Ginseng saponins diminish adverse vascular effects associated with chronic methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia.
Recent studies have shown that Panax ginseng has a variety of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular systems. Homocysteine (Hcy), which is derived from L-methionine (Met), has been closely associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we examined whether in vivo long-term administration of ginseng saponins (GS), active ingredients of Panax ginseng, attenuate adverse vascular effects associated with chronic Met-induced hyperhomocysteinemia (H-Hcy). We found that plasma Hcy level, which was measured after 30 and 60 d, in GS (100 mg/kg)+Met co-administration group was significantly reduced when it was compared with Met alone treatment group. We could also observe the alleviation of endothelial damages of aortic artery vessels in GS (100 mg/kg)+Met co-administration group compared with Met alone treatment group. We compared aortic vasocontractile and vasodilatory responses between Met alone and GS (100 mg/kg)+Met co-treatment groups. We found that norepinephrine-induced vasocontractile responses were greatly decreased in GS (100 mg/kg)+Met co-treatment group and that carbachol-induced dilatory responses were greatly enhanced in GS (100 mg/kg)+Met co-administration groups as compared with Met alone treatment group. The present results indicate that in vivo long-term administration of GS attenuates adverse vascular effects associated with chronic Met-induced H-Hcy in rats.
Kim
Jong-Hoon
JH
Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Ginsentology Research Laboratory, Seoul, Korea.
Cho
Soo Yeun
SY
Kang
Chang-Won
CW
Yoon
In-Soo
IS
Lee
Jun-Ho
JH
Jeong
Sang Min
SM
Lee
Byung-Hwan
BH
Lee
Joon-Hee
JH
Pyo
Mi-Kyung
MK
Choi
Sun-Hye
SH
Quan
Shi Fu
SF
Lee
Jong-Hwan
JH
Choi
Chi-Bong
CB
Rhim
Hyewhon
H
Nah
Seung-Yeol
SY
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D006339:Heart Rate; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012503:Saponins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012503:Saponins; D008715:Methionine