THE EFFECT OF GINSENG ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RAT AND ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

To investigate the effect of ginseng on blood pressure (B.P.) in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and essential hypertension ginseng extract was given per se daily in 58 SHR and 35 essential hypertensive patients. SHR were divided into 5 groups according to the dosage of ginseng. In essential hypertension 1,000mg of ginseng extract was given. The B.P. in SHR was measured by tail cuff method. In essential hypertension side effect and changes in various laboratory examinations were evaluated. In SHR ginseng appeared to have hypertensive effect when it is given in small amount(10mg/kg). However, when it is given 60mg/kg/day or more difinite B.P. lowering effect was observed. The hypotensive effect was dosedependant and it lasted for 37days of observation. In essential hypertension in 12 $(80\%)$ among 15 patients hypotensive effect was seen with ginseng administration along and the effect lasted for 12 weeks. In the rest of hypertensive patients it is required addition of diuretics of other antihypertensive drugs to decrease B.P., no appreciable side effect was seen. In laboratory examinations no significant changes were seen except for serum cholesterol, ${\alpha}-and\;{\beta}-lipoprotein,$ and hematocrit. There was some evidence of relationship between plasma renin activity (PRA) and ginseng in hypotensive action.