Role of nitric oxide in ginsenoside Rg(1)-induced protection against left ventricular hypertrophy produced by abdominal aorta coarctation in rats

The Potential of Natural Products in the Management of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, comprising a variety of disorders such as hypertension, heart attacks, Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), dyslipidemias, strokes, coronary heart disease, and cardiomyopathies. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that 22.2 million people will die from CVD in 2030. Conventional treatments for CVDs are often quite expensive and also have several side effects. This potentiates the use of medicinal plants, which are still a viable alternative therapy for a number of diseases, including CVD. Natural products' cardio-protective effects result from their anti-oxidative, anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-ischemic, and platelet aggregation-inhibiting properties. The conventional therapies used to treat CVD have the potential to be explored in light of the recent increase in the popularity of natural goods and alternative medicine. Some natural products with potential in the management of cardiovascular diseases such as Allium sativum L., Ginkgo biloba, Cinchona ledgeriana, Ginseng, Commiphora mukul, Digitalis lanata, Digitalis purpurea L., Murrayakoenigii, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Polygonum cuspidatum, Fenugreek, Capsicum annuum, etc. are discussed in this article.

Effects of Panax ginseng and ginsenosides on oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases: pharmacological and therapeutic roles

Traditionally, Asian ginseng or Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng has long been used in Korea and China to treat various diseases. The main active components of Panax ginseng is ginsenoside, which is known to have various pharmacological treatment effects such as antioxidant, vascular easing, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and anticancer. Most reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause chronic diseases such as myocardial symptoms and cause fatal oxidative damage to cell membrane lipids and proteins. Therefore, many studies that inhibit the production of oxidative stress have been conducted in various fields of physiology, pathophysiology, medicine and health, and disease. Recently, ginseng or ginsenosides have been known to act as antioxidants in vitro and in vivo results, which have a beneficial effect on preventing cardiovascular disease. The current review aims to provide mechanisms and inform precious information on the effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on the prevention of oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease in animals and clinical trials.

Possibility as role of ginseng and ginsenosides on inhibiting the heart disease of COVID-19: A systematic review

Coronavirus has been spreading rapidly around the world since it broke out in China in 2019. Respiratory diseases caused by coronavirus infection cause various diseases ranging from asymptomatic subclinical infections to severe pneumonia and cardiovascular complications, leading to death. In this regard, natural products are being studied to prevent various diseases caused by COVID-19. In current review, we would like to present mechanisms related to the inhibition of heart disease in ginseng and ginsenoside against SARS-CoV-2. In many previous studies, ginseng and ginsenoside are known to have antioxidant, blood flow improvement, improvement of vascular and heart function, blood pressure control, suppression of myocardial infarction and heart failure, and antiarrhythmia. Therefore, ginseng and ginsenoside have a possibility to suppress cardiovascular complications caused by COVID-19. Many of research provide evidence for ginseng and ginsenoside as treatments for the risk of cardiovascular complications. However, in this review, more specific contents on the proposition of the efficacy of ginseng and ginsenoside for COVID-19 should be presented. Therefore, we hope that researches to reduce cardiovascular complications of ginseng and ginsenoside for COVID-19 should be presented to reduce mortality for COVID-19.

Ginsenosides for cardiovascular diseases; update on pre-clinical and clinical evidence, pharmacological effects and the mechanisms of action

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the major cause of death worldwide, accounting for almost 31% of the global mortality annually. Several preclinical studies have indicated that ginseng and the major bioactive ingredient (ginsenosides) can modulate several CVDs through diverse mechanisms. However, there is paucity in the translation of such experiments into clinical arena for cardiovascular ailments due to lack of conclusive specific pathways through which these activities are initiated and lack of larger, long-term well-structured clinical trials. Therefore, this review elaborates on current pharmacological effects of ginseng and ginsenosides in the cardiovascular system and provides some insights into the safety, toxicity, and synergistic effects in human trials. The review concludes that before ginseng, ginsenosides and their preparations could be utilized in the clinical treatment of CVDs, there should be more preclinical studies in larger animals (like the guinea pig, rabbit, dog, and monkey) to find the specific dosages, address the toxicity, safety and synergistic effects with other conventional drugs. This could lead to the initiation of large-scale, long-term well-structured randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trials to test whether treatment is effective for a longer period and test the efficacy against other conventional therapies.

