Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Vaginal Blood Flow and Structure in Hypercholesterolemic Female Rats

Lee, Hyun Suk; Lee, Mi Na; Hwang, In Sang; Kim, Sun Ouck; Ahn, Kyuyoun; Park, Kwangsung

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of Korean Red Ginseng(KRG) on vaginal blood flow and histological changes in a hypercholesterolemic female rat model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the control(n=20) and the hypercholesterolemia(n=40). Hypercholesterolemia group was fed a high fat diet(2% cholesterol, 1% cholic acid, 5% coconut oil) for 12 weeks. The hypercholesterolemia group was further divided into the vehicle only and the KRG treatment(50 mg/kg/day) groups. After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, vaginal blood flow was measured by a laser Doppler flowmeter. Vaginal tissues were processed for histology and Western blot.
RESULTS
After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, serum cholesterol levels(mg/dl) were significantly increased in the hypercholesterolemia group(1185.0+/-736.1, 934.3+/-212.3) compared with the control group(69.7+/-19.5, 67.1+/-7.2), and partially decreased in KRG treatment group(688.2+/-251.5, 694.2+/-150.4), respectively. Vaginal blood flow(ml/min/100 g tissue) after pelvic nerve stimulation was lower in the hypercholesterolemia group(17.3+/-7.9, 17.9+/-5.5) compared with the control group(27.3+/-17.1, 26.9+/-16.4), however, the KRG treatment group(29.5+/-10.3, 27.4+/-11.1) was as high as the control group, respectively. The expressions of TGF-beta1 tended to increase in the vagina of the hypercholesterolemia animals compared to those of the control and the KRG treatment groups.
CONCLUSIONS
KRG treatment in hypercholesterolemic female rats decreased serum cholesterol levels and improved vaginal blood flow. These results suggest that KRG treatment may have a beneficial effect in women's sexual health.