The Effect of Ginseng on the Physical Performance and Lactic Acid Production in Mice

인삼(人蔘)이 흰 생쥐의 운동능력(運動能力) 및 유산생성량(乳酸生成量)에 미치는 영향(影響)

This experiment was carried out to observe a biological effect of ginseng on the weight gain, physical performance and lactic acid production after exercise in mice. A group of mice weighing about 19 gm was divided into ginseng and cotrol group. on the treadmill (Exp. I & II) and LDH activity of liver and heart homogenates (Exp. II) were determined. Results are summerized as follows; 1. Body weight gain was greater id ginseng group than in control and the difference was statistically significant at 9th and 16th days of experimental period. 2. Maximal running time of ginseng was found to be longer than that of control (p<0.05) in experiment I and the experiment II also revealed the significant increase in maximal running time in ginseng group. 3. Bloo lactate concentration of 48 hour-rest from physical exertion was lower in ginseng group than in control (p<0.05). 4. LDH activity in liver homogenate was lower compared to control group, but in heart homogenate, it was greater in ginseng group. Above findings may be concluded tat the range of biological dose (20 mg/mice/day) of ginseng powder stimulated the body weight gain and increase of physical performance and its mechanism might be attributable to a lower level of blood lactic acid. The adaptive change of LDH activity also contributed to the change in lactate level in blood and tissue.