Metabolic disturbance in Korean red ginseng-induced Shanghuo (excessive heat)

Authors Zhao, Ting; Yang, Zi; Mei, Xianxian; Xu, Li; Fan, Yongsheng

Journal JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY , MAY 10 2020,:253

DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112604 PubMed 31972326

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance: Northeast China is one of the Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) producing areas. As a health care product, KRG is popular amongst Chinese people. However, few studies have reported the side effects of overusing KRG.Aim of the study: The main purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG)induced Shanghuo (excessive heat).Materials and methods: After the baseline characteristics were evaluated, 30 healthy volunteers were administrated with 3g of KRG for 10-16 days and diagnosed with Shanghuo. The volunteers prior to the administration of KRG were considered as the control group. The volunteers after being diagnosed with Shanghuo (excessive heat) were considered as Shanghuo group. The two groups were assessed by the tests of serum metabolic products, Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, and mRNA expressions of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), PPARG Coactivator 1 Alpha (PGC-1 alpha) and Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (NRF1).Results: Most of the serum metabolites in the Shanghuo group were increased compared with the control group, from high to low including serine, valine, heptacosane, xylose, glycerol 1-monostearate, d-glucose, 3-pyridinol, glyceryl palmitate, urea, phosphoric acid, glycerol, stearic acid, palmitic acid, cyclohexaneacetic acid. Only cholesterol was significantly reduced, The SDH activity and the mRNA expressions of AMPK, PGC-1 alpha and NRF1 were significantly increased in the Shanghuo group.Conclusions: Overconsumption of KRG could induce Shanghuo, which has a close relationship with an accelerated TCA cycle and the increased AMPK activity.