Blood pressure-lowering effect of Korean red ginseng associated with decreased circulating Lp-PLA2 activity and lysophosphatidylcholines and increased dihydrobiopterin level in prehypertensive subjects

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of red ginseng consumption on blood pressure (BP) and the fasting plasma metabolome. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included nonobese, nondiabetic, prehypertensive subjects consuming 10 capsules daily containing 5 g red ginseng (n=31) or placebo (n=31). Fasting plasma metabolome profiles were obtained using ultra performance liquid chromatography-linear trap quadrupole Orbitrap MS. After 12 weeks, participants consuming red ginseng showed reductions of 6.5 and 5.0 mm Hg in systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. Compared with controls, those consuming red ginseng showed greater reductions in changed values of systolic BP, diastolic BP and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity, after adjusting for baseline values. In addition, the red ginseng group showed a greater increase in dihydrobiopterin levels and greater decrease in palmitic amide and lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs). The change in diastolic BP positively correlated with changes in lysoPCs and Lp-PLA2 activity. The BP-lowering effect of red ginseng is associated with decreased Lp-PLA2 and lysoPCs and increased dihydrobiopterin levels in prehypertensive subjects (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02326766).

Impact of 8-week linoleic acid intake in soy oil on Lp-PLA2 activity in healthy adults

“…Elevated levels of Lp-PLA 2 have been associated with unfavorable health outcomes, including an increased risk for myocardial infarction and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths in adults [3]. Indeed, our previous study indicated that elevated Lp-PLA 2 activity was associated with prehypertension [4], which reflects an early increased risk of CVD [5]. Furthermore, several studies on darapladib, a drug that inhibits Lp-PLA 2 activity, showed its beneficial effect on CVD in accordance with decreases in Lp-PLA 2 activity; Mohler et al [6] reported that darapladib dose-dependently decreased interleukin (IL)-6 in patients with stable coronary disease; Serruys et al [7] indicated that its administration to patients with angiographically proven coronary disease inhibited the increase in necrotic core volume (coronary atheroma volume) compared to that of individuals who were not given the treatment.…”

Distinct urine metabolome after Asian ginseng and American ginseng intervention based on GC-MS metabolomics approach

“…Asian ginseng has a high ratio of Rg1: Rb1 thought to have stimulatory effects on central nervous system (CNS) while American ginseng has a lower ratio of Rg1: Rb1 but can calm the CNS23. The previous literatures evidenced that Asian ginseng and American ginseng exert lowering and neutral effects on blood pressure, respectively4567. PARK et al .…”

Safety and tolerability of Korean Red Ginseng in healthy adults: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

“…Despite the various biological effects of KRG [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , no clinical studies have investigated the safety profile of its long-term intake. Siegel et al [13] have reported the effects of long-term use of ginseng, which were described as “ginseng abuse syndrome” and included symptoms such as elevated blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia, skin rash, and diarrhea.…”

“…Several studies have reported the positive biological effects of KRG, including blood pressure regulation [4] , plasma glucose control [5] , neurological improvement [6] , hepatoprotection [7] , as well as anticancer [8] and antioxidant properties [9] . KRG is rich in biologically active ginsenosides [10] because the steaming process stabilizes ginseng metabolism and transforms its active constituents into more lipophilic compounds with a higher bioavailability [1] .…”