Studies of Panax japonicus fibrinolysis.

The effects of a 70% methanol extract (PMe) obtained from the rhizomes of Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer on experimental thrombosis and fibrinolysis were investigated in vivo and in vitro. PMe showed a promotive effect on the activation of the fibrinolytic system as determined by the euglobulin lysis time (ELT) assay but was inactive to the inhibitory effect against endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in rats. PMe and its major components, chikusetsusaponin III, IV, and V, strongly promoted the action of urokinase in fibrin plate. These results suggested that PMe promotes the fibrinolysis and its effective components are chikusetsusaponin III, IV, and V.