Characterization of hyperglycemia due to sub-chronic administration of red ginseng extract via comparative global proteomic analysis

Ann-Yae Na,Sangkyu Lee,Oh Kwang Kwon,Kyu Min Kim,Piljoung Cho,Sung Hwan Ki,Yan Gao,Jung Jae Jo,Ju-Hyun Kim

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-91664-8

Ann-Yae Na, Sangkyu Lee + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91664-8

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Abstract

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is commonly used as an herbal remedy worldwide. Few studies have explored the possible physiological changes in the liver although patients often self-medicate with ginseng preparations, which may lead to exceeding the recommended dose for long-term administration. Here, we analyzed changes in the hepatic proteins of mouse livers using quantitative proteomics after sub-chronic administration of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extract (control group and 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg KRG) using tandem mass tag (TMT) 6‐plex technology. The 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg KRG groups exhibited signs of liver injury, including increased levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the serum. Furthermore, serum glucose levels were significantly higher following KRG administration compared with the control group. Based on the upregulated proteins found in the proteomic analysis, we found that increased cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) levels promoted greater hydrogen sulfide (H2S) synthesis in the liver. This investigation provides novel evidence that sub-chronic administration of KRG can elevate H2S production by increasing protein expression of CBS and CSE in the liver.

Highlights

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is commonly used as an herbal remedy worldwide
We show that significantly higher cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) levels promote greater hydrogen sulfide (H2S) synthesis in the liver after sub-chronic administration of high-dose Korean red ginseng (KRG). H2S is thought to be an endogenously produced gaseous signaling molecule, similar
It was determined that glucose levels increased significantly, and serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and ALT levels were significantly higher in the 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg KRG groups, respectively, which indicated liver injury (Fig. 1B)

Summary

Introduction

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is commonly used as an herbal remedy worldwide. Few studies have explored the possible physiological changes in the liver patients often self-medicate with ginseng preparations, which may lead to exceeding the recommended dose for long-term administration. Physiological changes in the liver are commonly caused by the use of exogenous compounds such as drugs, herbs, and a lcohol[11] These liver toxicities are well screened clinically with indicators such as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)[12], and the two indicators are used to directly judge the effect of ginseng on liver function[13]. In this investigation, we show that significantly higher cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) levels promote greater hydrogen sulfide (H2S) synthesis in the liver after sub-chronic administration of high-dose KRG. In this investigation, we explored the protein dynamics in the livers of mice after sub-chronic KRG administration using proteomic analysis

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