Abstract
The effects of ginseng saponin on the transport of 3-O-methylglucose (=3-O-MG) in an isolated rat intestine were studied by using modified Wiseman's circulating unit. Gineseng saponin inhibited significantly the intestinal absorption of 3-O-MG when it was circulated together with ginseng saponin through the isolated intestine. Ginseng saponin was given to rats intraperitoneally and orally, and the intestine isolated from the rats after one and four hours was used for the study of glucose absorption. When buffer solution containing 3-O-MG was circulated through the isolated intestine isolated after one hour, whereas the absorption was increased in the intestine after four hours. The results indicate that intestinal absorption of 3-O-MG was inhibited when the saponin is contained in the same circulation medium. However, the inhibition of absorption was not significant in the intestine of rats which were previously exposed to the saponin orally or intraperitoneally.
