Korean red ginseng inhibits arginase and contributes to endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation through endothelial nitric oxide synthase coupling

Abstract

Korean red ginseng water extract (KG-WE) has known beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system via inducting nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelium. Endothelial arginase inhibits the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by substrate depletion, thereby reducing NO bioavailability and contributing to vascular diseases including hypertension, aging, and atherosclerosis. In the present study, we demonstrate that KG-WE inhibits arginase activity and negatively regulates NO production and reactive oxygen species generation in endothelium. This is associated with increased dimerization of eNOS without affecting the protein expression levels of either arginase or eNOS. In a vascular tension assay, when aortas isolated from wild type mice were incubated with KG-WE, NO-dependent enhanced vasorelaxation was observed. Furthermore, KG-WE administered via by drinking water to atherogenic model mice being fed high cholesterol diet improved impaired vascular function. Taken together, these results suggest that KG-WE may exert vasoprotective effects through augmentation of NO signaling by inhibiting arginase. Therefore, KG-WE may be useful in the treatment of vascular diseases derived from endothelial dysfunction, such as atherosclerosis.

Daikenchuto (TU‐100) shapes gut microbiota architecture and increases the production of ginsenoside metabolite compound K

“…The therapeutic effects of ginseng, as well as ginger and sanshools, are diverse and include vascular, cardiac, antineoplastic, and anti-inflammatory actions (Rimar et al 1996;Kwan et al 2004;Ghayur and Gilani 2005;Kim et al 2009;Song et al 2009;Kono et al 2011;Shin et al 2013;Ueno et al 2014). Some of these actions may relate to the antioxidant properties of ginseng and ginger also possesses anti-inflammatory actions (Kitts et al 2000;Hu and Kitts 2001;Masuda et al 2004;Kikuzaki and Nakatani 1993;Kim et al 2011).…”

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“…Moreover, active components of Korean red ginseng (ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg3) have been linked to increased NO production in endothelial cells by the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/PKB intracellular pathway (also known as Akt, which is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase) [91,92].…”

Effects of different polyaniline emeraldine compositions in electrodepositing ginsenoside encapsulated poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microcapsules coating: Physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation

“…Numerous studies have focused on each ginsenoside for their therapeutic effects on CVDs such as improving cardiac and vascular functions (He, Guo, Wu, Sun, & Li, ; Park et al, ), blood pressure (Rhee et al, ), antioxidant (Zhu et al, ) and inhibiting platelet aggregation (Zhou et al, ). Interestingly, several studies have shown effects of ginsenosides in protecting and proliferating EC (Ahn, Hong, Kim, & Kwon, ; Shin, Yoon, Oh, & Ryoo, ), which will be beneficial in DES development.…”

“…Interestingly, several studies have shown effects of ginsenosides in protecting and proliferating EC (Ahn, Hong, Kim, & Kwon, 2013;Shin, Yoon, Oh, & Ryoo, 2013), which will be beneficial in DES development.…”