This study reports that “the saponins from
ginseng, ginsenosides, have been shown to relax blood vessels (probably
contributing to the antifatigue and blood pressure-lowering effects of
ginseng) and corpus cavernosum (thus, for the treatment of men suffering
from erectile dysfunction).”
Nitric oxide signaling pathway
Nitric oxide, human diseases
and the herbal products
that affect the nitric oxide signaling pathway.
F.I. Archike, C. Y. Kwan, Clinical Sciences Section,
International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2003 Sep;30(9):605-15.
1. Nitric oxide (NO) is formed enzymatically from l-arginine
in the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Nitric oxide is generated
constitutively in endothelial cells via sheer stress and blood-borne
substances. Nitric oxide is also generated constitutively in neuronal cells
and serves as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in non-adrenergic,
non-cholinergic nerve endings. Furthermore, NO can also be formed via enzyme
induction in many tissues in the presence of cytokines. 2. The ubiquitous
presence of NO in the living body suggests that NO plays an important role
in the maintenance of health. Being a free radical with vasodilatory
properties, NO exerts dual effects on tissues and cells in various
biological systems. At low concentrations, NO can dilate the blood vessels
and improve the circulation, but at high concentrations it can cause
circulatory shock and induce cell death. Thus, diseases can arise in the
presence of the extreme ends of the physiological concentrations of NO. 3.
The NO signalling pathway has, in recent years, become a target for new drug
development. The high level of flavonoids, catechins, tannins and other
polyphenolic compounds present in vegetables, fruits, soy, tea and even red
wine (from grapes) is believed to contribute to their beneficial health
effects. Some of these compounds induce NO formation from the endothelial
cells to improve circulation and some suppress the induction of inducible
NOS in inflammation and infection. 4. Many botanical medicinal herbs and
drugs derived from these herbs have been shown to have effects on the NO
signalling pathway. For example, the saponins
from ginseng, ginsenosides, have been shown to relax blood vessels (probably
contributing to the antifatigue and blood pressure-lowering effects of
ginseng) and corpus cavernosum (thus, for the treatment of men suffering
from erectile dysfunction; however, the legendary aphrodisiac
effect of ginseng may be an overstatement). Many plant extracts or purified
drugs derived from Chinese medicinal herbs with proposed actions on NO
pathways are also reviewed.
PMID: 12940876 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
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