title: Roles and mechanisms of ginseng in protecting heart.
abstract: Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Mayer, has long been used clinically in China to treat various diseases. Multiple effects of ginseng, such as antitumor, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidative, antidiabetic and antihypertensive have been confirmed by modern medicine. Recently, the clinical utilization of ginseng to treat heart diseases has increased dramatically. The roles of ginseng in protecting heart are foci for research in modern medical science and have been partially demonstrated, and the mechanisms of protection against coronary artery disease, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, cardiac energy metabolism, cardiac contractility, and arrhythmia are being uncovered progressively. However, more studies are needed to elucidate the complex mechanisms by which ginseng protects heart. All such studies will provide evidence of ginseng's clinical application, international promotion, and new drug development.
authors: Beijing Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing 100039, China. whjyuanzhang@yahoo.com.cn
authors: Si-Dao
authors: SD
authors: Zheng
authors: Hong-Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Wu
authors: De-Lin
authors: DL
authors: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents