Monodesmosides

Yata N, Sugihara N, Yamajo R, et al. Enhanced small intestinal absorption of P-lactam antibiotics in rats in presence of monodesmosides from pericaps of Sapindus mukurossi (Ennmei-hi). J Pharmacobio-Dyn 1986 9 211-217. 

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. 

Yata, N., et al. 1985. Enhanced rectal absorption of (3-lactam antibiotics in rat by monodesmosides isolated from pericarps of Sapindus mukurossi (Enmei-hi). J Pharmacobiodyn 8 1041. 

Extraction of the dry plant material is most efficiently achieved using methanol or aqueous methanol. Depending on the proportion of water used for extraction, mixtures of either monodesmosidic or bidesmosidic saponins may be obtained [20]. 

TMs treatment produced seleaive cleavage of ester linkages. Satisfactory results were obtained with O.S M potassium hydroxide [21] in a sealed tube for 75 min. After acidification wth HCl (pH = 5), the monodesmoside was extracted with n-BuOH. 

The isolated triterpenoid saponins were found to be either of the saikosaponin type or the oleanolic acid type. Ten triterpenoid saponins were monodesmosidic, with a sugar chain at the C-3 position of the aglycone. A bidesmosidic saponin (sandrosaponin IX) showed sugar chains at C-3 (ether linkage) and also at C-28 (ester linkage). 

Saponins have been considered toxic for different organisms. Meyer et ah (1990) found toxicity to brine shrimp. Woldemichael and Wink (2001) found monodesmoside saponins hemolytically active. The hemolysis may be produced by the interaction of the saponins with membranes, producing pores that lead to rupture of the (Seeman et ah, 1973). Kuljanabhagavad et ah (2008) described mainly saponins with an aldehyde group as cytotoxic in HeLa (cervix adenocarcinoma) cell line. 

In vitro antileishmanial activity has been reported for saponins of Hedera helix on promastigote and amastigote forms from Leishmania infantum and L. tropica. Monodesmosides were found to be as effective on promastigote forms as the reference compound (pentamidine) whereas the bidesmosides have shown no effect [222]. Spiroconazole A (77), a spirostane saponin produced a dose-dependent inhibition of lesion caused by Leishmania panamensis in hamster [109]. Mimengoside A and budlejasaponin (62, 62a), two saikosaponins showed antileishmanial activity with a LCioo at 25 p.g/ml and 40 p.g/ml respectively (LC o of positive control = 5p.g/ml) [107, 108]. 

Twenty nine steroidal saponins have been evaluated for their inhibitory effects on human spermatozoa motility in vitro according to a modified Sander-Cramer method [233]. Spirostane-type saponins have stronger inhibitory activities than those of furostane-type. The carbonyl group at C-12 and the double bond A (5,6) of the aglycone were important for the activity. The monodesmosidic saponin, diuranthoside B from Diuranthera major appeared the most active (motility of 45% at 0.1 mg/ml), almost equivalent to the commonly used spermicidal agent N-9. These results indicated the possibility of discovering natural spermicidal agents from steroidal saponins. Further work on the cytotoxic activity of these compounds are underway. 

Kalopanax pictus is a deciduous tree which grows in Eastern Asia. Kalopanax cortex has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatoidal arthritis. It has been showed that two hederagenin monodesmosides Kalopanaxsaponins -A and -I present in the extract of... 

With the exception of Avenae sativae herba, Rusci aciileati radix, Sarsaparillae radix (steroid saponins) most saponin drugs contain a complex mixture of monodesmosidic or bidesmosidic triterpene glycosides. 

---