The effects of ginseng saponin on the activity, phosphorylation, [$^{3}$H] ouabain binding and light scattering (disruption) of purified $Na^{+}$ ,$K^{+}$ -ATPase isolated from the outer medulla of sheep kidney were compared to those of gypsophila saponin, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), and Triton X-100 on the same parameters. $Na^{+}$ , $K^{+}$ -ATPase activity, phosphorylation, and [$^{3}H$] ouabain binding were inhibited by ginseng saponin (triol>total>diol), SDS, or Triton X-100, but increased by gypsophila saponin. Low doses of ginseng saponin (3.mu.g saponin/.mu.g protein) decreased phosphorylation sites and ouabain binding site concentration (Bmax) without any change of turnover number and affinity for ouabain binding which were decreased by high dose of ginseng saponin (over 10.mu.g saponin/.mu.g protein), SDS or Triton X-100. On the other hand, gypsophila saponin increased the affinity without any change of Bmax for ouabain binding. Inhibition of $Na^{+}$ ,$K^{+}$ -ATPase activity by ginseng saponin and SDS or Triton X-100 appeared before and after decrease in light scattering, respectively. These data suggest that ginseng saponins (total, diol, triol saponin) inhibit $Na^{+}$ , $K^{+}$ -ATPase activity by specific direct and general detergent action at low and high concentrations, respectively, and this inhibitory action of ginseng sapornin to $Na^{+}$ , $K^{+}$ -ATPase is not general action of all saponins.