title: Ginseng extracts restore high-glucose induced vascular dysfunctions by altering triglyceride metabolism and downregulation of atherosclerosis-related genes.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Gabriel Hoi-Huen
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Betty Yuen-Kwan
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: John Man-Tak
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Kevin Kin-Man
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.forename: Zhi-Hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Chi-Wai
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shun-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ying-Kit Yue
authors.forename: Ricky Ngok-Shun
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Wong