Revealing the synergistic mechanism of Shenfu Decoction for anti-heart failure through network pharmacology strategy

The present study was designed to investigate the targets and synergistic mechanism of Shenfu Decoction (SFD) in the treatment of heart failure. A heart failure animal models was established to evaluate the pharmacological effects of SFD for anti-heart failure, then constructed ingredient-target interaction network by developing ingredient and target databases, the Discovery sdudio software was used for molecular docking. In addition, we validated the predicted protein targets of active ingredients in SFD by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. Our results demonstrated that SFD could enhance ejection fraction, alleviate myocardial histopathological characteristics, and reduce the level of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), aldosterone (ALD), atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) and Renin (REN) in heart failure rat model. In addition, the ingredient database including 349 constituents and target database including 236 proteins were established, and 75 proteins were screened and identified by molecular docking strategy. 22 core target proteins were identified through network pharmacology, and the component-core target network was constructed. Finally, the affinity between the compounds and targets were verified by the SPR analysis method. The present study suggested that SFD may act on ACE 2, REN, ACE, ICAM-1, EGF, HTR2B, PARP1, NPPB and other proteins through AC, BAC, ACN, Re, Rg1, Rb1 to exert synergistic effects against heart failure.

Ginseng: A Qualitative Review of Benefits for Palliative Clinicians

Ginseng has been used for centuries to treat various diseases and has been commercially developed and cultivated in the past 300 years. Ginseng products may be fresh, dried (white), or dried and steamed (red). Extracts may be made using water or alcohol. There are over 50 different ginsenosides identified by chromatography. We did an informal systematic qualitative review that centered on fatigue, cancer, dementia, respiratory diseases, and heart failure, and we review 113 studies in 6 tables. There are multiple potential benefits to ginseng in cancer. Ginseng, in certain circumstances, has been shown to improve dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure through randomized trials. Most trials had biases or unknown biases and so most evidence is of low quality. We review the gaps in the evidence and make some recommendations regarding future studies.

Shenfu Formula reduces cardiomyocyte apoptosis in heart failure rats by regulating microRNAs

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shenfu decoction consists of the water extract from the dried root or rootstalk of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey (Asian ginseng) and the lateral root of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx (Fuzi, Heishunpian in Chinese). Shenfu Formula has been used as a folk Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Recent studies have shown that Shenfu injection can enhance cardiac function and regulate arrhythmia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Shenfu Formula plays an important role in the treatment of heart failure. However, its microRNA-mediated mechanisms are still not fully understood. Thus, we established a heart failure model in rats to investigate the microRNA mechanism of Shenfu Formula in cardiac function and apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The heart failure animal model was established via left-anterior descending coronary artery ligation in rats. Seven days after surgery, Shenfu Formula was given to the heart failure rats, which were selected by echocardiography with an LVEF< 45%. After Shenfu Formula was given intragastrically for 30 days, blood samples were drawn, the heart was excised after echocardiography, and echocardiographic parameters and apoptosis-related proteins were further examined. Fas/Fas-L and Bcl-2/Bax proteins were analyzed by Western blot, and microRNAs were evaluated using Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA arrays.

RESULTS

Shenfu Formula increased the left ventricular ejection fraction, improved the hemodynamic index of heart failure rats, and decreased serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. Shenfu Formula also decreased the positive rate of myocardial cells as detected by the TUNEL method and significantly suppressed caspase 3 expression. Moreover, we found that Shenfu Formula can regulate the initiative factors Fas/Fas-L in the intrinsic pathway and Bcl-2/Bax in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway to suppress apoptosis in heart failure rats. Finally, Shenfu Formula potentially alters the balance of microRNAs involved in activating and inhibiting apoptosis, ultimately suppressing apoptosis; this leads to changes in the gene expression profiles of microRNAs targets.

CONCLUSION

Shenfu Granule can effectively improve cardiac function in heart failure rats, and the anti-apoptosis effects of Shenfu Formula are potential mechanisms for inhibiting heart failure.

