Effects of Ginseng Saponin on Modulation of Multidrug Resistance

Multidrug resistance (MDR) has been a major problem in cancer chemotherapy. To overcome this problem, we prepared minor ginsenosides stereoselectively from ginseng saponins and searched for a ginseng component which is effective for inhibition of MDR. MDR inhibition activity was determined by measuring cytotoxicity to MDR cells using multidrug resistant human fibrocarcinoma KB V20C, which is resistant to 20 nM vincristine and expresses high level of mdr1 gene. Of several ginseng components, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg_3$, a red ginseng saponin, was found to have the most potent inhibitory activity on MDR and it's concentration capable of inhibiting 50% growth was $82\muM$.