Pharmacological sequential trials for the fractionation of components with hypoglycemic activity in alloxan diabetic mice from ginseng radix.

Three methods of fractionation of ginseng radix (Panax ginseng C.A. MEYER) components for a survey of hypoglycemic principle in alloxan diabetic mice were conducted and three groups of hypoglycemic principle in alloxan diabetic mice were conducted and three groups of components tested; fat-soluble components, ginseng saponins and a third component with hypoglycemic activity. Pharmacological sequential trials of the fractionation yielded a most active fraction which was about 100-fold more effective than the original water-soluble extract of the ginseng radix. The ED50 value was 0.4 mg/kg in lowering the blood level of glucose in alloxan diabetic mice. It was demonstrated that some ginseng fractions inhibited epinephrine-induced transient hyperglycemia in mice, increased glycogen content in rat liver, decreased the blood level of acetone bodies in alloxan diabetic mice, and inhibited the release of free fatty acid from rat epididymal fat pad. The results showed that hypoglycemic components existed in a new component of ginseng radix which is different from saponin.