Evaluation and Standardization of Ginseng and it's Components for Blood Pressure Regulation

Summary

Ginseng has been used for many years in a wide array of anecdotal medicinal properties. Animal and limited clinical research points to the vascular effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG). The present project aims to assess the efficacy of KRG and contribution of its factionated components on various indices of vascular function in healthy individuals. Our primary objective is to compare the acute effects of KRG and placebo on endothelial function. Moreover, our secondary objective is to evaluate the effect of isolated KRG factions on arterial stiffness, blood pressure and vasoactive markers. We hypothesize that (1) consumption of KRG will cause an improvement in endothelial function in healthy individuals, as compared to placebo; (2) consumption of KRG will cause an improvement in arterial stiffness and blood pressure in healthy individuals, as compared to placebo; (3) the ginsenoside faction of KRG is primarily responsible for the anticipated vascular effects.

Conditions

• Hypertension
• Blood Pressure
• Endothelial Function

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Korean Red Ginseng

Cultivated KRG-B (central body Korean Red Ginseng) obtained from Kyonggi-do Farm, Kyonggi-do Province, Korea. Dosage form: whole root in capsules (3g)

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Cultivated KRG-B (central body Korean Red Ginseng) obtained from Kyonggi-do Farm, Kyonggi-do Province, Korea. Dosage form: total ginsenoside fraction in capsules

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Cornstarch

Placebo

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Korean Red Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)

Cultivated KRG-B (central body Korean Red Ginseng) obtained from Kyonggi-do Farm, Kyonggi-do Province, Korea. Dosage form: total polysaccharide fraction (panaxans) in capsules

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

  collaborator OTHER

• Unity Health Toronto

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Vladimir Vuksan, PhD · St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto

• Alexandra Jenkins, PhD · Unity Health Toronto

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2007-11-30

Primary Completion

2008-04-30

Completion

2008-04-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations