The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effects of ginseng components on rat lens aldose reductase activity. Ginseng total saponin (GTS) exhibited inhibitory activities on rat lens aldose reductase in a dose-dependent manner. Among ginsenosides, Rf and Rgl showed potent inhibitory activities on rat lens aldose reductase. Lipid soluble fraction also inhibited rat lens aldose reductase activities. These data suggest that ginseng components inhibit rat lens aldose reductase activity in vitro.