Ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5 exert inhibitory effects on arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, according to a study published in the Journal Pharmazie.
Ginsenosides are natural compounds extracted from Araliaceae plants like Panax ginseng. As the metabolite of prototype ginsenosides, rare ginsenosides exhibit pharmacological activities in many aspects, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue and analgesic effects. Scientists have identified at least 30 rare ginsenosides, including Rk2、Rh3、Rh2、Rg3、Rg5、Rk1、Rk3、Rh1、Rh4、aPPT、aPPD.
The study was conducted by researchers from College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University in Korea. The researchers evaluated the inhibitory activities of ginsenosides Rk1, Rg5, 20(S)-Rg3, and 20(R)-Rg3 against platelet aggregation. The results showed that Ginsenoside Rk1 and Rg5 were found to be 8-22 fold more inhibitory against platelet aggregation than that of a known antiplatelet drug acetylsalicylic acid, but ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 and 20(R)-Rg3 showed poor inhibitory activity.
The study suggests that ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5 can be potent platelet aggregation inhibitors. For those People with stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol, in addition to developing a healthy and regular diet and exercise, and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, taking some supplement containing ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5 is desirable.
Pharmaceutical companies see the potentials of rare ginsenosides and they have shown interest in the application of rare ginsenosides. Nowadays, products containing multiple rare ginsenosides like Rk2, Rh3, aPPD, Rh2 and Rg3 are available on the market.