Anti-inflammatory effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng

Anti-inflammatory effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) were shown by depressing the increase of capillary permeability (induced by histamine and acetic acid) and the inflammatory edema of ear induced by dimethyl benzene in mice. The proliferation of granuloma (induced by subcutaneous implantation of plastic ring) and the carrageenin-induced edema of hind paws in rats were inhibited by PNS. Similar effects were seen in adrenalectomized rats. The anti-inflammatory effect of PNS in normal rats were stronger than that in adrenalectomized rats. The content of ascorbic acid in rat adrenal gland was decreased by PNS 200 mg/kg. PNS showed both direct and indirect anti-inflammatory effects and the latter seemed to act via pituitary and adrenocortical system.