How Ginseng-Douch Compound Helps Treat High Cholesterol

Jenn Hoskins
15th September, 2024

How Ginseng-Douch Compound Helps Treat High Cholesterol

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by the Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences found that Ginseng-Douchi (GD) significantly lowers lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats
  • Researchers identified nineteen potential biomarkers involved in various metabolic pathways, including linoleic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism
  • GD regulates key therapeutic targets (PIK3CA, AKT1, and EGFR) involved in lipid metabolism and cellular growth, providing a scientific basis for its lipid-lowering effects
Ginseng-Douchi (GD), a fermented product of ginseng and soybean, has shown potential in treating hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood. The underlying mechanisms of GD's lipid-lowering effects have remained unclear until recent research by the Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences aimed to elucidate these mechanisms[1]. Hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, making its management crucial. Traditional Chinese medicine has long utilized ginseng for its therapeutic properties, including lipid-lowering effects[2]. Previous studies have demonstrated that ginseng can improve blood lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels[2]. Additionally, saponins from Panax quinquefolium, a type of ginseng, have shown anti-obesity effects by inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity, which prevents the absorption of dietary fats[3]. The recent study on GD employed a combination of network pharmacology and metabolomics to explore its lipid-lowering mechanism. Researchers first established a hyperlipidemia model in rats induced by a high-fat diet to evaluate GD's therapeutic effects. The study found that GD exerted significant hypolipidemic effects, reducing lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats. To identify potential biomarkers, the researchers used serum metabolomics, a technique that studies the small molecules (metabolites) present in blood. They discovered nineteen potential biomarkers involved in various metabolic pathways, including linoleic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor biosynthesis. GD was found to have a regulatory effect on ether lipid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Network pharmacology, which combines bioinformatics and systems biology to understand drug actions, was used to identify potential therapeutic targets based on the blood-influencing components of GD. The analysis identified eighteen blood components associated with 85 potential therapeutic targets. Further joint analysis revealed three core therapeutic targets regulated by GD: PIK3CA, AKT1, and EGFR. These targets are involved in essential cellular processes, including lipid metabolism and cellular growth. This comprehensive approach of combining traditional Chinese medicine with modern scientific techniques provides a deeper understanding of how GD exerts its lipid-lowering effects. The findings align with previous studies that highlighted the beneficial effects of ginseng on lipid profiles[2][3]. Moreover, the study expands on earlier research by identifying specific metabolic pathways and molecular targets involved in GD's therapeutic action. In conclusion, the study by the Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences reveals that GD can effectively lower lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats through its influence on multiple metabolic pathways and core therapeutic targets. This research not only supports the traditional use of ginseng in managing hyperlipidemia but also provides a scientific basis for its efficacy, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for lipid management.

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References

Main Study

1) Study based on metabolomics and network pharmacology to explore the mechanism of Ginseng-Douch compound fermentation products in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Published 12th September, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.13858

Related Studies

2) Efficacy of Panax ginseng supplementation on blood lipid profile. A meta-analysis and systematic review of clinical randomized trials.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112090

3) Saponins (Ginsenosides) from stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolium prevented high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2008.07.002


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