title: Ginseng modifies the diabetic phenotype and genes associated with diabetes in the male ZDF rat.
abstract: Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and its close relative North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) are perennial aromatic herbs that are widely used in Oriental medicine and have been acclaimed to have various health benefits including diabetes treatment. In this study, we compared the effects of a diet containing rosiglitazone to a diet containing ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Animals were assigned to one of three diets: control, rosiglitazone (0.1 g/1 kg diet), or ginseng (10 g/1 kg diet). During the 11-week study, body weight, food intake, organ weight, blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, and plasma triglyceride levels were evaluated. Animals treated with rosiglitazone or ginseng exhibited increased body weight (p<0.05) and decreased kidney weight (p<0.05) compared to control animals. The rosiglitazone group demonstrated decreased food intake and plasma triglyceride levels versus the other groups (p<0.05). The ginseng group revealed decreased cholesterol levels relative to the control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, ginseng and rosiglitazone had marked effects on the expression of genes involved in PPAR actions and triglyceride metabolism compared to controls. In conclusion, ginseng modified the diabetic phenotype and genes associated with diabetes in the male ZDF rat. These data are encouraging, and warrant further research to determine the therapeutic value of this medicinal herb in treating human diabetes.
authors: Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4317, USA. banz@siu.edu
authors: William J
authors: WJ
authors: Banz
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Iqbal
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bollaert
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Chickris
authors: Bryce
authors: B
authors: James
authors: D Allan
authors: DA
authors: Higginbotham
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Peterson
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D017931:DNA Primers; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D011924:Rats, Zucker; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D017931:DNA Primers; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D047495:PPAR gamma; D010936:Plant Extracts; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D014280:Triglycerides; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D002784:Cholesterol