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Planta Med 1981; 41(4): 351-358
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-971726
Research Articles

© Hippokrates Verlag Stuttgart

Effects of Ginseng Saponins on the Actions of Adrenaline, ACTH and Insulin on Lipolysis and Lipogenesis in Adipose Tissue

H. Ohminami1 , Y. Kimura2 , H. Okuda1 , T. Tani2 , S. Arichi1 , T. Hayashi3
  • 12nd Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ehime University, Onsen-gun, Ehime, Japan
  • 2The Research Institute of Oriental Medicine, School of Medicine, Kinki University, Minami-Kawachi-gun, Osaka, Japan
  • 3Koshiro Chuji Shoten, Co. Ltd., Dosho-machi, Higashi-ku, Osaka, Japan
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Studies were carried out to clarify the effects of ginseng saponins on the actions of adrenaline, ACTH and insulin on lipolysis and lipogenesis in adipose tissue. None of the ginseng saponins tested in the present experiments affected lipolytic actions of adrenaline in fat cells. Adreno-corticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-induced lipolysis in fat cells was inhibited by ginsenoside Rbc group, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rg group, Re, Rg1 and Rg2. Insulin-stimulated lipogenesis in adipose tissue slices was significantly reduced by ginsenoside Rbc group, Rb2, Rc, Rg group, Rg1, Rg2, and Rh1, while ginsenoside Rb1 and Re did not inhibit the lipogenesis. On the other hand propranolol inhibited both adrenaline and ACTH-induced lipolysis. In contrast to propranolol, ginsenosides Rb1 and Re selectively inhibited ACTH-induced lipolysis and Rh1 exclusively reduced lipogenesis in the presence of insulin.

Key Word Index

Panax ginseng - Araliaceae - Ginseng saponins - Adrenaline-induced lipolysis - ACTH-induced lipolysis - Insulin-stimulated lipogenesis - Fat cells