Pharmacological and medical applications of Panax ginseng and ginsenosides: a review for use in cardiovascular diseases

Panax ginseng, also called Asian or Korean ginseng, has long been traditionally used in Korea and China to treat various diseases. The major active ingredients of P. ginseng are ginsenosides, which have been shown to have a variety of therapeutic effects, including antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxation, antiallergic, antidiabetic, and anticancer. To date, approximately 40 ginsenoside components have been reported. Current research is concentrating on using a single ginseng compound, one of the ginsenosides, instead of the total ginseng compounds, to determine the mechanisms of ginseng and ginsenosides. Recent in vitro and in vivo results show that ginseng has beneficial effects on cardiac and vascular diseases through efficacy, including antioxidation, control of vasomotor function, modulation of ion channels and signal transduction, improvement of lipid profiles, adjustment of blood pressure, improvement in cardiac function, and reduction in platelet adhesion. This review aims to provide valuable information on the traditional uses of ginseng and ginsenosides, their therapeutic applications in animal models and humans, and the pharmacological action of ginseng and ginsenosides.

Treatment of the cardiac hypertrophic response and heart failure with ginseng, ginsenosides, and ginseng-related products

Heart failure is a major medical and economic burden throughout the world. Although various treatment options are available to treat heart failure, death rates in both men and women remain high. Potential adjunctive therapies may lie with use of herbal medications, many of which possess potent pharmacological properties. Among the most widely studied is ginseng, a member of the genus Panax that is grown in many parts of the world and that has been used as a medical treatment for a variety of conditions for thousands of years, particularly in Asian societies. There are a number of ginseng species, each possessing distinct pharmacological effects due primarily to differences in their bioactive components including saponin ginsenosides and polysaccharides. While experimental evidence for salutary effects of ginseng on heart failure is robust, clinical evidence is less so, primarily due to a paucity of large-scale well-controlled clinical trials. However, there is evidence from small trials that ginseng-containing Chinese medications such as Shenmai can offer benefit when administered as adjunctive therapy to heart failure patients. Substantial additional studies are required, particularly in the clinical arena, to provide evidence for a favourable effect of ginseng in heart failure patients.

Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates oxidative stress and myocardial apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We evaluated the cardioprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in a diabetic rat model induced with high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Ginsenoside Rg1 was injected intraperitoneally for 12 weeks. Myocardial injury indices and oxidative stress markers were determined. Changes in cardiac ultrastructure were evaluated with transmission electron microscopy. Myocardial apoptosis was assessed via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT)-mediated DNA nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry. Ginsenoside Rg1 was associated with a significant dose-dependent reduction in serum levels of creatinine kinase MB and cardiac troponin I, and lessened ultrastructural disorders in diabetic myocardium, relative to the untreated diabetic model rats. Also, compared with the untreated diabetic rats, significant reductions in serum and myocardial levels of malondialdehyde were noted in the ginsenoside Rg1-treated groups, and increased levels of the antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) were detected. TUNEL staining indicated reduced myocardial apoptosis in ginsenoside Rg1-treated rats, which may be associated with reduced levels of caspase-3 (CASP3) and increased levels of B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-xL) in the diabetic myocardium. Ginsenoside Rg1 treatment of diabetic rats was associated with reduced oxidative stress and attenuated myocardial apoptosis, suggesting that ginsenoside Rg1 may be of potential preventative and therapeutic value for cardiovascular injury in diabetic patients.

A review on the medicinal potentials of ginseng and ginsenosides on cardiovascular diseases

Ginseng is widely used for its promising healing and restorative properties as well as for its possible tonic effect in traditional medicine. Nowadays, many studies focus on purified individual ginsenoside, an important constituent in ginseng, and study its specific mechanism of action instead of whole-plant extracts on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Of the various ginsenosides, purified ginsenosides such as Rb1, Rg1, Rg3, Rh1, Re, and Rd are the most frequently studied. Although there are many reports on the molecular mechanisms and medical applications of ginsenosides in the treatment of CVDs, many concerns exist in their application. This review discusses current works on the countless pharmacological functions and the potential benefits of ginseng in the area of CVDs.

RESULTS

Both in vitro and in vivo results indicate that ginseng has potentially positive effects on heart disease through its various properties including antioxidation, reduced platelet adhesion, vasomotor regulation, improving lipid profiles, and influencing various ion channels. To date, approximately 40 ginsenosides have been identified, and each has a different mechanism of action owing to the differences in chemical structure. This review aims to present comprehensive information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of ginseng, especially in the control of hypertension and cardiovascular function. In addition, the review also provides an insight into the opportunities for future research and development on the biological activities of ginseng.

