Stimulatory effect of Panax ginseng principles on DNA, RNA, protein and lipid synthesis in rat bone marrow.

Effects of extract fraction 3 and 4 from the root of Panax ginseng on bone marrow cells of the rat were investigated. Oral administration of fraction 3 and addition of fraction 4 in vitro stimulated DNA, protein and lipid synthesis in bone marrow cells. The stimulatory effect was reduced by pretreatment of cycloheximide. Single i.p. injection of fraction 4 also increased DNA and RNA synthesis. Numbers of mitosis were increased by oral administration of fraction 3. Extent of the increase was almost equal in both myeloid and erythoid. Numbers of total nucleated cells in bone marrow and reticulocytes in peripheral blood were significantly increased. The hematopoiesis-stimulating action of Panax ginseng and its mechanism of the action were discussed.