Download PDF
Planta Med 1994; 60(2): 153-157
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-959440
Papers

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Interactions of Ginseng Extract, Ginseng Separated Fractions, and Some Triterepenoid Saponins with Glucose Transporters in Sheep Erythrocytes

Hideo Hasegawa1 , 2 , Satoshi Matsumiya1 , Chikgae Murakami2 , Tomonori Kurokawa2 , Ryoji Kasai2 , Sadahiko Ishibashi2 , Kazuo Yamasaki2
  • 1Itto Institute of Life Science Research, Happy World Inc., Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

1993

1993

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The effects of Panax ginseng extract, ginseng saponins, and some other triterpenoid saponins on glucose uptake were examined by using sheep erythrocytes. Initial rates of glucose transport were determined by measurements of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) uptake. From kinetic analysis apparent Km and Vmax values of facilitated glucose transport in sheep erythrocytes were calculated as 2.3 ± 0.08 mM and 1.4 ± 0.05 nmol/min/109 cells. The results showed that ginseng extract stimulated glucose uptake in sheep erythrocytes dose-dependently. Ginseng saponins, in general, also stimulated glucose transport. The maximum effect was observed at 1 µM of ginsenoside Rb1 showing an increase of 24 ± 5 % above basal activity. However, ginsenoside Rg3, chikusetsusaponin Ia, and glycyrrhetic acid induced significant inhibitory effects on glucose transport in sheep erythrocytes.

Key words

Glucose transporter (GT) - sheep erythrocytes - 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) - Panax ginseng - Araliaceae - triterpenoid saponins