Preventive Effects of Ginseng Against Atherosclerosis

"Inclusion Criteria" Patients were included if they 1. were aged 20 to 80 years; 2. had occlusion or severe stenosis (≥ 70%) of extracranial carotid artery and major intracranial arteries (intracranial carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, intracranial vertebral, basilar, or posterior cerebral artery) as documented by cerebral catheter angiography; 3. had any risk factor for stroke, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, alcohol drinking, or previous stroke history; 4. had no adverse reactions to administration of ginseng; and 5. agreed to participate in the trial. "Exclusion Criteria" Patients were excluded if they 1. did not agree to participate in the trial; 2. had any genetic cerebrovascular diseases; 3. had adverse reactions to contrast medium; 4. were pregnant or planning to be pregnant; 5. had a history of cardioembolic stroke; 6. had an emboligenic cardiac disease such as atrial fibrillation, valve disease, congestive heart failure, or recent myocardial infarction; 7. had a risk of stroke of other determined etiology according to the TOAST classification; 8. had undergone any neurointervention procedure or surgery, such as intra-arterial thrombolysis, angioplasty procedures, carotid endarterectomy, or bypass surgery; 9. had chronic kidney disease (GFR \< 30 ml/min); or 10. had severe hepatic dysfunction.