Therapeutic mechanisms of ginseng in coronary heart disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Coronary heart disease (CHD), a major manifestation of cardiovascular disease, stems from myocardial ischemia due to coronary atherosclerosis.
• CHD prevalence is rising globally due to lifestyle and dietary shifts.
• Ginseng, a long-established Chinese medicinal herb, has a history of use in food and traditional medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms by which ginseng alleviates coronary heart disease (CHD).
• To provide a reference for the clinical application of ginseng as an alternative CHD therapy.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article.
• It synthesizes existing research on ginseng's effects on cardiovascular health.
• Focuses on mechanisms of action relevant to CHD.

Main Results:

• Ginseng has demonstrated benefits for cardiac function in vivo.
• Observed effects include normalization of blood glucose, decreased blood pressure, reduced oxidative stress, and improved lipid profiles.
• Ginseng also mitigates platelet aggregation.

Conclusions:

• Ginseng exhibits multiple mechanisms beneficial for alleviating coronary heart disease (CHD).
• Further clinical development of ginseng as an alternative therapy for CHD is warranted.
• Ginseng represents a promising natural intervention for cardiovascular health.