title: Panax ginseng and Eleuthrococcus senticosus extracts--in vitro studies on binding to steroid receptors.
abstract: We have examined the binding of 44% saponin from Panax ginseng, and extracts from Eluthrococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) to classical steroid receptors in vitro. Both extracts had demonstrable affinity for progestin, mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors; the Siberian ginseng also bound to estrogen receptors. Highest affinity binding was to glucocorticoid receptors, with an approximate Ki of 8 x 10(-6) M for Panax ginseng. Such interactions may explain the reported glucocorticoid-like effects of ginseng in vivo.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001667:Binding, Competitive / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D005894:Panax / Q000378:metabolism; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism*; D012503:Saponins / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D012503:Saponins