PNLIP and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: Total chikusetsusaponins isolated from P. japonicus may prevent high-fat-diet-induced increases in body weight and fat storage in adipose tissue by inhibiting intestinal absorption of dietary fat through the inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity, and the active components were identified here as chikusetsusaponins III and IV, 28-deglucosyl-chikusetsusaponins IV and V. The present study clearly indicated that the saponin fractions of P. japonicus rhizomes had a significant anti-obesity action and supports the traditional usage as a substitute drug for ginseng roots.