Korean red ginseng inhibits arginase and contributes to endotheliumdependent vasorelaxation through endothelial nitric oxide synthase coupling

Woosung Shin, Jeongyeon Yoon, Goo Taeg Oh, Sungwoo Ryoo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)64-73
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Ginseng Research
Volume37
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2013

Keywords

  • Arginase
  • Endothelial nitric oxide synthase
  • Korean red ginseng water extract
  • Nitric oxide
  • Panax ginseng

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Korean red ginseng inhibits arginase and contributes to endotheliumdependent vasorelaxation through endothelial nitric oxide synthase coupling'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this