Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng improves vascular function in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
BACKGROUND
Panax ginseng has distinct and impressive health benefits, such as improved blood pressure and immune system functioning. Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (REKRG) isolated from Korean Red Ginseng contains a high percentage of Rg3.


METHODS
In this study, we examined the effects of REKRG on endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and vascular function in rats.


RESULTS
REKRG dose-dependently increased eNOS phosphorylation and nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells. In addition, REKRG markedly inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated induction of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressions in endothelial cells. REKRG improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) compared with controls. Furthermore, REKRG treatment for 6 weeks increased serum NO levels and reduced the mean aortic intima-media thickness compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, these results suggest that REKRG increased vascular function and improved immune system functioning. Therefore, REKRG is a very useful food for preventing or improving various cardiovascular diseases.
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
Jung-Bum
JB
Park
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
Sun Kwan
SK
Kwon
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
Harsha
H
Nagar
Department of Endocrinology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Saet-Byel
SB
Jung
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
Byeong Hwa
BH
Jeon
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Hanbat National University, Daejeon, Korea.
Chang Sup
CS
Kim
BTGin Company Limited, Daejeon, Korea.
Jin-Hwan
JH
Oh
Department of Neurology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Hee-Jung
HJ
Song
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
Cuk-Seong
CS
Kim
NO; Panax ginseng; REKRG; SHR; eNOS