Vinegar- processed ginseng radix improves metabolic syndrome induced by a high fat diet in ICR mice

Abstract

Ginseng has made a successful transition from the world of traditional tonic remedies to conventional medicine, and since the 1920s ginseng root has been documented to be effective in diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity. Based on this wide spectrum of activity we wondered whether ginseng root extract might also be effective in metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). In a series of investigations to develop a potential anti-MetSyn agent, we prepared a vinegar-processed form of ginseng radix (ginsam, GS) and compared its anti-MetSyn effects to those of non-processed ginseng radix (GR) in an ICR mouse model of MetSyn induced by a high fat diet. GR- and GS-treated mice (500 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) had an 81% and 90% decrease in insulin resistance respectively, compared to the high fat diet (HFD) control. White adipocyte size was dramatically reduced by 67% and 80% in GR- ahd GS-treated groups respectively, compared to the HFD fed control. This result was reflected by a marked inhibition of weight gain in GS-treated mice (GR vs. GS, 53% vs. 86%). Analysis of ginsenoside composition indicated that prosapogenin Rg3 might be responsible for the anti-MetSyn activity of GS. In conclusion, Vinegar-processed ginseng radix (GS) was found to have a significantly greater anti-MetSyn effect than ginseng radix, and we suggest that ginsam should be subjected to clinical trials in the future, and that the role of prosapogenin Rg3 in the anti-MetSyn effect of ginsam should be confirmed.

Red-Koji Fermented Red Ginseng Ameliorates High Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Disorders in Mice

“…It has been reported that fermentation with Phellinus linteus , Bifidus , or Lactobacillus fermentum shifts the chemical composition of ginsenosides and improves antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities [16,17,18,29,30,31]. On the other hand, Red-koji from Monascus species has been used as a medicinal food and fermentation source for other herbs in East Asia including China, Korea and Japan [19].…”

“…It has been reported that RG alleviates obesity-mediated metabolic disorders [10,15]. Moreover, fermentation of RG using a variety of edible microorganisms seems to further enhance the pharmacological efficacy of RG [16,17,18]. Red-koji prepared from Monascus species has traditionally been used as a medicinal food itself and/or as a fermentation source for other herbs in East Asia [19].…”

Asian ginseng enhances the anti-proliferative effect of 5-fluorouracil on human colorectal cancer: Comparison between white and red ginseng

“…Meyer, or Asian ginseng is a commonly used herb in Oriental countries for several purposes (Ang-Lee et al, 2001;Yun et al, 2007;Du et al, 2008). Ginseng reportedly has a myriad of demonstrated effects with regards to cancer, such as anti-angiogenesis, anti-proliferation and apoptosis (Sagar et al, 2006).…”

Chemical constituents and bioactivities of <i>Panax ginseng</i> (C. A. Mey.)

“…In 1984, it was reported that red ginseng saponin showed no significant change of high-density lipoproteincholesterol-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) level but it lowered plasma levels of total cholesterol and highly elevated those of triglyceride in Wistar male rats fed on a diet high in cholesterol and triglyceride (86). In 2006, it was identified that Rg 3 (15/16) might be effective in metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) by comparing the anti-MetSyn effect of vinegar-processed ginseng radix and non-processed ginseng radix in a high fat diet induced MetSyn ICR mouse model (87). In the same year, it was reported that red ginseng had a potent antithrombotic effect in vivo, which may be due to antiplatelet rather than anticoagulation activity, and its intake may be beneficial to individuals with high risk of thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases (88).…”