The effects of Ginseng saponin on respiration and Na+, K+ content of rat cerebral cortex slices were investigated to determine the action of Ginseng saponin on brain cortex at cellular level. There are many reports for the study of Ginseng on central stimulatory action in experimental animals. The electrical stimulation of slices of cortex causes a loss of potassium. And the respiration is needed to maintain a supply of energy for active cation transport. The reduction in Qo2 is a consequence of primary cessation of active cation transport. Ginseng saponin stimulated respiration which was depressed by Morphine. But there was no significant change of electrolyte. It is suggested that the Ginseng saponin act rather on metabolic process than neural excitatory mechanism in vitro.
