Enhancement and suppression in production of IgM-antibody in mice treated with purified saponins.

Effects of purified saponins on antibody production against SRBC antigen were investigated in adult mice by using the direct hemolytic plaque technique of Cunningham and Szenberg. Intravenous injection of ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rc, senegin-III, -IV or platycodin-D caused increase in antibody-producing cells. However, the same treatment with ophiopogonin-D, ginsenoside-Rd or glycoside-H2 suppressed antibody production. Immuno-suppression due to the latter three substances seemed not to be associated with cytocidal effect. Ophiopogonin-B and platycodin-C had no effects.