Antigenicity Studies of the Aqueous Extract of Fresh Ginseng in Guinea Pigs

Aqueous extreact of fresh ginseng (AFG) was examined for the antigenicity in Hartley guinea pigs in comparision with ovalbumin (OVA). When guinea pigs were sensitized with AFG emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), these animals showed negative reactions in active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA), active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA) and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) tests and passive hemagglutination (PHA) reaction. On the contrary, when guinea pigs were sensitized with OVA emulsified with CFA as positive controls, these animals disclosed positive reactions in ASA, ACA and PCA tests and PHA reaction. From these results, AFG was considered not to possess antigenic properties in guinea pigs. In addition, the dose levels of AFG empolyed in the present experiment were confirmed not to suppress immune reactions.