The coronary dilation effect of shen fu injection was mediated through NO

OBJECTIVES

Shen Fu Injection (SF), which consisted of Red ginseng extraction injection (RG) and prepared aconite extraction injection (RA), is a traditional Chinese medicine mainly used for various cardiac diseases. This study is to analyse SF's effects on cardiac performance and coronary circulation. And the coronary dilating effect and mechanism of the above three injections were also explored.

METHODS

Mature male guinea pigs were used as our animal model. We employed two types of perfusion methods (constant pressure and constant flow) in vitro, using Langendorff heart preparations to observe the cardiac function and coronary response to SF (1/200). The coronary dilation effects of the above three injections (1/800, 1/400 and 1/200) were recorded at basal coronary resting tone and when coronary vessels were pre-contracted with a thromboxane A2 analogue (U46619), in the presence or the absence of the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis (L-NAME, 10-4 M), the blocker of Ca2+-activated potassium channel(TEA, 10-3 M), or the blocker of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel (glybenclamide) (10-5 M).

RESULTS

When perfused with constant pressure, SF significantly increased coronary flow, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the rate-pressure product (RPP). When perfused with constant flow, SF produced a significant reduction in the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), LVDP and RPP. The coronary vasodilatation response of the above three injections can be reduced by L-NAME but was unaffected by TEA or glybenclamide when coronary vessels were pre-contracted with U46619 but not at resting tone. SF, RG and RA can all up-regulate eNOS expression in the human umbilical vein cells (EA.hy926).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that SF does not contribute to the inotropic change of myocardium whose improvement is due to alternation of coronary flow. The coronary dilation effect of SF was mediated through RG and RA, via promoting NO release.

The ginsenoside Rg1 prevents transverse aortic constriction-induced left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction by inhibiting fibrosis and enhancing angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Ginsenoside Rg1, an important and active ingredient of Panax ginseng, has been shown to exert cardioprotective effects in vivo. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that ginsenoside Rg1 attenuates cardiac dysfunction in a transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced left ventricular hypertrophy in vivo via proangiogenic and antifibrotic effects.

METHODS

This study investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in a rat model of TAC-induced left ventricular hypertrophy. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The antifibrotic and proangiogenic effects were assessed by histopathology and mRNA expression of procollagen I, III, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) through quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of phosphorylation of Akt, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), and VEGF proteins were examined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Ginsenoside Rg1 treatment significantly decreased TAC-induced myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular hypertrophy, and preserved cardiac function. Ginsenoside Rg1 administration enhanced angiogenesis by increasing the expression of HIF-1 and VEGF. These cardioprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 are partially related to the activation of phospho-Akt and inhibition of p38 MAPK.

CONCLUSIONS

Ginsenoside Rg1 exhibited protective effect against TAC-induced left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction, which is potentially associated with phospho-Akt activation and p38 MAPK inhibition.

Protective effects and active ingredients of yi-qi-fu-mai sterile powder against myocardial oxidative damage in mice

This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of Yi-Qi-Fu-Mai sterile powder (YQFM) on myocardial oxidative damage and tries to identify the active components responsible for its pharmacological benefits. YQFM and the n-butanol extract of YQFM (YQFM-Bu) were administered to ISO-induced myocardial injury mice. Left ventricle weight index and histopathological analyses were conducted. Serum enzymatic activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were also measured. Our results demonstrated that both YQFM and YQFM-Bu significantly restored the abnormal activities of CK, LDH, MPO, SOD, and the levels of MDA in ISO-induced myocardial injury mice, and these biochemical results were further supported by histopathological data. Our in vitro findings also confirmed that both YQFM and YQFM-Bu exhibit significant radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, the major active fractions of YQFM were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. Twenty-five ginsenosides and three lignans were identified from YQFM-Bu. These findings suggested YQFM-Bu is the major active fraction of YQFM with the ginsenosides and lignans as potential active components responsible for its protective effect against myocardial injury, and YQFM exerted its beneficial effects on myocardial injury mainly through inhibiting oxidative damage and maintaining the functional integrity of myocardial tissue.

Effect of Xinjikang on left ventricular hypertrophy remodeling in hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Xinjikang on the left ventricular hypertrophy remodeling and myocardial activity in hypertension.

