Panax ginseng extract rich in ginsenoside protopanaxatriol attenuates blood pressure elevation in spontaneously hypertensive rats by affecting the Akt-dependent phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Mar 28;60(12):3086-91. doi: 10.1021/jf204447y. Epub 2012 Mar 15.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a fundamental regulator of systemic blood pressure. Ginsenosides from Panax ginseng have been investigated in vitro for the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which they stimulate NO release in vascular endothelial cells; however, little research has been done to confirm the physiological relevance of these in vitro studies. To address this research gap, the effects of a P. ginseng extract rich in ginsenosides from protopanaxatriol on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) was examined. Ginseng extract administration stimulated nongenomic Akt-mediated eNOS activation, enhanced NO production, improved vessel wall thickening, and alleviated hypertension in SHRs, confirming the physiological relevance of previous in vitro studies with ginsenosides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism*
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / drug effects*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred SHR
  • Sapogenins / administration & dosage*
  • Vasodilation / drug effects

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Sapogenins
  • Nitric Oxide
  • protopanaxatriol
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt