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
