Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Central Blood Pressure in Patient With Essential Hypertension

Randomized Control Clinical Trial for Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Central Blood Pressure in Patient With Essential Hypertension

The purpose of this study is to determine Korean red ginseng (KRG)treatment could decrease central blood pressure in subjects with hypertension.

Participants with hypertension who were treated with antihypertensive agents were randomly assigned to an active (KRG 2 g/day) or a placebo treatment group in a double-blind cross over manner.

Participants were not allowed to change their antihypertensive medications except safety issue. Brachial systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), Central SBP and DBP will measured at baseline,at 2 and 4 months.

Efficacy and safety data will be monitored by Daegu Catholic University Medical Center Institutional Review Board and reported to the Korean Ginseng Society.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Essential hypertension
• diastolic blood pressure 100 mmHg or less and systolic blood pressure 160 mmHg or less

Exclusion Criteria:

• Secondary hypertension
• Serum creatinin above 1.5 mg/dL
• aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferaseALT above two times upper normal limits
• Uncontrolled diabetes (Hb A1c < 9%)
• Acute myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease intervention within six months
• Moderate to severe congestive heart failure
• HIV positive
• Immunocompromized host
• Allergy to Korean red ginseng
• Pregnancy or plan to pregnancy
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Attend to other clinical trial within 12 weeks