The impact of the administration of red ginseng (Panax ginseng) on lipid metabolism and free fatty acid profiles in healthy horses using a molecular networking approach

Young Beom Kwak; Hye Hyun Yoo; Jungho Yoon

doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1285000

The impact of the administration of red ginseng (Panax ginseng) on lipid metabolism and free fatty acid profiles in healthy horses using a molecular networking approach

Front Vet Sci. 2024 Jan 24:11:1285000. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1285000. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Young Beom Kwak¹, Hye Hyun Yoo², Jungho Yoon³

Affiliations

¹ Racing Laboratory, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju, Republic of Korea.
² Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology and College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea.
³ Equine Referral Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

This study investigated the potential benefits of the administration of red ginseng (RG) on lipid metabolism and the profiles of individual free fatty acids (FFAs) in healthy horses. Eight healthy horses, raised under similar conditions, were randomly divided into two groups, each comprising four horses. The experimental group received powdered RG (600 mg/kg/day) mixed with a carrier, and the control group received only the carrier. The parameters associated with lipid metabolism and probable adverse effects were evaluated in both groups after 3 weeks. The computational molecular networking (MN) approach was applied to analyze the FFA profiles. The results indicated that RG administration significantly reduced blood triglyceride levels in the experimental group. Analysis of the FFAs using MN revealed significant decreases in specific types of FFAs (C12:0, dodecanoic acid; C14:0, myristric acid; C18:1, oleic acid; C18:2, linoleic acid). RG consumption did not produce significant adverse effects on the renal, hepatic, and immune functions. Thus, RG was found to effectively modulate lipid metabolism and the levels of individual FFAs. The application of the MN for the analysis of FFAs represents a novel approach and can be considered for future research.

Keywords: free fatty acids; horses; lipid metabolism; molecular networking; red ginseng.

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Horse Industry Research Center of the Korea Racing Authority and the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(RS-2023-00217123).