Ginseng extracts restore high-glucose induced vascular dysfunctions by altering triglyceride metabolism and downregulation of atherosclerosis-related genes

Hoi Huen CHAN, Betty Yuen-Kwan LAW, John Man-Tak CHU, Kevin Kin-Man YUE, Zhi-Hong JIANG, Chi-Wai LAU, Yu HUANG, Shun-Wan CHAN, Patrick Ying-Kit YUE, Ricky Ngok-Shun WONG

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15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The king of herbs, Panax ginseng, has been used widely as a therapeutic agent vis-à-vis its active pharmacological and physiological effects. Based on Chinese pharmacopeia Ben Cao Gang Mu and various pieces of literature, Panax ginseng was believed to exert active vascular protective effects through its antiobesity and anti-inflammation properties. We investigated the vascular protective effects of ginseng by administrating ginseng extracts to rats after the induction of diabetes. We found that Panax ginseng can restore diabetes-induced impaired vasorelaxation and can reduce serum triglyceride but not cholesterol level in the diabetic rats. The ginseng extracts also suppressed the expression of atherosclerosis-related genes and altered the expression of lipid-related genes. The results provide evidence that Panax ginseng improves vascular dysfunction induced by diabetes and the protective effects may possibly be due to the downregulation of atherosclerosis-related genes and altered lipid metabolism, which help to restore normal endothelium functions. Copyright © 2013 Gabriel Hoi-huen Chan et al.

Original languageEnglish
Article number797310
JournalEvidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Citation

Chan, G. H.-H., Law, B. Y.-K., Chu, J. M.-T., Yue, K. K.-M., Jiang, Z.-H., Lau, C.-W., Huang, Y., Chan, S.-W., Yue, P. Y.-K., & Wong, R. N.-S. (2013). Ginseng extracts restore high-glucose induced vascular dysfunctions by altering triglyceride metabolism and downregulation of atherosclerosis-related genes. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, Article 797310. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/797310

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