EFFECTS OF RED GINSENG ON PLATELET FUNCTION AND LIPID METABOLISM OR OVERWEIGHTED NONINSULIN-DEPENDENT

Backgrounds Diabetes mellitus is associated with accelerated atherosc lerosis and predispose to specific microvascular problems. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of red ginseng as adjunctive therapeutic agent of NIDDM especially in preventing chronic diabetic complications. Materials and Methods We treated 50 patients with NIDDM for 5 month with 2 regimens: 1)oralhypoglycemic drug therapy only(the control group), 2)oral hypoglycemic group). The patients were recruited at Korea university hospital from June, 1992 to October, 1992 and the following inclusion criteria were used: l)age above 35 years 2)initial body weight within or above ideal body weight 3)fasting blood glucose level greater than 140mg/dl 4)no previous history of diabetes mellitus or no history of blood glucose control for recent 3 months of more. The patients were seen every 2 weeks for remaining 3 months. At every visit FBS and PP2hr blood glucose were measured with blood pressure and body weight. Lipid profiles were checked every 4 weeks and platelet function test was perfomed with aggregometer after administration of ADP, epineprine and collagen every 4 weeks. Free fatty acid were also analyzed every 8 weeks and glycosylated hemoglobin was measured every 12 weeks. Results The results were as follows: 1. The mean values for fasting and PP2hr blood glucose decreased significantly in the control group than in the ginseng group. 2. The weight gain was less in the ginseng group than in the control group. The levels of systolic blood pressure decreased' significantly in the ginseng group than in the control group. 3. There was no significant differences of lipid profiles in both groups. 4. The platelet hyperaggregation was improved more significantly in the ginseng group than in the control group. Conclusions In patients with NIDDM who were recieving oral hypoglycemic drug therapy, the addition of red ginseng improved platelet function and blood pressure, but induced less weight gain. The data suggests that red ginseng may be useful as a therapeutic adjunct especially in preventing chronic complications of NIDDM.