Abstract
Treatment of rats with saponin (fraction 5) from the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. MEYER caused a decrease in the activity of hepatic serine dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.13). Maximum decrease in the enzyme activity was observed 2 hr after the administration of the ginseng saponin, and it was found that this response depended on the amount of fraction 5 administered to rats. In contrast, when the animals were starved, ginseng treatment resulted in an increased level of the enzyme.
