Linking biological activity with herbal constituents by systems biology-based approaches: effects of Panax ginseng in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats
2011
Although a number of animal experiments and clinical trials have investigated the
effects of ginseng roots on diabetes, the relationship between its therapeutic effects on
diabetes and the quality and the growth age of this herb have not yet been reported.
This study systematically investigated the effects of 3- to 6-y-old ginseng roots on
glycemic and plasma lipid control in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.
Six groups of male Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats received either metformin, 3- to 6-y-old
ginseng root, or no treatment. The treatments were administered twice daily for 9
weeks. A combined approach was used that involved applying liquid
chromatography–mass spectrometry-based lipidomics, measuring biochemical
parameters and profiling the components of ginseng roots of different ages. Compared
to the untreated controls, treatment with 4- and 6-y-old ginseng roots significantly
improved glucose disposal, and 5-y-old ginseng treatment significantly increased high
density lipoprotein cholesterol. Treatment with 6-y-old ginseng significantly
decreased total plasma triacylglyceride (TG) and very-low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol and improved plasma glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). In addition,
treatment with 4- to 6-y-old ginseng influenced plasma lipidomics in diabetic GK rats
by reducing TG lipid species. Metformin significantly reduced fasting blood glucose
by 41% and reduced HbA1c by 11%, but showed no effects on the plasma lipid
parameters.
The present study demonstrates that ginseng roots show growth age-dependent
therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic GK rats. These
age-dependent effects may be linked with the variation in both the ratios and
concentrations of specific bioactive ginsenosides in ginseng roots of different growth
ages. This study introduced novel systems biology-based approaches for linking
biological activities with potential active components in herbal mixtures.
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