The Effect of Ginseng Saponin on Amphetamine Action of Q02 and Na+, K+ Content in Cerebral Cortex Slices of Rat

The effect of Ginseng saponin on respiration, Na" and K+ content of rat cerebral cortex slice was investigated to determine the action of Ginseng saponin on brain cortex at cellular level. There are number of reports on the study of Ginseng concerning central stimulatory or inhibitory action of it's saponin in experimental animals. The following results were obtained in this study concerning the action of Ginseng saponin on the respiration and Na", K+ concentration in the brain cortex slices of the rat. It was observed that the respiration of rat brain slices following Ginseng saponin administration was decreased. QO. also reduced by amphetamine alone but Ginseng saponin stimulated respiration significantly which was depressed by previous amphetamine administration. Non-inulin Na tand K+ contents were reduced by Ginseng saponin together with amphetamine. There was increase in non-inulin Na" concentration by Ginseng saponin but no definite changes were observed in K+ concentration on same subject. It is suggested that the Ginseng saponin acts rather on metabolic process than neural excitatory mechanism in vitro. The possible effects of amphetamine and Ginseng saponin on the tissue respiration, electrolyte and QO. of rat brain slices were discussed