title: Ginseng treatment reverses obesity and related disorders by inhibiting angiogenesis in female db/db mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Korean red ginseng (ginseng, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has traditionally been used in the treatment of most ageing-related diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, but the mechanism of the effects is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ginseng on obesity in a mouse model of female obesity (obese female db/db mouse) and to investigate the mechanism of anti-obesity effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  After female db/db (B6.Cg-m Lepr(db)/++/J) mice were treated with 5% (w/w) ginseng for 13 weeks, variables and parameters of obesity and disorders related to obesity were examined. Blood vessel density and the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mice treated with ginseng for 13 weeks had less body weight and lower adipose tissue mass compared to control, untreated mice. The size of adipocytes was smaller in visceral adipose tissues of ginseng-treated mice. Obesity-related complications, such as hepatic steatosis, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia, were markedly improved in treated mice. Blood vessel density was lower in visceral adipose tissue sections from treated mice than those from control mice. Concomitantly, mRNA levels for VEGF-A and FGF-2 were lower in both visceral adipose tissue from treated mice and treated 3T3-L1 cells compared to those from untreated controls. Protein levels for VEGF were also lower in visceral adipose tissue from treated mice. In contrast, ginseng increased mRNA expression of genes responsible for energy expenditure and fatty acid β-oxidation in visceral adipose tissue during ginseng-induced weight reduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that ginseng may effectively treat female obesity and related disorders in part by inhibition of angiogenesis.
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 302-729, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyunghee
authors: H
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 302-729, Republic of Korea.
authors: Mina
authors: M
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Formula Sciences, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongeui University, Busan 614-052, Republic of Korea.
authors: Soon Shik
authors: SS
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 302-729, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yoon60@mokwon.ac.kr.
authors: Michung
authors: M
authors: Yoon
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467480:vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
keywords: Adipose tissue growth; Angiogenesis; Female; Korean red ginseng; Obesity; db/db Mouse