Comparison of the effects of Korean ginseng and heat-processed Korean ginseng on diabetic oxidative stress.

To investigate the effects of Korean ginseng (KG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and heat-processed Korean ginseng (H-KG) on diabetic renal damage, we used the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model in this study. The diabetes-induced physiological abnormalities at early-stage were attenuated by KG or H-KG administration through reducing the blood glucose level and improving renal function. The oxidative stress-induced increases in serum and renal thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels were significantly reduced by KG and H-KG administrations. Moreover, the protein expressions related to oxidative stress and advanced glycation endproducts were significantly reduced in diabetic rats and/or not significantly increased compared to normal rats by KG or H-KG administration. All of these beneficial effects of H-KG in diabetic rats were stronger than those of KG. Therefore, KG and H-KG may improve diabetic pathological conditions and prevent renal damage associated with diabetic nephropathy, and these protective effects of KG can be improved by heat-processing. This study provides scientific evidence that H-KG may be a potential therapeutic agent for pathological conditions associated with diabetic complications including diabetic nephropathy.