METHODS

Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. The pressure-loaded left ventricular hypertrophy model was established with abdominal aorta ligation method. Rats in A and B groups were intragastrically administered with physiological saline, while C and D groups were administered with Xinjikang and metoprolol, respectively. The changes in blood pressure, E/A ratio, myocardial pathological morphology, myocardial lipoperoxides and superoxide dismustase activity in four groups were observed and compared before and after treatment.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences in E/A ratio between C group after treatment and model group (P<0.05), while no difference was observed between A and D groups (P>0.05); after treatment the myocardial lipoperoxides and superoxide dismustase contents in C and D groups were improved significantly compared with model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Xinjikang can improve myocardial injury, restore myocardial parenchyma and myocardial interstitial remodeling functions in hypertensive rats with the left ventricular hypertrophy.

Screening and identifying the myocardial-injury protective ingredients from Sheng-Mai-San

CONTEXT

Sheng-Mai-San (SMS) has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease for many years in China.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the protective effects and active ingredients of SMS on myocardial injury (MI) in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SMS and n-butanol extraction of SMS (SMS-Bu) were prepared and administered to ISO-treated mice once a day for 7 consecutive days. The doses were equivalent to the raw medicinal herbs of SMS 5.72, 2.86 and 1.43 g/kg/d, respectively. Propranolol was used as positive control. Serum biomarkers, histopathological and electrocardiographic were evaluated.

RESULTS

Serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and myeloperoxidase increased to 4473.6 ± 322.5, 950.0 ± 35.0 and 90.4 ± 12.2 U/L in the model group. SMS and SMS-Bu groups showed a decrease from 10 to 29% for lactate dehydrogenase and from 17 to 42% for creatine kinase, respectively. Both SMS and SMS-Bu significantly attenuated the myeloperoxidase activities (from 42 to 56%) and malondialdehyde levels (from 25 to 45%) compared with the model group. Decreased superoxide dismutase activities in ISO-treated mice were elevated from 19 to 59% when treated with SMS and SMS-Bu. These biochemical results were supported by electrocardiogram (ECG) and histopathological observations. Furthermore, 8 ginsenosides and 16 lignans were identified in SMS-Bu.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that SMS-Bu was the mainly active fraction of SMS which exerted its beneficial effects on MI mainly through protecting myocardial tissue and reducing oxidative damage, and the ginsenosides and lignans may serve as active ingredients of SMS for the treatment of MI.

Cardiovascular Diseases and Panax ginseng: A Review on Molecular Mechanisms and Medical Applications

Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines and is reported to have a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological applications. Ginseng may also be potentially valuable in treating cardiovascular diseases. Research concerning cardiovascular disease is focusing on purified individual ginsenoside constituents of ginseng to reveal specific mechanisms instead of using whole ginseng extracts. The most commonly studied ginsenosides are Rb1, Rg1, Rg3, Rh1, Re, and Rd. The molecular mechanisms and medical applications of ginsenosides in the treatment of cardiovascular disease have attracted much attention and been the subject of numerous publications. Here, we review the current literature on the myriad pharmacological functions and the potential benefits of ginseng in this area. In vitro investigations using cell cultures and in vivo animal models have indicated ginseng's potential cardiovascular benefits through diverse mechanisms that include antioxidation, modifying vasomotor function, reducing platelet adhesion, influencing ion channels, altering autonomic neurotransmitters release, and improving lipid profiles. Some 40 ginsenosides have been identified. Each may have different effects in pharmacology and mechanisms due to their different chemical structures. This review also summarizes results of relevant clinical trials regarding the cardiovascular effects of ginseng, particularly in the management of hypertension and improving cardiovascular function.

Benazepril inhibited the NF-κB and TGF-β networking on LV hypertrophy in rats

PURPOSE

Benazepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, has been used to treat hypertension, congestive heart failure, and chronic renal failure. However, its biological activity and mechanism of action in inflammation are not fully identified. The present study was designed to determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of benazepril on LV hypertrophy in rats.

METHODS

LV hypertrophy was produced in rats by abdominal aortic coarctation. They were then divided into the following groups: sham operation; LV hypertrophy; LV hypertrophy+benazepril (1mg/kg in a gavage, once a day for 4 weeks). Both morphological assays (hemodynamic and hemorheological measurement; LV hypertrophy assessment), and molecular assays (protein levels of Collagen type I/III, TNF-α and VCAM-1; TGF-β gene expression; NF-κB or Smad activation; intracellular ROS production) were performed.

