Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2025; 122(8): e20240685

Chronic Treatment with Panax ginseng and Angelica keiskei Decreases Blood Pressure and Improves Endothelial Function in Ovariectomized Rats

Nayara Formenton da Silva, Luis Henrique Oliveira de Moraes , Camila Pereira Sabadini, Rita Cristina Cotta Alcântara, Patrícia Corrêa Dias, Gerson Jhonatan Rodrigues

DOI: 10.36660/abc.20240685i

This Original Article is referred by the Short Editorial "Herbal Therapy in Post-Menopause".

Abstract

Background

Menopause is a natural physiological process that can impact various systems and organs, often leading to increased blood pressure. The combination of Panax ginseng and Angelica keiskei (Pg + Ak) is a formulation known to improve vascular function.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of these combined plants on cardiovascular parameters in female rats experiencing menopause induced by ovariectomy.

Methods

Twenty-four 70-day-old female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-operated (Sham), ovariectomized (OVX), and ovariectomized with Pg + Ak treatment (OVX + Pg + Ak). The rats in the Pg + Ak treatment group received an intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg/day for two weeks. Blood pressure was measured using tail plethysmography, and endothelial function was assessed through vascular reactivity tests.

Results

At the end of the treatment, mean blood pressure in the SH group was lower than in the control group (OVX), and the Pg + Ak treatment improved the endothelial dysfunction caused by ovariectomy. This was evident in the restored endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the aortic rings of the OVX rats treated with Pg + Ak compared to untreated OVX rats.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the Pg + Ak combination effectively reduces blood pressure and reverses endothelial dysfunction in ovariectomized rats.