • Cuk-Seong Kim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2014.05.011
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 38, no. 4
pp. 244 – 250

Abstract

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Background: Panax ginseng has distinct and impressive health benefits, such as improved blood pressure and immune system functioning. Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (REKRG) isolated from Korean Red Ginseng contains a high percentage of Rg3. Methods: In this study, we examined the effects of REKRG on endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and vascular function in rats. Results: REKRG dose-dependently increased eNOS phosphorylation and nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells. In addition, REKRG markedly inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated induction of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressions in endothelial cells. REKRG improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) compared with controls. Furthermore, REKRG treatment for 6 weeks increased serum NO levels and reduced the mean aortic intima-media thickness compared with controls. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that REKRG increased vascular function and improved immune system functioning. Therefore, REKRG is a very useful food for preventing or improving various cardiovascular diseases.

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