RESULTS

The following effects were observed in rats treated with benazepril: (1) marked improvements in hemodynamic and hemorheological parameters; (2) significant reductions in LV hypertrophy, dilatation and fibrosis; (3) significantly attenuated protein levels of Collagen type I/III, TGF-β, TNF-α and VCAM-1, NF-κB or Smad activation, as well as intracellular ROS production.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of benazepril may be ascribed to their down-regulation of both NF-κB and TGF-β signaling pathways by acting on the intracellular ROS production in rats with LV hypertrophy, thus supporting the use of benazepril as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Inhibitory Effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Induced by PDGF-BB Is Involved in Nitric Oxide Formation

Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has been reported to suppress the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). This study aimed to observe the role of nitric oxide (NO) in Rg1-antiproliferative effect. VSMCs from the thoracic aorta of SD rats were cultured by tissue explant method, and the effect of Rg1 (20 mg·L⁻¹, 60 mg·L⁻¹, and 180 mg·L⁻¹) on platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. For probing the mechanisms, the content of NO in supernatant and cGMP level in VSMCs was measured by nitric oxide kit and cGMP radio-immunity kit, respectively; the expressions of protooncogene c-fos and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) mRNA in the VSMCs were detected by real-time RT-PCR; the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2⁺]_i) was detected with Fura-2/AM-loaded VSMCs. Comparing with that in normal group, Rg1 180 mg·L⁻¹ did not change the absorbance of MTT and cell percent of G₀/G₁, G₂/M, and S phase in normal cells (P > 0.05). Contrarily, PDGF-BB could increase the absorbance of MTT (P < 0.01) and the percent of the S phase cells but decrease the G₀/G₁ phase cell percent in the cell cycle, accompanied with an upregulating c-fos mRNA expression (P < 0.01), which was reversed by additions of Rg1(20 mg·L⁻¹, 60 mg·L⁻¹, and 180 mg·L⁻¹). Rg1 administration could also significantly increase the NO content in supernatant and the cGMP level in VSMCs, as well as the eNOS mRNA expression in the cells, in comparison of that in the group treated with PDGF-BB alone (P < 0.01). Furthermore, Rg1 caused a further increase in the elevated [Ca²⁺]_i induced by PDGF-BB. It was concluded that Rg1 could inhibit the VSMC proliferation induced by PDGF-BB through restricting the G₀/G₁ phase to S-phase progression in cell cycle. The mechanisms may be related to the upregulation of eNOS mRNA and the increase of the formation of NO and cGMP.

Therapeutic potential of ginseng in the management of cardiovascular disorders

Although employed in Asian societies for thousands of years, the use of ginseng as an herbal medication for a variety of disorders has increased tremendously worldwide in recent years. Ginseng belongs to the genus Panax, of which there exists a variety, generally reflecting their geographic origin. North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) are two such varieties possessing a plethora of pharmacological properties, which are attributed primarily to the presence of different ginsenosides that bestow these ginsengs with distinct pharmacodynamic profiles. The many cardiovascular benefits attributed to ginseng include cardioprotection, antihypertensive effects, and attenuation of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure. Experimental studies have revealed a number of beneficial properties of ginseng, particularly in the area of cardiac protection, where ginseng and ginsenosides have been shown to protect the ischaemic and reperfused heart in a variety of experimental models. Emerging evidence also suggests that ginseng attenuates myocardial hypertrophy, thus blunting the remodelling and heart failure processes. However, clinical evidence of efficacy is not convincing, likely owing primarily to the paucity of well designed, randomized, controlled clinical trials. Adding to the complexity in understanding the cardiovascular effects of ginseng is the fact that each of the different ginseng varieties possesses distinct cardiovascular properties, as a result of their respective ginsenoside composition, rendering it difficult to assign a general, common cardiovascular effect to ginseng. Additional challenges include the identification of mechanisms (likely multifaceted) that account for the effects of ginseng and determining which ginsenoside(s) mediate these cardiovascular properties. These concerns notwithstanding, the potential cardiovascular benefit of ginseng is worthy of further studies in view of its possible development as a cardiovascular therapeutic agent, particularly as adjunctive therapy to existing medications.

