The Present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Ginseng extract on the tension-area curve for stearic acid monolayer. At the same time, the effects of Ginseng extract on osmotic and mechanical fragility of human red cells and histamine release from rabbit leukocytes were studied, The results are summarized as follows. 1. The Ginseng alcohol extract was found to expand liquid expanded phase of stearic acid monolayer, thus it is speculated that this agent may be acting as a surface active substance. 2. Osmotic hemolysis was inhibited by the Ginseng alcohol extract and the same effect was also observed in the presence of Ginseng saponin. However, the Ginseng alcohol extract was found to decrease hematocrit ratio of the RBC suspension, therefore, the inhibition of the osmotic hemolysis by this agent may be secondary effect to the reduced cell volume. 3. The mechanical hemolysis was also inhibited by the Ginseng alcohol extract but the inhibition was independent of changes in hematocrit ratio. 4. Histamine release from rabbit leukocytes was significantly increased in vitro in the presence of the Ginseng alcohol extract.(p<0.05)
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