Effect of ginseng saponins on cholesterol metabolism. I. The level and the synthesis of serum and liver cholesterol in rats treated with ginsenosides.

Abstract

The in vivo effect on cholesterol metabolism of ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, and -Rg1 purified from Ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng C.A. MEYER) was investigated. Four hours after the intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg of each pure ginsenoside into rats, the concentrations of serum and liver cholesterol and the incorporation of 14C-acetate into serum and liver cholesterol were determined. The results indicated the enhancement of cholesterol biosynthesis by administered saponins, particularly by ginsenoside-Rb1, a predominant component of Ginseng saponins.