Histological Studies on the Degranulation of Mesenteric Mast Cells of the Rat by Water Extracts of Ginseng

ABSTRACT

Ever since Fujidani made his report in 1905, many workers have studied the chemical components of Panax Ginseng and their effects on depression of blood pressure. Ri1ey (1952) and other workers have demonstrated the degranulation of mast cells in experimental animaIs treated with some histamine liberators, and the existence of a histamine liberator in the water extract of ginseng has been demonstrated by pharmacological assay by Lee et aI (1960). This present study was intended observe the disruption and degranulation of mesenteric mast cells of rats administered the water extract of ginseng, which might contain the histamine liberator. Variab1e doses of the water extract were injected intraperitoneally, and the degranulation of mesenteric mast cells was histologically demonstrated by means of toluidin blue, Giemsa, May-Gr nwa1d and Wright's stains. Degranulation began in the experimental group given 4ml of the extract mixed with 16cc. of Tyrode solution; the severity of degranulation increased probably with the dose of the extract, and extreme degranulation took place in the groups injected with dose of 6 or 8ml of the extract.