Ginsenoside Rg1 inhibits vascular intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured rat carotid artery by down-regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) is one of the main active components of Panax ginseng a well-known herbal medicine. It has been demonstrated to inhibit proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by tumor necrosis factor-αin vitro. The present study is aimed to examine the possible effects of Rg1 on vascular neointimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured carotid artery of rats in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The animal model was established by rubbing the endothelia with a balloon catheter in the common carotid artery (CCA) of male Sprague Dawley rats. Then the rats were intraperitoneally injected with distilled water in model group and sham operation control, or with Rg1 4, 8 and 16mg/kg/d in other balloon injured groups. After consecutive 14 days, the vascular intimal hyperplasia was evidenced by histopathological alterations of the CCA and by changes observed in the marker of the proliferation of VSMCs-the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The protein expressions of PCNA and the phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase2 (p-ERK2) as well as mitogen-ativated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) were examined by immunohistochemistry; while the expressions of proto-oncogene (c-fos), ERK2 and smooth muscle α-actin (SM α-actin) mRNA were analyzed by Real-Time RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Rg1 administration could significantly ameliorate the histopathology of CCA and decrease the protein expression of PCNA induced by endothelia rubbing; and Rg1 medication also significantly decreased the expressions of p-ERK2 protein, ERK2 and c-fos mRNA in vessel wall, but up-regulated the MKP-1 expression, which was reported to inactivate mitogen-ativated protein kinase pathway. Furthermore, Rg1 could elevate the decreased SM α-actin mRNA expression induced by balloon injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Rg1 can suppress the vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury, the mechanism may be involved in the inhibition on ERK2 signaling, and related, at least partly, to the increase in MKP-1 expression.

Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) attenuates leptin-induced cardiac hypertrophy through inhibition of p115Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor-RhoA/Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation

Leptin is a 16-kDa peptide primarily derived from white adipocytes and is typically elevated in plasma of obese individuals. Although leptin plays a critical role in appetite regulation, leptin receptors have been identified in numerous tissues including the heart and have been shown to directly mediate cardiac hypertrophy through RhoA/ROCK (Ras homolog gene family, member A/Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase)-dependent p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation; however, the basis for RhoA stimulation is unknown. Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) catalyze the exchange of GDP for GTP resulting in Rho activation and may be the potential upstream factors mediating leptin-induced RhoA activation and therefore a potential target for inhibition. We investigated the effects of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), reported to reduce cardiac hypertrophy, on RhoA/ROCK and MAPK activation in ventricular cardiomyocytes exposed to leptin (50 ng/ml) and the possible role of p115RhoGEF and p63RhoGEF in these responses. Leptin produced a robust hypertrophic response that was associated with RhoA/ROCK activation resulting in a significant increase in cofilin-2 phosphorylation and actin polymerization, the latter evidenced by a reduction in the G/F actin ratio. These effects were prevented by ginseng (10 μg/ml). The stimulation of RhoA/ROCK by leptin was associated with significantly increased p115RhoGEF gene and protein expression and exchange activity, all of which were completely prevented by ginseng. The ability of ginseng to prevent leptin-induced activation of RhoA/ROCK was further associated with diminished p38 MAPK activation and nuclear translocation. These results demonstrate a potent inhibitory effect of ginseng against leptin-induced cardiac hypertrophy, an effect associated with prevention of p115RhoGEF-RhoA/ROCK-dependent p38 MAPK activation.

Total Ginsenosides suppress the neointimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery induced by balloon injury

Ginsenosides, the active components found in Panax ginseng, have been reported to inhibit the cardiac hypertrophy in rats. This study aims to observe the potential effect of total ginsenosides (TG) on the hypertrophic vascular diseases. The model of vascular neointimal hyperplasia was established by rubbing the endothelia of the common carotid artery with a balloon in male Sprague Dawley rats. TG (15 mg/kg/day, 45 mg/kg/day), L-arginine (L-arg) 200 mg/kg/day, and NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) 100 mg/kg/day used with the same dose of L-arg or TG 45 mg/kg/day were given for 7 and 14 consecutive days after surgery. TG and L-arg administrations significantly ameliorated the histopathology of injured carotid artery, which was abolished or blunted by L-NAME, an NOS inhibitor; TG and L-arg could also remarkably reduce the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a proliferation marker of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs), in neointima of the injured artery wall. Further study indicated that balloon injury caused a decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and an elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content in plasma, and reduced the cGMP level in the artery wall, which were reversed by TG. It was concluded that TG suppress the rat carotid artery neointimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury, which may be involved in its anti-oxidative action and enhancing the inhibition effects of NO/cGMP on VSMC proliferation.