Korea red ginseng water extract increases nitric oxide concentrations in exhaled breath.
Panax ginseng is well known to enhance the release of nitric oxide (NO) from endothelial cells of the rat aorta and to reduce blood pressure in animals. In this study, we investigated the effects of water extract of Korea red ginseng (KRG) on NO concentration levels in the exhaled breath, blood pressure, and heart rate of human volunteers. We also are interested in whether NO levels in exhaled breath are increased by KRG extract, and correlated with blood pressure and heart rate. Twelve healthy, non-smoking male volunteers were recruited for this study. A single administration of KRG water extract (500 mg/50 kg) increased NO levels in exhaled breath, and concomitantly decreased mean blood pressure and heart rate. The correlation value between NO levels and heart rate (r = 0.94), and the correlation value between NO levels and heart rate (r = 0.84) are significant (P < 0.01). Linear regression analysis shows the clear conversed correlation between NO levels and blood pressure as well as heart rate. Therefore, present data suggest that KRG may be useful for the treatment of hypertension and pulmonary vascular obstruction.
Han
Kun
K
College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Republic of Korea.
Shin
Im-Chul
IC
Choi
Kang-Ju
KJ
Yun
Yeo-Pyo
YP
Hong
Jin-Tae
JT
Oh
Ki-Wan
KW
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001944:Breath Tests; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water; D009569:Nitric Oxide