Cholesterol-modulating effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) targeting PCSK9 in hyperlipidemia
Abstract Hyperlipidemia represents a major global health concern, closely linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome. Effective regulation of blood lipid and cholesterol (CHO) is essential for preventing and managing this condition. Korean red ginseng (KRG), a traditional medicina...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15863-3 |
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| author | Chang Hwan Lee Yong Yook Lee Jin Sun Jung Sun Hee Hyun Jaehoon Lee Ji-Hye Park Soo Kyung Park Seung Ho Lee |
| author_facet | Chang Hwan Lee Yong Yook Lee Jin Sun Jung Sun Hee Hyun Jaehoon Lee Ji-Hye Park Soo Kyung Park Seung Ho Lee |
| author_sort | Chang Hwan Lee |
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| description | Abstract Hyperlipidemia represents a major global health concern, closely linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome. Effective regulation of blood lipid and cholesterol (CHO) is essential for preventing and managing this condition. Korean red ginseng (KRG), a traditional medicinal plant, exhibits diverse pharmacological properties, including antihyperlipidemic, immune-enhancing, anti-fatigue, and antistress effects. While previous studies suggest that KRG reduces lipid levels and may lower the risk of hyperlipidemia and CVD, its precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, proteomic analysis revealed that KRG modulates proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in the blood of KRG-administered rats. In hyperlipidemic animal models induced by Triton WR-1339 and a high-fat diet (HFD), KRG treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol (TCHO), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Furthermore, KRG regulated PCSK9 expression and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), key regulators of LDL metabolism, in hepatic tissues. These findings indicate that KRG exerts lipid-lowering effects by modulating PCSK9 and LDLR expression, thereby regulating cholesterol metabolism through the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2)/PCSK9/LDLR signaling pathway. This study establishes KRG’s potential as a novel therapeutic agent for preventing and managing hyperlipidemia and CVD. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e70ec4aa0722440a9f2e3aa75ab64e14 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e70ec4aa0722440a9f2e3aa75ab64e142025-08-24T11:18:44ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-15863-3Cholesterol-modulating effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) targeting PCSK9 in hyperlipidemiaChang Hwan Lee0Yong Yook Lee1Jin Sun Jung2Sun Hee Hyun3Jaehoon Lee4Ji-Hye Park5Soo Kyung Park6Seung Ho Lee7The Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng CorporationThe Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng CorporationThe Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng CorporationThe Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng CorporationThe Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng CorporationThe Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng CorporationThe Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng CorporationThe Korean Ginseng Research Institute, Korea Ginseng CorporationAbstract Hyperlipidemia represents a major global health concern, closely linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome. Effective regulation of blood lipid and cholesterol (CHO) is essential for preventing and managing this condition. Korean red ginseng (KRG), a traditional medicinal plant, exhibits diverse pharmacological properties, including antihyperlipidemic, immune-enhancing, anti-fatigue, and antistress effects. While previous studies suggest that KRG reduces lipid levels and may lower the risk of hyperlipidemia and CVD, its precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, proteomic analysis revealed that KRG modulates proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in the blood of KRG-administered rats. In hyperlipidemic animal models induced by Triton WR-1339 and a high-fat diet (HFD), KRG treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol (TCHO), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Furthermore, KRG regulated PCSK9 expression and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), key regulators of LDL metabolism, in hepatic tissues. These findings indicate that KRG exerts lipid-lowering effects by modulating PCSK9 and LDLR expression, thereby regulating cholesterol metabolism through the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2)/PCSK9/LDLR signaling pathway. This study establishes KRG’s potential as a novel therapeutic agent for preventing and managing hyperlipidemia and CVD.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15863-3Korean red ginsengHyperlipidemiaSREBP2PCSK9LDLRProteomics |
| spellingShingle | Chang Hwan Lee Yong Yook Lee Jin Sun Jung Sun Hee Hyun Jaehoon Lee Ji-Hye Park Soo Kyung Park Seung Ho Lee Cholesterol-modulating effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) targeting PCSK9 in hyperlipidemia Scientific Reports Korean red ginseng Hyperlipidemia SREBP2 PCSK9 LDLR Proteomics |
| title | Cholesterol-modulating effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) targeting PCSK9 in hyperlipidemia |
| title_full | Cholesterol-modulating effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) targeting PCSK9 in hyperlipidemia |
| title_fullStr | Cholesterol-modulating effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) targeting PCSK9 in hyperlipidemia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cholesterol-modulating effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) targeting PCSK9 in hyperlipidemia |
| title_short | Cholesterol-modulating effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) targeting PCSK9 in hyperlipidemia |
| title_sort | cholesterol modulating effects of korean red ginseng krg targeting pcsk9 in hyperlipidemia |
| topic | Korean red ginseng Hyperlipidemia SREBP2 PCSK9 LDLR Proteomics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15863-3 |
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