Hepatoprotective saponin

Some oleanolic acid-type saponins were known to exhibit similar hepatoprotective activity [4, 7, 32, 42, 43, 44-46]. We also reported the hepatoprotective activity of Palustroside in which has a glucosyl carboxy group at C-28 [47]. As a part of our continuing study, we examined the preventive effects of five oleanolic acid-type glucuronides (90-95), Fig. (8), isolated from Dumasia tnmcata (Table 3) [48]. 

Furthermore, since one of the saponins showed strong cytotoxicity in these experiments, we also examined the cytotoxicity toward hepatocytes without antiserum. Moreover, from the standpoint of the structure-hepatoprotective and -hepatotoxic relationships for the carboxyl group at C-28, oleanolic acid 3-Oglucuronide (96) and oleanolic acid 28-Oglucoside (97) were prepared and tested. 

The information that the hydroxy group at C-29 reduced activity was similar to that on the structure-hepatoprotective relationship. In contrast, the sugar moiety in the E-ring enhanced anti-complementary activity. Further, we tested some oleanolic acid-type glucuronic acids. Although bisdesmosidic saponins showed moderate anti-complementary activity, a monodesmosidic saponin (9 4) showed cyototoxicity. 

The pharmacologically active constituents of these Astragalus belong to two different kinds of chemical compounds, polysaccharides and saponins, and the most interesting pharmacological properties are hepatoprotective, immunostimulant and antiviral. 

The crude saponin mixture of Bupleurum fruticosum and the saikogenin F-triglycoside (buddleyasaponin IV) (61) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective effect as compared with silybin against Gal-N cytotoxicity [66]. 

Table 1. Hepatoprotective Activity of Crude Saponin from Puerariae Lobatae Radix...

Documented effects In experiment on animals (mice and rats), the preparation Dipsacozide (total plant saponins) was nontoxic and caused short-term decrease in arterial pressure. It noticeably raised the animals tolerance to hypoxia, as found in foothill and high mountain conditions. In lipid metabolism Dipsacozide caused results similar to the known preparation Polysponin, and it also had hepatoprotective abilities (Alimbaeva et al. 1986). 

Given their structural relationship to steroids, many saponins are renowned for their anti-inflammatory effects. Among the most potent are saikosaponins from Bupleurum falcatum and boswellic acid from Boswellia serrata. Saikosaponins are also immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective. Some saponins have been found to reduce... 

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