THE ACTION OF GINSENOSIDES EXTRACTED FROM THE STEMS AND LEAVES OF PANAX GINSENG IN PROMOTING ANIMAL GROWTH

In this paper, the action of ginsenosides extracted from stems and leaves of ginseng (GSL) in promoting animal growth was investigated. When GSL was given ip or po to young mice or fats, a marked increase of body weight of the animals was, noted. Oral administration of GSL (40 or 80 mg/kg) was also effecive. In addition, GSL speeded up the growth of young pigs. It was found that the protein and RNA contents of muscles and liver in GSL-treated rats increased markedly, but no increase. of the weight of the prostate-seminal vesicle and levator ani-bulbocavernosus muscles was observed. It appears that the anabolic action of GSL is different from that the androgenic steroids. The promotion of animal growth of GSL is due to its direct influence on syntheses of RNA and protein. The acute and subacute toxicities of GSL were also reported.