The effect of ginseng on the ATPase activity of rabbit ref cell membrane has been investigated. The experiments were also designed to determine whether the components of ginseng could be attributed to the effect on ATPase activity which dependent upon sodium plus potassium and is sensitive to ouabain. The following results were observed. 1. The activity of the Na<sup>+</sup>-K<sup>+</sup>-ATPase from red cell membrane is stimulated by ginseng, and the concentration of ginseng for half-maximal activity is about 15 mg%. The pH optimum for the ginseng sensitive component is 7.6. 2. The portion of the enzyme activity stimulated by ginseng is completely abolished by ouabain. 3. The activating effect of ginseng on the ATPase, with a given concentration of sodium in the medium, is increased by raising the potassium concentration but activity ratio is decreased. 4. The activating effect of ginseng on the ATPase, with a given concentration of potassium in the medium, is increased by raising the sodium concentration but the activity ratio is decreased. 5. The ATPase activity is increased by small amounts of calcium but inhibited by larger amounts and the rate of activity by ginseng is constant. 6. The action of ginseng on the ATPase activity was not related to the sulfhydryl group of cysteine, the amino group of lysine, the imidazole group of histidine, the quanidinium group of arginine, the carboxyl group of aspartic acid, or the hydroxyl group of threonine. 7. The activating effect of ginseng on the ATPase activity may be not due to a saponin which is contained in ginseng.
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