THE EFFECT OF GINSENG SAPONIN FRACTIONS ON HUMORAL IMMUNITY OF MICE

To investigate the effect of ginseng saponin fractions (total saponin, diol saponin and triol saponin) on the antibody production and on the recovery of immunosuppression in mouse, chick -globulin was used as immunogen and CY(cyclophosphamide) as immunosuppressive drug. The effect of ginseng saponin fractions on the production of total serum protein was investigated also. Circulating antibody was measured with ELISA method. Total saponin, dial saponin and triol saponin resulted 4 times higher titer values compared to control group in the production of antibody but resulted no effect on the recovery of immunosuppression induced by CY. From the above results ginseng saponin fractions are believed to effect on intact immune system and to promote antibody production by helping the cooperations among lymphocytes or the growth of lymphocytes. And the increase of total serum protein has no direct relations with the increase of circulatory antibody.