Antihypertensive effect of Korean Red Ginseng by enrichment of ginsenoside Rg3 and arginine-fructose.
BACKGROUND
Ginsenoside Rg3 and arginine-fructose (Arg-Fru) are known as the hypotensive compounds of Panax ginseng; however, their efficacy on antihypertension has not been reported yet to our best knowledge. Thus, hypotensive components-enriched fraction of red ginseng (HCEF-RG) was prepared from fine root concentrate (FR) and their antihypertensive effects were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).


METHODS
Male SHRs were divided into six groups: control (Wistar Kyoto, SHR); FR 500; FR 1,000; HCEF-RG 500; and HCEF-RG 1,000; samples (mg/kg body weight) were orally administered every day for 8 wk. Blood pressure was monitored at 1 wk, 2 wk, 3 wk, 4 wk, 6 wk, and 8 wk by tail cuff method. At 8 wk after samples administration, mice were killed for the measurement of renin activity (RA), angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibition, angiotensin II, and nitric oxide (NO) levels in plasma.


RESULTS
HCEF-RG with four-fold more Rg3 and 24-fold more Arg-Fru contents was successfully prepared from reacted mixtures of FR and persimmon vinegar (12 times against FR, v/v) at 80°C for 18 h. Both FR 1,000 and HCEF-RG 1,000 showed lowered systolic blood pressure than SHR control group and HCEF-RG 1,000 group exhibited a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure. RA was significantly lowered in all treated groups, while angiotensin II did not affect by FR and HCEF-RG treatment. However, angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibition and NO in FR 1,000 and HCEF-RG 1,000 were significantly increased compared with SHR control group.


CONCLUSIONS
HCEF-RG is more effective and useful for alleviating hypertension than FR, implying the health benefit of Rg3 and Arg-Fru.
Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
Kyung Hee
KH
Lee
Department of Food and Fermentation, Far East University, Eumseong, Korea.
In Young
IY
Bae
Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
Song I
SI
Park
Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea; International Ginseng and Herb Research Institute, Guemsan, Korea.
Jong-Dae
JD
Park
Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
Hyeon Gyu
HG
Lee
Korean Red Ginseng; arginine–fructose; blood pressure; ginsenoside Rg3; hypotensive components-enriched