title: In vitro effect of Panax ginseng on phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte transformation.
abstract: The effect of hydrocortisone or Panax ginseng, and/or a combination of hydrocortisone and Panax ginseng on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-P)-induced transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied in 4 normal healthy adult volunteers. Increasing concentrations of Panax ginseng 0.16-1.60 micrograms X ml-1 caused a dose-related inhibition of PHA-P transformation of lymphocytes. A combination of 500 micrograms X ml-1 hydrocortisone and 0.80 micrograms X ml-1 Panax ginseng produced a greater suppression of PHA-P stimulation than either drug used alone. This suggests that Panax ginseng has a steroid-like effect in vitro, and may have a potentiating effect with hydrocortisone on T-cell-mediated immunity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000480:Alkynes; D053280:Diynes; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005894:Panax; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D053280:Diynes; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D037121:Plant Lectins; C028784:phytohemagglutinin-P; C018541:falcarinol; D006854:Hydrocortisone