Blood Pressure Lowering Effect of Supplementation With Korea Red Ginseng Associated With Reductions in Circulating Lp-PLA2 Activity and Lysophospatidylcholines and an Increase in Dihydrobiopterin in Prehypertensive Subjects

This study evaluated effects of red ginseng consumption on blood pressure (BP) and fasting plasma metabolomes.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on nonobese, nondiabetic and prehypertensive subjects. Over a 12 week test period, the red ginseng group (n=31) consumed 10 capsules (total 5g) daily containing red ginseng, while the placebo group (n=31) consumed the same product without red ginseng. Fasting plasma metabolomes were profiled using UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Inclusion Criteria:

• nondiabetic, nonobese and prehypertensive subjects with blood pressures ranging 120 - 139 mmHg (systolic) or 80-89 mmHg (diastolic) were enrolled in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• exclusion criteria included previous diagnosed clinical hypertension
• self-reported use of antihypertensive medication
• abnormal liver or renal function
• history of cardiovascular disease
• kidney disease
• cancer
• thyroid or pituitary disease or any other serious life-threatening illness that required regular medical treatment
• we also excluded women who were pregnant, breast feeding or intending to become pregnant during the time of study.