Nerve Growth Factor-like Immunoreactive Substance in Panax ginseng Extract

Abstract

Panax ginseng extract contains nerve growth factor-like immunoreactive substance (Panax ginseng NGF) that is cross-reactive with anti-mouse NGF IgG. Panax ginseng NGF-like substance and mouse NGF are almost equivalent with respect to their neurite outgrowth-stimulating activity and are immunologically indistinguishable. The molecular weight of Panax ginseng NGF-like substance estimated by the gel filtration method is identical with that of mouse NGF. The isoelectric point of Panax ginseng NGF is about 9.1, like that of mouse NGF. These results suggest that the root of Panax ginseng contains a biologically active NGF-like immunoreactive substance.