Shigeru Arichi

Effects of Various Ginseng Saponins on 5-Hydroxytryptamine Release and Aggregation in Human Platelets

Abstract— The effects of various ginseng saponins isolated from red ginseng roots, on aggregation and 5‐hydroxytryptamine release (5‐HT) human platelets have been investigated. Among the six saponins tested, only ginsenoside Rg1 inhibited adrenaline‐ and thrombin‐induced platelet aggregation and 5‐HT release dose‐dependently, at concentrations of 5 to 500 μg mL−1. Ginsenoside Rg1 had no effect on adrenaline‐ and thrombin‐induced arachidonic acid release and diacylglycerol production. But it did reduce the elevation of cytosolic free calcium concentration (Ca2+)i shown in the second phase induced by adrenaline and thrombin, at concentrations of 10 to 500 μg mL−1. Those data suggest that the inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on 5‐HT release from, and aggregation of, platelets might be due to the reduction of (Ca2+)i elevation at the second phase induced by adrenaline and thrombin. The results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 in red ginseng roots may be active as a drug in the treatment of artheroscleorosis and thrombosis.