Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Biosafety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea.
J Ginseng Res. 2012 Jan;36(1):16-26. doi: 10.5142/jgr.2012.36.1.16.
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.
人参是最广泛使用的草药之一，据报道具有广泛的治疗和药理学应用。人参在治疗心血管疾病方面也可能具有潜在的价值。有关心血管疾病的研究侧重于人参中纯化的单个人参皂甙成分，以揭示特定的机制，而不是使用全人参提取物。研究最多的人参皂甙是 Rb1、Rg1、Rg3、Rh1、Re 和 Rd。人参皂甙在治疗心血管疾病中的分子机制和医学应用引起了广泛关注，并有大量出版物对此进行了报道。在这里，我们综述了目前关于人参在这一领域的众多药理学功能和潜在益处的文献。细胞培养和体内动物模型的体外研究表明，人参通过多种机制具有潜在的心血管益处，包括抗氧化、调节血管舒缩功能、减少血小板黏附、影响离子通道、改变自主神经递质释放以及改善血脂谱。已经鉴定出大约 40 种人参皂甙。由于它们的化学结构不同，每种皂甙在药理学和机制上可能具有不同的作用。本综述还总结了人参对心血管影响的相关临床试验结果，特别是在高血压的治疗和改善心血管功能方面。
